We wanted to give a bit of an update on what is happening here at Love Botswana regarding the flooding. In an effort to understand why the flooding is occurring, here are a few facts:
- During this time every year rain waters from Angola travel into the Okavango Delta. Due to the cycle of water from Angola, these waters are coming in at higher levels than normal because this cycle only occurs about every thirty years.
- The Boronayne is the river close to our property and it has not flowed across this plain since 1974.
- Currently the water is trying to make its way across the plain to the Boro River. Our property, as well as others, are in the path of this flow.
- We are building ditches to direct the path around our buildings; however as it makes its way across the plain, it ebbs and flows across the plain and as it ebbs, it is backing up into our ditches and overflowing.
- Having received predictions from the Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre concerning the possibility of an overflow, preparations were made last year to divert the potential flow coming to our property; however, the volume of water was much higher than everyone anticipated.
- For more information visit: www.eyesonafrica.net/updates/flood-update.htm
The past week has been a whirl wind of rushing, planning, strategizing and most of all praying. Over the years this campus has transformed into a reality of what was just a dream put in Pastors Jerry and Jana’s hearts. Buildings that were once just bush patches are all under the risk of being flooded. While this property is not ours personally, we’ve all invested so much and feel the ownership especially since the Lackey’s are stateside right now and receiving updates via Linda and the internet. We can only imagine the thoughts running through their minds as we work together to keep everything flowing…..literally…..off the property!
Trenches and secondary trenches were dug around the parameter of the property and tractor/backhoes were called in to start dumping Calcrete to build up some of our lower areas on the property. (Calcrete is clay and sand mixed together along with stone and more sand. It creates a non permanent but harder substance. This substance, though not permanent, is less permeable than dirt and certainly less permeable than sand). The volume of water coming in has been exceedingly more that we thought and so permission from the Disaster Council was given to dig trenches to additional pits just off our property. Within 24 hours, the first 15 to 20ft pit was filled. Since Monday we have been working round the clock to keep the water flowing off the campus. Each day around 4-5am we seem to find new spots where water is coming in. So far we have been able to keep ahead of it with all hands on deck and are doing everything we can.
In addition to the flooding, we lost power early Wednesday morning (4:30am) not due to the flooding, but a main line being cut. The entire village of Maun has been without power. This only adds to the stress of planning and keeping things going. The good news is that we have a large generator that is providing power to our office blocks, school, and water pump. Today (Thursday July 14) we have closed the school until Wednesday or Thursday of next week due to the rising waters and the safety of our students.
It is said that crisis can often bind people together. Over the last week we have seen all our staff rise to the occasion and work endlessly to do whatever it takes. Church members arrived on the scene to dig trenches and bag sand into the late hours of the night. Okavango International School boarding students have also helped bag sand bags and have been in good spirits.
Thank you to everyone who has been praying and thinking of us here. We ask you to continue lifting us up in prayer. We will keep you posted as we are able.
We would like to ask you all to join with us in helping in this crisis, whether it be through prayer, finances or on site work.
In USA for Tax Deductible Donations:
leave a comment below!
The blog is looking great guys! Love hearing about LBOM. Hugs to everyone.
We are praying for ya'lls campus family, the children & the hope of Jesus Christ would prevail in the midst of disaster. Love ya'll! Anita