This is the continuation of our project at the village of Nacolcol, where we installed a water distribution system. It was the second and final phase of the project.

After the delivery of critical construction elements, valves and pipes from Switzerland the construction could begin. Have a look at the below photo illustration. It will give you a glimpse of what went on there and how this were done.

This is the truck we used for our journey to Nacolcol. Would this old vehicle get us and the material there ?

The quiet before the storm. A quick photo taken and then it's off to a new adventure. You can see there is not much space left on the truck.

One of the many hurdles enroute was the water. There is no road so we tried the shortest and easiest way. You can see that it was not easy at all.

A lot of 'fun' at 40 degrees.

Same situation, just different picture. The red construction element would be the tower for the water reservoir.

A brief look at Mt. Pinatubo, which erupted in 1991. More info here on Mt. Pinatubo.

Stuck again. Unbelievable that we manage to get out of this one. But a lot is possible with combined manpower and unbending optimism.

Despair ? Not really. The question was when we would finally see dry land for our truck. The lahar really gave us a hard time.

At last. Arrival in Nacolcol. Already exhausted from the trip we unloaded and got started with the preparations.

What looks quite easy as Sunday gardening is not. The heat was incredible. Some 40 degrees were recorded during this part of the work. Martin wore a sun hat, but that did little to cool his head.

Another photo taken. If only the water tower would be finished !

A villager hands the hat to Martin. The hot wind managed to blow it off his head several times. You could see that Martin didn't feel all that comfortable.

This is a villager carrying steel construction elements to the spring up the mountain. At this temperature every kilo weight makes you sweat. But these people are used to the heat.

Every single part of the piping network had to be hand carried up the steep slopes of the mountain. And we can tell you: The slopes were really steep. Unfortunately the photo cannot show this, but you can take our word for it.

Finally ! Arrival at the spring, the reward for our exhausting climb.

Another look at the immediate area of the spring. A hostile place to start a water pipe network.

What would we have done without our builders. At this point they had a smile on their face. Happy people of Nacolcol.

On this photo you can see the finished dam we had to build to hold the water. The pipe was mounted to the wall of the dam and the piping downhills connected.

Another photo of the dam from a slightly different angle. Of course our workers wanted to be on it. And we could not resist.

Another photo of the actual 'mini' dam. It would hold the water and supply the pipe with a regular flow.

Back in the village we constructed the water distribution with a number of tabs. This would dispense the water with a minimum wastage.

Here arrived the tabs mounted to the dispenser pipe. All quality material that had to be imported from overseas.

This photo was taken just before the water came through. The people of Nacolcol were very excited and we could not wait to finish this final element of the construction works.

At last. It was done. Nobody needed to tell the children what to do next. You can see it for yourselves. No further comment needed.

Another photo of this great moment. Seeing this pays off for all the hardship we had to endure.

Martin gave some lessons in how to use the water efficiently and without wasting it. Just because they have water in their village now, does not mean that they can waste it by leaving the tabs on !

This is Nacolcol. There was forest around this village in the past. People chopped it down and the result can be seen now.

Some of the low vegetation in the village. It is just enough to grow some vegetables. Long way to go.

Villagers of Nacolcol are remarkably happy and trusting people. Since they have water in their village center their smiles are even greater.

A boy demonstrates his skills on a coconut.

A village gathering to review the construction.

At first they did not quite know what to make of it. But they found out pretty fast how it worked.

Villagers with Martin. The project finished and the people of Nacolcol could finally start using the water.

A quick look at the water pipe coming down from the mountain. We had to dig a trench for it at 40 degrees heat. You have to be a little bit crazy to do this.

But this is not the last project we have in mind. We have already planted 2000 tree seedlings around Nacolcol. This is part of the reforestation project and it has already started.

This is all privately funded by Botolan Wildlife Farm.

What would we have done without the generosity and enthusiasm of Paul and Verena Bruggmann from Switzerland. They financed this project and helped to make it happen.

A big thank you for this !!!