We met the barangay captain of Buhay na Tubig to talk the project, discussing things such as the need for the water pumps, our proposal, and safety on the day itself. He told us that three of the 4 water pumps in a densely populated and depressed area were broken, so our project was perfectly timed. According to him, water pumps were the number one request by voters come election time.

Afterwards we visited the site, a modest residential area that he said housed more than 150 families. The Maynilad water was too expensive for them to afford and the river was too polluted for them to drink from. As a result, they relied on a single water pump, where long lines would form throughout the entire day. 

To help them, we decided to aim to fix their two broken water pumps and completely redo the other, so that they could have four working water pumps. The estimated cost of the new water pump was 33,000. However, we would be able to get lower labor costs, which made up P15,000 of the budget, by working with a different organization and helping with the installment. 

Lastly, seeing as three of the four water pumps were broken, we identified sustainability as a major issue.  We decided to hold seminars during the two days we’re there to teach adults about when the water is safe to drink, how to maintain the well, and what to do when it breaks. We’ll hold a separate one for children, as the barangay captain commented that they often broke the well by throwing rocks in it and playing with it. 

Learning Objectives

LO3

> Is able to articulate the CAS stages including investigation, preparation, action, reflection (ongoing) and demonstration, moving from conceiving an idea to carrying out a plan for a CAS experience or series of CAS experiences.

> Suggests creative ideas, proposals or solutions

> Integrates reflective thoughts in planning or taking initiative

> Is aware of roles and responsibilities when designing an individual or collective CAS experience

> Shows responsible attitude to CAS project planning

> Is able to develop a coherent action plan taking into account the aim or purpose, activities and resources.

LO4

> Is able to foresee potential challenges to the initial plan and consider valid alternatives and contingencies

> Demonstrates adaptability to uncertainties and changes

> Gets involved in long-term CAS experiences and CAS project

LO6

> Recognizes the global implications of local issues

> Is able to identify global issues in the local or national community

> Shows awareness of issues of global importance and takes concrete and appropriate actions in response to them either locally, nationally or internationally

> Gets involved in CAS projects addressing global issues in a local, national or international context

Mohsin Bin Iqbal

Nothing is better than going home to family and eating good food and relaxing. It was a feeling of being at home 🏡 Thank you so much John Hornick and Heather Hornick for their hospitality, care and love to us. Have captured one of the most beautiful moments up here in USA 🇺🇸

Initially meeting each other and introducing we went to Poter Phelps Huntigton House along with it's tour near the Connecticut River "A perfect spot of Tea".

Then chatting with you guys in the kitchen and while seeing you making dinner. Then had a chance to Meet Kitti and Ken for dinner and telling you about Pakistan along with your experiences and expectations.

After dinner, talking and sharing views about Pakistan and then visiting Newyork,helping each other in cleaning Kitchen. Then had a comfortable night at your home.

Ahmed Sher Zaman Dogar

Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It's about impact, influence and inspiration. Impact involves getting results, influence is about spreading the passion you have for your work, and you have to inspire team-mates. As we have been doing in past 3 weeks, in different places and roles.

Leaders help themselves and others to do the right things. They set direction, build an inspiring vision, and create something new. Leadership is about mapping out where you need to go to "win" as a team or an organization; and it is dynamic, exciting, and inspiring. 

Yet, while leaders set the direction, they must also use management skills to guide their people to the right destination, in a smooth and efficient way.

We had been enjoying and learning from each moment in University of Massachusetts Amherst with the sparks of everything new at every stage of life.

Actions speak louder than words. We decided to put words aside and express our love to the St. Nicholas Nursery Kids through our actions. We organised a tour to St. Nicholas this semester and In partnership with another CAS group, Jenga Tanzania, we managed to repaint two classrooms used by the St. Nicholas Children for studying during this tour. We also cleared the playground and removed the remains of the old swings to prepare the land for the sand and other materials which will be required for the playground reconstruction. 

On the other hand, during one of the sessions where the kids came at the IST campus, we organised a fashion show in which we dressed up some of the kids to participate in the show while the rest were audiences. We initially help them make their own crown papers to add the fun into the activity and involve the kids in creative stuffs through decorating their own crowns.