Chlorinators in Swaziland by Dan Rockwell

The 2008 SwaziTeam transported 60 Chlorine Production Units (CPUs) and 40 solar panels to Swaziland for distribution. The South Africa/Swazi border crossing went smoothly and the team was especially thankful to find upon arrival in Mbabane that all 60 chlorinators had survived the transport from Iowa to Swaziland in our luggage... nothing broken, nothing missing.

The team distributed 27 CPUs with accompanying batteries and solar chargers in many rural areas in the north, east and south regions of Swaziland. Most of the demonstrations were held outdoors -- on a misty hillside or within a wide circle of people under the shade of ancient trees. With one exception, the chlorinators were received with gratitude, and there certainly was great interest in the solar panels. I cannot remember more than one or two sites that would have had electric power to charge the batteries, so the solar panels were a great addition.

The chlorinator distribution team did a great job of training with special kudos going to Mike Mears, Elizabeth Ward and John Doherty... & who can ever forget the incredible salt-dissolving dancing star -- Terry Shively!

Our thanks to Waters of Hope and Father Mitchell Smith, and Bishop Alan Scarfe's special asking this spring, which funded the purchase of chlorinators (45), solar panels and batteries, and provided sufficient funds to install up to four roof rainwater collector systems in Swaziland. Thanks, too, to Christ Church, Cedar Rapids, for purchasing 15 CPUs, and Paula Sanchini, who engineered the logistics for purchasing, packing and transport of all the CPUs and solar panels to Swaziland on this trip. Gratitude to those who carried chlorinators in their 'second' suitcase (Lydia Kelsey, Lydia Brown, Chuck Lane, John Doherty, Mary Jane Oakland, Jane Ringwald, Jim Bradley & the Rockwells) & to Rev. Orma Mavimbela, who had the foresight to purchase 30 batteries in Swaziland and! have them tested to see that they worked prior to the arrival of the Iowa team on October 18th. Yebo!