Upon arrival, we had an opportunity to speak with the director, with whom we arranged for the purchase of a 2000 L stainless steel water tank and 2 pumps (one down at the pond and one after the tank), to be integrated into the nearly-completed pipeline. We then distributed the clothes and diapers to some of the buildings across the orphanage facility, where they were excitedly accepted. However, it is clear to me that the baby facility (the green building in the photos below) is in great need of many more diapers, which I hope to purchase next week.
We also looked at the situation of the piping; most of the pipe had been laid, except for a small stretch beside the road and up at the garden where the tank would be integrated with the system.
After all this, we began to finish setting up the drip line irrigation system. After attempting to clean out the header pipe by tilting it upward and shaking out any inside debris, we inserted the fittings and attached the lines of drip tape and trailed them down the rows of the garden. After completing this, we took a lunch break, and then drove around the corner and purchased some wire to make stakes to hold the drip tape in place. After creating several stakes, we laid them on the line, and then, using the water from a local well hooked into a hose, tested the system. We identified a few leaks, which we easily fixed, but were somewhat perplexed at the rapid rate of water dripping and the corresponding nearly minimal pressure measurement (the water pressure range for the drip tape is about 1 -2 bars). Regardless, this ensure the lines were relatively clean and that the system did indeed work. We then crimped the ends with some wire and made preparations for leaving as the afternoon was wearing on. Viet and I spoke with the Vice Director about restoring some facilities, and he suggested that a blue building near the medical facility was in need of repair. It was also clear to me that the green baby facility (previously referenced) could use some restoration and cleaning. We then got in the car and drove another hour and a half back to Hanoi.
It seems that Viet will be staying in Hanoi for some time and is excited to do some more service at Thuy An. I look forward to working with him this weekend as we shop for and plan more specifically the restoration portion of my project. I would also like to give special thanks to Mr. Buckner, whose gardening and practical knowledge were absolutely critical in pulling this irrigation system together. I also wanted to thank Mr. Rees, for his key guidance and language skills which were also so crucial for making my project possible. And I must again thank these two for their huge time commitments to my eagle project. I cannot thank them enough!