Chapter 123: Wells
While Rudolph's education abroad proceeded under Ernst's supervision, back in East Africa, Ernst's government was implementing an essential initiative – digging wells throughout the colony. This effort aimed to provide clean and safe drinking water to the local residents.
In East Africa, the primary source of drinking water for immigrants had been rivers and lakes. However, the quality of this surface water was often poor, with turbidity caused by various factors, including sedimentation and wildlife activity. As a result, waterborne diseases were common among the population.
To address this issue, the East African government issued a directive to dig wells. The initiative aimed to improve water safety by tapping into groundwater sources. Wells would provide a more reliable and cleaner source of drinking water for the local communities.
In Fata Village, Jorah Mormont, an immigrant from the Austro-Hungarian Empire with well-digging experience, took the lead in this effort. He explained to the villagers that the mud's consistency in a specific area indicated the presence of a potential water source below the ground. His experience and knowledge guided the villagers in their well-digging endeavor.
The villagers, equipped with basic tools such as shovels and hoes, started digging under Jorah's guidance. Jorah laid the groundwork for the well by building a wall using a combination of rattan and masonry. Meanwhile, the villagers worked diligently to excavate the soil, using wooden barrels attached to ropes to remove it from the well.
As evening approached and the well reached a depth of more than ten meters without yielding water, the village chief was concerned about their progress. Jorah reassured them, drawing on his past experiences in Hungary. He explained that the wetness of the mud increased with depth, and based on his previous experiences, water should emerge at around ten meters.
Encouraged by Jorah's words, the villagers redoubled their efforts. Just as Jorah had predicted, when they reached a depth of approximately one meter, water began to gush up from the ground. Excitement filled the air as they shouted, "Out of the water!"
The village chief instructed them to extract Jorah from the well. Using a simple pulley system, they carefully brought him to the surface. The successful digging of their first well marked a significant achievement for Fata Village.
In East Africa, water wells played a crucial role in providing residents with clean drinking water. While the colony would eventually develop more advanced water supply systems, these wells would remain essential, especially in remote areas with limited access to tap water.
The initiative to dig wells was part of Ernst's commitment to improving the living conditions and health of the East African population. Access to safe drinking water was just one aspect of his broader efforts to develop and modernize the colony.