How often have I seen ads on the TV for charitable organizations, fighting to bring clean water to the poorest countries in the world? Often enough, but somehow, I manage to allot my empathy for those pictured to a few moments, and then put it aside to take up other concerns. Tonight, however, I got a first hand taste of what life must be like for some of these poverty-striken nations...
Living in an old, run-down apartment has its advantages, not the least of which is the opportunity to experience things that most middle class folks don't. As an example, our water is often shut down during the day while the management company or the city work on various problems in different parts of the building. Generally this doesn't bother us, as we are out at work or school or wherever, or at the very least, we have advance notice, and can set aside a bucket of water to wash with or drink.
But today, crisis struck!
I arrived home famished from a long day of work and not enough to eat or drink, only to discover Trevor and the boys sitting on the couch, looking miserable and dirty. They had been home for about 1/2 an hour, and rather than scrambling to clean out the lunch containers, get hands washed, and make dinner for everyone, they were stunned at having arrived home to no running water. Even the dog's water dish was empty.
According to the sign posted by the elevator, the water had been temporarily shut down due to an emergency in the building. According to the sign, the water would be back on by 4, 5 p.m. at the latest.
It was past 6 now, and no running water.
Apart from the inconvenience, the drama wasn't really all that bad... While I raged at the building superintendent, and cajoled him into bringing me a pot of water from the stash his wife had proportioned away earlier in the afternoon, Trevor went across the street to the 7-11 and bought three large bottles, enough to get us through the evening.
By bedtime, though, the water was used up, what with teeth brushing, hand washing, dinner prep (pasta, and salad washing)... when Simon asked for a drink, I had to tell him the water was gone. It made for an interesting conversation, as we were able to talk about how in some countries, this is what it is like every day for children. They go early in the morning to get water from the well, and when the water for the day is used up, well, that's it.
Now, there's a lesson that doesn't quite come alive the same way on the TV!
But today, crisis struck!
I arrived home famished from a long day of work and not enough to eat or drink, only to discover Trevor and the boys sitting on the couch, looking miserable and dirty. They had been home for about 1/2 an hour, and rather than scrambling to clean out the lunch containers, get hands washed, and make dinner for everyone, they were stunned at having arrived home to no running water. Even the dog's water dish was empty.
According to the sign posted by the elevator, the water had been temporarily shut down due to an emergency in the building. According to the sign, the water would be back on by 4, 5 p.m. at the latest.
It was past 6 now, and no running water.
Apart from the inconvenience, the drama wasn't really all that bad... While I raged at the building superintendent, and cajoled him into bringing me a pot of water from the stash his wife had proportioned away earlier in the afternoon, Trevor went across the street to the 7-11 and bought three large bottles, enough to get us through the evening.
By bedtime, though, the water was used up, what with teeth brushing, hand washing, dinner prep (pasta, and salad washing)... when Simon asked for a drink, I had to tell him the water was gone. It made for an interesting conversation, as we were able to talk about how in some countries, this is what it is like every day for children. They go early in the morning to get water from the well, and when the water for the day is used up, well, that's it.
Now, there's a lesson that doesn't quite come alive the same way on the TV!
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