WorldWide Drilling Resource

by Tim Rasmussen While I was in Guatemala, someone called Berny and reported the pump at Tan Hoc was having a problem, so Berny, my wifeAnnette, and I went out to look at the situation. Tan Hoc is about 12 miles out the road running from Poptun, past our headquarters toward the old town of La Compuerto on the Guatemala frontier with Belize. Although the distance is short, it takes about an hour to get there. Most of the road is sufficiently bad, and there are some very weird spots. One in particular, requires you to crest a hill without seeing where the road goes beyond. It takes a little courage to just keep going over the ridge without being able to see beyond the hood of the truck. The day was sunny and hot, and the scenery was lovely. I did not see much on the way except the road in front (when I could see it), but we stopped a few times. There were many jagged little hills and then steep hillsides planted with corn. Wood homes sprinkled around the little valleys and hillsides. It was very typical and very beautiful. Tan Hoc only has one well and it is a little over a mile to the next best source. This one well is very important to the village. Berny looked it over and determined it was broken inside the pump, and was being held together with a piece of cable. It was working, but just. The best thing to do was replace the whole pump - cylinder and all. He would send the service truck and it would get fixed in a day or two. While Berny spoke with the men who had gathered around, Annette and I talked a little with the ladies and children. We had some little toys we gave the children. I made them all laugh at my Spanish and made a joke or two. There were lots of smiles and laughter. We spent about 20 minutes with the villagers, then we got into the truck for the jostling ride back to our shop. One errand done off a list that goes on and on. The people need water every day. Pumps need service. More than 25,000 people use the water made available through Water For Life and the blessings of the Good Lord who sends the volunteers and donors who make it possible. The people of Tan Hoc thank you for your help and the clean water. If you would like to help, contact Gary Bartholomew at 509-466-5075 or 509-939-1941 Tim Tim Rasmussen may be contacted via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com WorldWide Drilling Resource ® 7 MARCH 2017