Sarah en La Republica Dominicana: Project Update!

Heya!

Ok ok, so I’ve definitely been floja when it comes to keeping up the blog for the past few months. It’s hard! Especially when Bija bit thru my computer chord and I couldn’t write the blogs in advance of getting to the internet center. Ya tu sabes.

I don’t think I even updated with like the biggest site news – we got our aqueduct funded by the government and suddenly we have water. I’m still sort of in shock at how this came about…but just goes to show you that during election time, politicians can make some pretty big changes. It was done under Salud Publico with the intention that kids would be able to wash their hands at the school and when they couldn't tap into ground water at the school, they just funded the aqueduct that my community already had in progress from what I gather. It really was amazing to see the happiness written on my community’s faces as house by house families were receiving water lines and keys.

Thankfully, Jennifer Phillips and Ms. Patricia Sanders came to visit and they so kindly brought me my new chord. I lived for about a month and a half with no computer in the campo. That means I played a lot of guitar in the dark. I wrote a new song too! Maybe it was better that I didn’t have technology for a little while, because I sure do appreciate it now. It’s amazing how much more work I can get done. Speaking of which here is little update for anyone interested.

Biosand Water Filters!
I went to Santiago to a mini course that Proyecto de Las Americas with Rotary International was offering to learn how to install these Biosand water filters (hydraid.org). They’ll be donating filters to my site and I’ll be installing them and teaching the Donas how to use them. The visiting Dominican Dr. and nurse in my site will be helping me with a course called ‘El Agua Sana y su Bienestar’ = Healthy water and your wellbeing. I’ve felt busy and productive again with this project which is a great feeling. I initially wanted to do ceramic pot filters because there are definitely issues with the biosand filters in terms of their maintenance and the fact that you can’t move them once installed (what I deem almost impossible for most Dominican housewives who like to clean everything thoroughly). That being said, I’m hoping it works out well – the course we’re offering is obligatory and we’re really trying to emphasize the education beforehand. I’m still thinking that ceramic filters might be something for the future in Loma Vieja, the campo that is situated right above us which in my opinion has greater need for these types of projects. That being said…

Sanitarios en La Loma Vieja

I’m working on a grant to try and get 20 wood/cement latrines to be installed in Loma Vieja. I have spoken with the animador/priest-like figure who told me that 20 families have no access to any sort of facility at the current moment. That being said, I’m working it into the water course we’re offering to get my community members on board in this way: We’re going to learn about the water cycle. Being that Loma Vieja is situated upstream from us and that we are now receiving water from the aqueduct that is pulling up river water….it is in our best interest to help Loma Vieja with a human waste problem. That being said, I am looking into designs that aren’t expensive and yet are better quality than my latrine which is made entirely of wood. I want the latrines to last a good chunk of time. The problem is that the funding for latrine projects was just cut, USAID for some reason thought it wasn’t necessary? I don’t really know why. Anyhow, I’m looking around for funding and if anyone back home knows of secret niches for sanitation projects feel free to shoot me a line.

Kids 2 Kids Cancha
Clide and I just went to San Francisco and bought the cement and paint to redo the court surface. I’m going to get a basketball when the court is done. I’ve talked with people in my site to say that I need help with the loads of kids and fact I lose my voice almost every time we get together. I’m thinking that with my PCV neighbor Eva, maybe we can do some sort of girl’s summer volleyball camp somehow. If not that, at least my reading club kids like playing on it so set up some sort of schedule with them.

Earth Day 2010
Ryan will be visiting! My reading club will be presenting to the Women groups – How to purify your water using Solar Power (http://www.sodis.ch/index_EN), how to make compost, how to replant seedlings (everyone gets a sunflower), and we also have a drama to emphasize the importance of reusing materials and a Earth day song! Haha...well it's something right? I’m really excited for this and I really hope that I get reasonable attendance. We went all over my site with formal invitations and I think I exhausted my kids. I’m going to build a little trashcan with wood and rabbit wire to demonstrate during Earthday that will end up at the Cancha and I’m hoping to arrange with one of my truck drivers to do like a little pickup to take to Castillo where they say there is a more legit dump. With no easy solution in sight, yes trash is a dirty problem. I told all the Donas that we won’t be producing any during earth day so bring your own cup!

Reusable Bag Competition
I am really happy with this project. We’ve saved over 1000 bags and over 20 Donas have participated. I expanded it into 2 other Colmados and am thinking that I’ll write a grant to help me cover the expenses for the prizes.

In other news…..I’m doing well! I really like feeling busy. Mom just sent me a GRE book and that is also good to have a night to change modes and think about the future. Bija kitty says hello and is doing quite well. We had a serious issue with him playing with little chickens. We’re figuring it out together. The best and really only way to build healthy relationships.

My friend Ryan from UCSD is coming today actually and I’m going to pick him up in the airport in an hour. Especially after backpacking with him thru Big Basin, I’m really looking forward to the visit because he’s just a great travel companion. We’re going diving in the north and then to my site. Not a long visit but I got some fun plans.

I’m thinking about building a hammock. It’s going to get so hot that it will be a necessity soon. Take in the breeze that comes up my little hill. I’m also planning the new garden layout. Reed’s Japanese cuke seeds are up are almost ready to transplant. I’m doing real cilantro, spicy bush basil, and am going to try onion and eggplant. I’m also installing little plant holders on my windows to have more space to protect the seedlings and make the house look super cozy. Nana taught me to do that, fill a space with books and plants. She knows what she’s talking about.

Thank you so much for the birthday packages. I’ll be sending out emails to confirm I got your loving.

Here are some photos of Jen and Patty’s visit! These are all Jen's pics taken from her FB account which has a bunch more.
Just for you Lea - Pa' movilizacion hacer una visita con Toby.