Charlie 3 – Rainwater Harvesting at Mosarahalla

Beccy C, Becky H and Kezi report live from C3...

Having laughed our way through our first week in Mosarahalla, we, the members of Charlie 3, can honestly say that we have the best project and the best team. From the moment we arrived, we became instant hits with the children, especially Holly (PARO!) and Beccy C, who has become the resident nanny!

Above: Beccy C with the local children

Asoka has won the hearts of the whole village, and has had several proposals of marriage – let’s hope they’re not too devastated when he leaves!

The view from the school we are staying in is breathtaking, looking over the reservoir with every shade of green imaginable and the local food is exquisite. Whilst living on a primarily vegan diet, Damien has found a suitable sugary supplement to his diet in the form of Tang, particularly mango flavor, which has left him with toothache as a result of excessive drinking!
The days consist of hard work building rainwater tanks – all 18 frames have been completed. The only major injuries from our work have occurred to accident-prone Kezi who has not only succeeded in getting cement in her eye, but also received a hit to the face with a spade by Holly on the day she was day leader – clearly she was a popular choice!!

Above: Damien, Gareth and Holly hard at work

Above Becky H and Abby at work

The other major excitement at work was when Becky H, Harry and Damien discovered a venomous and rather long snake in a pile of bricks. Damien was clearly not going to save Becky and took the every-man-for-himself strategy, claiming his fear for snakes afterwards. Harry nobly stepped forward to kill the snake, but was pulled away fast by a mason, who in the end did let him put in a smash (once the snake was dead!)

In the late afternoon, we make the daily trip to the reservoir, with Sophia leading the way regardless of the temperature of the water! Harsha and Vikas enjoy causing trouble and are the champions of water volleyball!

Above: Damien on the reservoir

By night, the Cluedo killings are occurring by the hour, especially with the invention of Ultimate Cluedo by Jija and Beccy C. Their invention of this game has brought levels of paranoia to new heights and due to the complicated rules has ensured that there can only be two winners – themselves!

Anne has been tied down all day every day with medical emergencies (not always, but mostly, our own!). As we write, Abby H is team leader and is holding a group meeting to decide who will be wally of the day. It will most probably be Kate, who is winning the tally at the moment, and wore a sari to lunch today with rather attractive walking boots underneath! Abby is following in large footsteps of Gareth who set a hard act to follow with his great games. Gareth is doing an excellent job of being a strong member of the workforce, along with the other boys!

Two days ago, a prominent member of our family, Kath, left us for fieldbase. We are missing her greatly, but had a great conversation with her after listening to Radio Raleigh last night! To pick us up, MJ has come to stay for the second half of the project, and we are all looking forward to spending more time with her!

A big shout out to all the other project groups, we are missing you all loads and can’t wait to see you all in Kerala before the adventure challenge! Keep smiling!