Bluntsticks

FREE Lids and wraps up for Grabs!

Ian Stewart — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Bluntsticks is giving away FREE lids and wraps to the first 100 people who like us on Facebook. The names of the first 100 will be randomly selected, the 5 winners will be notified via Facobook. Please reply to ian@bluntsticks.com to claim your prize. Much Love

update 6 – materials

Ian Stewart — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:49:53 +0000

Materials, can make or break a project. Meeting a deadline is hard enough, but getting all the materials in advance can prove to be the hardest part. The Reiti Project requires a lot of materials, some of which need to be transported by pick-up truck (PVC pipes). The list of necessary materials is composed by the bluntsticks team and with the outside help of engineers. Heading into Kisumu (largest town in close proximity to project) the team meets with the engineer and the plumber. Together we head to a quite place for a meeting. The goal is to provide them with the necessary funds to obtain the necessary materials. However, it is in our favor to use great caution when handing over the cash. This situation can lead to some tense moments. The locals want to help, but they can also be very tricky. Having mum with us and the rest of the team, proves to be very helpful. The PVC pipes will take up a good percentage of the budget and will be imperative to the system. They are purchased first and delivered 2 days late. This is pretty standard. Next we have to gather all of the necessary fittings to connect the main pipe, running from the river to the top of the farm, to the irrigation pipe running perpendicular to the mainline. The process takes a whole day from 9 to 5. we organized a ride and left the city at 5 returning to the farm just before sundown.

update 5 – just pass sundown

Ian Stewart — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:02:56 +0000

Arriving into Kisumu a little before dark, exhausted from the hustle shuffle. The last leg of the journey ends up going smooth. Ready for some grub, a hearty african meal is awaiting. Mum, is waiting for us and she usually feeds us till we are blue-in-the-face. This works out nicely considering we are running on tea from this morning. Tomorrow will be big, so it is important to get some rest. Night.

update 4 – eastbound

Ian Stewart — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:31:56 +0000

Feeling well rested, Kisumu, Kenya is the next stop. This will be the largest city in close proximity to the project site. It will be where materials are most prominant. Saving us the hassle of going to Nairobi. Once in Kisumu a taxi ride, about 4o km, will take us to Bondo, Kenya. Bondo is about a 30 minute boda (motorbike taxi) ride into the bush and out of the town. This will be our resting place and the site of Bluntstick’s 2nd project. The journey will take about a day, with one border crossing.

update 3 – quick fix, before grind

Ian Stewart — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:08:40 +0000

Knowing that the next two weeks are going to be a grind, the team heads into SE Africa, with one thing on their mind. Get it in now. Arriving into Uganda and heading towards Jinja, Uganda. Here to get a fix, boose and views!

update 2 – wake up

Ian Stewart — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:49:49 +0000

Time to get the ball rolling! Fall is starting to wind down and it is time to head to Africa. The bluntsticks crew is ready to rally. The focus of the trip is the installation of an irrigation system onto a 30 acre parcel of land, called the Reiti Farm. Gearing up to head out for a month, with two weeks dedicated to the project. A lot of planning has gone into this trip and everything came together at the last minute. Everyone is hoping for success.

update 1 – Raising the Funds

Ian Stewart — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:48:32 +0000

With the help of Kevin Gibbons (Flip) Bluntsticks will be able to meet our project goal. Raising $6000 for the irrigation system to be installed outside of Kisumu, Kenya. The artwork is done by Kevin’s cousin.

Project Update 8- Finished

Ian Stewart — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 19:50:24 +0000

Here is some video footage of Bluntsticks first finished project! Thanks to all who made this possible!

Project Update 7 Do It

Ian Stewart — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 23:52:23 +0000

The next few days consisted of work around the Nest and short trips to Mukono. The team worked from morning til night trying their best to accomplish the task at hand. The foundation, tank, and rain gutters, were all in place. However, the rain pipe that directs water from the front gutter system to the tank in the rear, has become a struggle. Trips to the hardware store in Mukono, Muge Hardware, will hopefully help us solve our problem. The team has been working for the past 9 days to get the project wrapped up, so they can concentrate on purchasing and installing the rain pipe, which has become a setback in the projects success. Hoping that the next days prove to be just as productive.

Project Update 6 Can

Ian Stewart — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 16:23:53 +0000

The tanks have been inspected and an assessment has been made. Working efficiently to bring the plastic tank to the village Matt and Ian head back to the manufacturing plant to make the final purchase of the most important item(s), the tank. A little more bartering and a couple of tricks bring the deal to a close. After all the Africans are very tricky and the only way to fight it is with our own tricks. Which are deployed. That’s right, fight fire with fire. The day is going great and the team has managed to arrange a truck. The truck will transport the 5,000L tank, the 1,000L tank, and the gutters. The day has been filled with success and upon returning to the Nest more good news is upon us. Bob and his local crew have gained a lot of progress on the foundation. Matt being a builder looks on as Stephen the mason puts his love into the project. Things are coming together and spirits are high.

foundation