Greetings to all. Lucy writing this time. We just learned today that "Milk for Kids", our project that we spent so much time researching and writing up last fall is fully funded and we can begin bringing it to fruition. Thank-you, thank-you to our numerous friends that have made donations and also to those that helped tell others about it. Our upcoming blogs may very well have photos of goat stables in progress, a training workshop, and GOATS!
Since school has been in recess, our activity has slowed a bit also. However, using our creativity we have found a variety of things to do. One, we hired a local metal worker to make us a small wood stove to heat our house in the chilly evenings. Folks from the community have been stopping by to see it and they all want to know how much it cost and who built it. One comment from an older man was, "Wow, that would work great for roasting guinea pig" (translated from his Kichwa/espanol). Now we have the additional job of hauling and splitting firewood. I´ve included a photo of the outside of our house . . . maybe you can see the tall smoke stack.
In the upper remote village where I taught English every Monday morning, we have organized Monday afternoon "educational game" time for all ages. We teach all ages to play checkers, chess, puzzles, and read numerous picture story books in Spanish. This has turned out to be very popular and the school classroom where we hold the session is full. A few adults, as well as teens and many elementary kids are attending. We may try sneaking in some environmental activities in the weeks to come.
The Foundation that serves youth and their families has been in a bit of recess also for the summer but a small group has been building an earthen block building for housing laying quail. The market for quail eggs is good in Ecuador. They say they are cholesterol free. So, Craig and I have gotten involved in the construction and I´ve included three photos. Can you find me, hoeing the dirt and water mix? Notice the two men up in the mold for the rammed earth block. Fun to watch them jumping and dancing up there.
Another photo is of "Marta", with her Mom, little brother and Craig on the day of her graduation from high-school. She was one of two girls to graduate this year thanks to scholarships they were awarded by the Gender and Diversity Commitee of Peace Corps. Craig and I nominated 6 girls for scholarships for the upcoming school year and all 6 were accepted! It really is a boost for them and their families.
Craig has been hauling his drill all over town, to drill a hole for the L.P. gas line so families can get their gas tank outside the house. He also has been using the drill to help install kitchen shelving. He is often thanked for his effort with a bag of potatoes, "oca" (a potato like root vegie), "habas" (lima beans, I think), and once we received honey.
Craig wants to add for all interested in his last entry about the small mystery animal that he identified it as a member of the wolverine family. . . "tayra" in English and "cabeza de mate" en espanol.
