Hand Dug Water-Wells-Zimbabwe-HelpInternational.mp4

Hand Dug Water-Wells: Showing a team of trainee diggers digging a water well through rock using simple tools. They can safety dig down to 20 metres at present. We think they could dig deeper but we have not yet tried. Since this video was shot, they have dug 8 more wells providing a lot of villagers with clean water. They desperately require a petrol powered rock drill and some explosives training.

This video is for H.E.L.P. International found at www.helpinternational.co.uk

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• water;
• water-well;
• clean
• hand-dug
• wells;
• Zimbabwe;
• H.E.L.P.
• International;
• help
• international;
• mupasi;

[hizz2003]

No we do not have electricity at all. Incidentally, could you tell me if your Electric jack hammer is capable of drilling rock such as quartz? If so it may be worth comparing weights between a petrol jack (17kg) and an electric jack and a portable generator. U see our main enemy is weight. How much can a bicycle carry after tents, sleeping bags and food.?

[hizz2003]

@jmercer1820 Thanks for you question. A petrol powered rock drill has an engine on it and therefore no need for a compressor. The size of compressor required for powering a rock drill is such that a team carrying rudimentary tools such as you can see in the vid would not be able to carry it in the bushes they work.

[jmercer1820]

Good work you are doing.

Just wondering

When you say you need a petrol powered rock drill, do you mean an air compressor on the surface with an air powered drill in the well ?

How much money would you require in donations for this drill ?

Is the rock you encounter sandstone ?

[hizz2003]

@jmercer1820 You have to bear in mind that the best transport system we have are bicycles and a bike carries maybe 100kg including the rider. We think the petrol drill would cope but I have to go soon to assess the risk because of fumes since they will be down a deep hole . I am a qualified mining engineer so I have a few ideas on how to improve ventilation. 20 metres is a few distance but these petrol machines d not give out that much amount of fumes.

[hizz2003]

@hizz2003 The cost in USA are around USD 3000, the cost in South Africa is about the same. This plus the shipping. There will be no duty as the charity imports goods duty free.

I hope that, that answers your question. Please do not hesitate to ask further

Thanks

[hizz2003]

The digging season starts again the second week of July. We appreciate any help or advice anyone can give us. Last year the team of three dug seven wells from August to leta November.

We are anticipating a donation of a jack hammer from China, if the Department of customs will allow us to have it without paying duty. This may arrive late in the season and training will be required. We also need to work out how we can carry it from location to location. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[jmercer1820]

@hizz2003 Thanks for the reply.

Yes I see that a compressor would be impractical and too expensive.

Its just, I was thinking of the fumes from a petrol drill, at the bottom of a well, could be poisonous ?

I use an electric jackhammer around my property, it was cheap and is very effective, and no fumes.

But I suppose you don't have mains electricity, at your well sites.

[hizz2003]

Depends on rock/soil type but it is slow

Walls are self supporting

We have not had an emergency yet.

Water has to be scooped out before digging.

[hizz2003]

Will answer questions ASAP

[acmfirst]

OK A Few Questions:

How long does it take to dig 20m in such conditions?

How do the diggers support the sides during digging?

How did they train for emergences like if the guy hitting with hammer misses and hits the other guy's hand?

What if the well fills with water overnight?