Walking Water

It'd been a week since the water last functioned. It's rare for anyone in my tribe to feel satisfied with the  amount of water they get. Today I planned to get up extra early and be one of the first to have water quench my thirst. Most importantly I would be collecting water to prevent deathly dehydration from my family. I grabbed my oldest son, Jaranja and gathered five empty containers holding four galleons each. I gave Jaranja one container and tied it tightly across his shoulders and back. I took on the other four by balancing one on my flattened head and held the others either by hand or on my back. We then set off on a six hour journey for water to provide wellness for my family.

For the next two hours we traveled through scorching dust lands and left markers every few yards as indicators of the direction in which our village was. Jaranja was the first to spot other villagers. At this point I knew we were getting close. 

When we arrived to the water hole my son and I desperately ran to start filling our buckets. Once the containers were fully stocked we made sure the lids were closed tightly. We couldn't risk losing any water. Every last drop counts. 

Jaranja and I traveled for a few miles with what felt like boulders on our backs until we took a quick break. It's hard knowing I can't have as much water as I know I need. I was willing to sacrifice my thirst for my four children's lives. I allowed Jaranja a few tiny sips and we continued on our excursion. After hours of stress upon my back, head and arms and pricklers biting into my bare heels, we made it back to the village to serve the purpose of our agonizing voyage.

Transportation

Patience...
For the next few days my perspective on money-making will transform from receiving cash for special holidays to selling tea and coffee on the streets of South Sudan. This is the life-style of the benefactor from my 25$ Kiva Fund, Susan Foni.

Transpertation Plan:
Bus from SB to LA
Flight from LA to NY
14 hour flight from NY to Juba, South Sudan
Bus ride from Juba to Susan's Camp

Susan Foni: Day One

I watched as the wheels on the small jeep picked up mixtures of dirt and dust and pushed the particles to block the setting sun. I arrived in Susan's camp at about 7:00pm...

The vehicle pulled up to a circular gathering of about twenty huts and straw houses. I was greeted by Susan with a sweet peck on the check and the reassuring words, "shukran." She then led me to her dilapidated home and introduced me to spare bedding on the ground. She'd known that I was jet-lagged and needed time and rest to acclimate.

  A few hours later I woke to the sound of clinking pots. I arose from my "bed" and noticed Susan preparing her cart of tea and coffee. I offered to assist her by stirring the hot water and mixing it with hand picked herbs. Meanwhile, Susan instructed me on how to make her favorite cinnamon tea. She communicated how the process worked by guiding my hands through the various steps of smashing cinnamon sticks and grinding delicate flowers. She let me experiment and invent my very own tea, "which could be a hit in my village!" Susan had exclaimed. I used all the basic ingredients but added a rare flower seed only found in her village that reminded me of a certain smell at home.

 With Susan's experience, I learned how Sudanese tea and coffee is made carefully by the hands of a dedicated worker. Since the last hours of sunlight were approaching, we finished the mixture and let the tea brew over night and anticipated the result of our hard work.     

Susan Foni: Day 2

Surprisingly, I woke up before Susan this morning. It must have been my excitement and curiosity to see how the tea turned out!

Although I wasn't exactly sure how our brew was meant to appear, its aroma was splendid. Later Susan joined me for tasting of our soothing herbal teas. About ninety percent of the beverages succeeded so we kept the best for the day's sale and offered the rest to the kids playing outside. We then separated the varying types of tea and coffee into two categories: hot and cold.

Susan and I wheeled the cart outside and trudged for about five miles or so and came across a town with many villagers making their profit by selling clothing and animals. Susan guided me to her usual spot to set up her outlet. She greeted and introduced me to the other familiar workers doing their part to support their families.
Throughout the day about ten customers bought our beverages which made Susan and I were proud of our success.

Susan Foni: Day 3

I knew I'd regret planning this trip for only three days...

I awoke feeling rushed and in a stressed mood. I strangely always get this way on the final day of my visits. I wanted to make this day worthwhile and cherish my last time seeing Susan.

For breakfast I used left over tea that I had invented for a morning beverage that complimented our potato,bean, and ham meal. It then dawned on me how my creation would never touch my taste-buds again.

My bus would be coming in about two hours. Susan and I hiked up a nearby hill and pulled roots for  another type of tea Susan would prepare for tomorrow. I appreciated how hard Susan worked and how dedicated she was to her business. Even though her Kiva account was fully loaned, I contributed two-hundred dollars to improve her occupationI knew I'd regret planning this trip for only three days...

I awoke feeling rushed and in a stressed mood. I strangely always get this way on the final day of my visits. I wanted to make this day worthwhile and cherish my last time seeing Susan.

For breakfast I used left over tea that I had invented for a morning beverage that complimented our potato,bean, and ham meal. It then dawned on me how my creation would never touch my taste-buds again.

By bus would be coming in about two hours so I spent the most time I could fit in with Susan. We hiked a nearby hill and pulled roots for a another type of tea Susan would prepare for tomorrow. I appreciated how hard Susan worked and how dedicated she was to her business. Even though her Kiva account was fully loaned, I contributed two-hundred dollars to improve her occupation and relieve stress. She thanked me continuously and told me how lucky she was to have met me, "shukran shukran shukran!" I expressed the same gratitude towards her and we both embraced in a hug. In exchange for my leaving she presented me with a box wrapped in straw. Inside lay a supply of the flower I had my tea with! I was so thankful that I could share all that I learned with Susan with friends and family back home.

We said our last goodbyes and I expressed how much I'd connected with her and seen her as a second mother. I promised to keep in touch and departed with anticipation for the future...

Communication

The main language spoken in Susan's village is Dinka.

Translations:

Hello - Cii yi bak


Goodbye - keyaa


What is your name? - yin na


Thank you - leee


Yes - ee


No - ei


Where? - keda


Good - gulp la wic


Bad - arac


Sorry - dier

Currency

Currency Exchange for South Sudan:


$1 US Dollar = 2.675 Sudanese Pounds (SDG)


$5 US Dollars = 13.45 Sudanese Pounds (SDG)


$10 US Dollars = 26.9 Sudanese Pounds (SDG)


$20 US Dollars = 53.8 Sudanese Pounds (SDG)


$100 US Dollars = 269.0 Sudanese Pounds (SDG)