A Zanjero is a “ditch rider” or someone who controls the flow of water to various irrigation sites by traveling along the irrigation routes. This week, I was enthralled in the life of Thomas Chappell, who was the only Zanjero in Upland in 1977, when the interview took place. His days began early, around 4:00AM and were often cut short by sleep, as he went to bed around 7:30PM. He worked on delivering water to farmers across the area, by way of opening and closing valves. His entire life revolved around supplying water for his community, so much so that he missed out on important family holidays and milestones in his children’s lives. Chappell’s commitment to his job has led me to reflect on the absolute necessity and value of water. Water is so important that someone committed their entire life to delivering it. We have to keep that in mind as we live our lives; water is life.
