22137: O'Brien RE: 22102: jedidiah: more on the water situation, and the inundations(fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Martha O'Brien <mmcpeob@earthlink.net>

In addition to the Wynne farm cisterns for run-off, according to a book I
read recently (sorry--I can't remember the title and I'm not at home to go
find it) about the Baptist Mission above Port-au-Prince, they also had
several large cisterns which they used to supply themselves with water
during the dry season.  Since the book was written some time ago, I'm not
sure whether or not these cisterns are still being used, but the concept
was there, in any case.

As for ponds and lakes, in the area surrounding Pandiassou, near Hinche,
there are quite a few beautiful man-made ponds and lakes which have been
dug in the last decade.  In this time, water birds have returned to the
area, peasants have been able to use the lakes for irrigation and for
watering their animals, and there has been a certain amount of success with
fish farming.

On a smaller scale, I have seen the Little Sisters of the Incarnation in
Pandiassou collect roof run-off in large barrels and use the water for
watering plants, doing laundry, etc.

On the road from Port-au-Prince to Hinche, there are several places--not
too far beyond Goat Mountain, if I remember correctly, where I have seen
several constructions which look like some sort of method for collecting
water--does anyone know anything more about these?

I'm sure that there are other similar stories from various places scattered
around the country.  And, yes, wouldn't it be wonderful if some of these
ideas could take root and become the norm rather than the exception?!

Lastly, an amusing story.  A couple of years ago when I had a group of
students in Pandiassou, I suddenly heard squeals and laughter one rainy
evening.  Upon investigation, I found them all in their bathing suits and
all sudsed up scampering around in the run-off from a more or less flat
cement roof where the water had pooled up for awhile before running off.
Because the cement was hot and heated up the water, they were able to have
a "hot shower."  Not a particularly "green" use of the water, but certainly
ingenious and lots of fun!

Martha O'Brien