I may an an opportunity to go work in Rwanda for a couple weeks, for what I'm told is a "simple topo". Has anyone worked in Rwanda? I did not come up with anything using Rwanda as a search here. I'm trying to think of what equipment I might need, what I'll need to tie my topo into some type of existing control, mapping.... and I don't even know what city/area this job is yet.
May want to check here first
http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/rwanda.html
Joe,
A couple of years ago, we had a engineer signup for Engineers Without Borders. The tip was to Ghana and required a site topography. Our concerns were with the difficulties that might arise in sending modern survey equipment into county to complete the job and getting the equipment back out. We elected to send only hand levels, abneys, compasses and field tapes. We located a automatic level and rod in country. Procedure was to complete the site topo by establishment of P-lines with tape and compass, differential levels on the primary - lines, radial shots with compass, hand level as required, the datum was local. We did get all our hand tools back.
Greg
I did a few weeks of surveying in Uganda and Kenya some years ago. The surveys were small design topos in support of site planning, building construction, and water projects. My org had their own equipment, and I just jumped in. Do you really need to take instruments? I would think your own data collector and laptop w/software would be sufficient, and maybe not even necessary. If you do take instruments, I'll just say that a total station is ALWAYS a carry-on, and never baggage!
On another note, I've poked around a little and I don't think there is a reliable Geoid model for Rwanda (or much of East Africa), but that won't matter for small sites anyway.
That was my column for April, 2013. Send me your personal e-mail and I'll send you a copy in a pdf file.
Got the passport covered, need the yellow fever shots tho. Was thinking if the job is small enough - automatic level + philly rod with good notes + sketches may suffice.
Have not looked into taking electronics, need to learn more about the project before I get too involved.
thanks for the replies!
I'd take nothing that depended on electricity since you may not have any. Grab a Wild theodolite (T16 or T2), an automatic level, rod, tape, etc. Take along your computer, but maybe a Curta & a set of tables. Plenty of pads of paper & pencils as well. Be prepared to do it the old fashioned way if need be without any external support.
> Got the passport covered, need the yellow fever shots tho. Was thinking if the job is small enough - automatic level + philly rod with good notes + sketches may suffice.
> Have not looked into taking electronics, need to learn more about the project before I get too involved.
> thanks for the replies!
There is a host of other shots that you should be looking at....typhoid, malaria, hepatitis etc
Project is starting to look a bit more challenging, location is northern part of country in Musanze district, along the Mukungwa river. I'll post back when I know more about it, thanks for your replies.
Make sure you hve electrical converters for voltage and plug style. Rwanda is 220V at 50Hz http://www.travel-images.com/electric-plugs.html
I've been fortunate in my career. Others have paid me to see some pretty cool (and horrid) places. I've never surveyed in Rwanda but have a few things to pass on.
Get ready to think outside the box. This is probably something that's crossed your mind a few times. Listen, learn and enjoy yourself.
The real advice, be ready for the shock of return. Everyone knows things will be different where you are going. Few realize that even a few weeks across the pond can set you up for a shock when you get back.
Good Luck, Tom
