Earth Day 2010

Hiya,

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO MY MOM! I LOVE AND MISS YOU!

Here are some photos of Earth Day in El Firme!

We did talks on the Sodis water purification project which Jas told me about and I’m trying to implement in my site before we get any filters. I don’t always have purified water on hand and I can’t say no to kids who ask me for water. I also won’t let them take it straight from the cistern….but now I always have some purified on hand outside on my roof so it’s been quite a handy little project for my own purposes plus it’s another way to recycle. I’m trying to focus as much as I can on the reduction of trash, specifically plastic in my site so picking up finding uses for plastic bottles is always a win.

We also did talks on composting and showed them my compost pile, the difference between organic and inorganic material and why you shouldn’t burn either (instead compost organic and try to reduce production of inorganic through reusable materials), and I had our reusable bag competition winners talk about the dangers of plastic bags and how easy it is participate in the competition. We did a drama, earth day song, and I got an applause for my Brindis (Snack) which made me very proud because that’s a big deal for me to get that respect from the Donas. We also transplanted sunflowers with the kids incorporating the compost and then everyone got a sunflower and we sang and danced a bit. By the way Ryan, you got serious dancing props after shaking your thing. I haven’t stopped hearing about it since you left.

I overall thought the day went really well and wouldn’t mind doing it again next year. I had planned on trying to make organic soap (yes I know it’s caustic and I’d be super careful) and taking kids to the waterfall to do a treasure hunt while simultaneously teaching about the water cycle….so that’s an idea for next year. We might do a test run before earth day just because it sounds fun and Eva and I love going to that waterfall since it’s starting to get way hotter.

The water filter course is going to run May 4-6 and I am still figuring out all the logistics. I was just talking to Jas about how everything just takes so long to get done here that it’s better to put in the solicitude now since we’ll probably be waiting for a few months to actually get the filters. I hope only a few months. I’m excited about the course though for sure. The Dr I’m working with is way different than a campesino which throws me off a bit. I’ve got to set up my talks for the last day and also arrange the snack. The Doctor told me the participants will be expecting snacks and I was like, well hmph…I’ll be expecting them all to learn and not talk. Then they’ll get tang and crackers. Dios mio.

I am trying to make it down to El Factor where Mark lives to spend a day watching him build the compost latrine. Here’s the story: 20 families in a site above my site are without any sort of bathroom facility. Therefore, it’s a big problem up there. I want to help them out and have gotten my community on board after talking about how the water cycle works (they are situated upstream from us and we just got that aqueduct remember?) and also using God and helping out your neighbor since everyone in El Firme already has a latrine, mine winning a prize for the worst. Just kidding. Not really. I thought initially I’d apply for the grants and do pit latrines. Then the main funding got cut. Therefore I am looking for funding now for the project under rocks and in crevices. I’m thinking about setting up a PCPP which is an account that friends and family back home can donate to so that we can get all 20 families a latrine. I am also now looking at the composting latrine because I think that with Mark’s help I’ll be able to sell it to the Dominicans without them being freaked out by the idea. It’s a much more environmentally friendly and sustainable option. Anyhow, it’s a project with immediate need and nobody can argue with the importance of sanitation for 5 communities. I’ll try to make a little website soon to explain more about the project and then explain where one can donate.

Hmm…in other news I have now completely switched to washing my laundry by hand instead of paying a dona that was ripping me off. I have to say that I actually kind of like doing it. It’s amazing how much water you need for just a few clothes. You should try it sometime to realize how much water your machine is probably using. I then just stick em up on a line I’ve set out and let the sun dry them. I have also been making homemade tortillas, falafels, and scones to vary it up in the kitchen. I really do wish I had some dark greens though – I’ve got to try and grow some spinach because that’d help my really colorful bruises. I’m heading out to Eva’s tomorrow to send emails and catch up with her. I also plan on sewing a hammock because she’s gone sweet sewing machines in her site. Plus internet now which is like….no way.

It was great to have my friend Ryan visit – we went diving in Sosua which was cool and notably filled with Lionfish, then jumped back over into my site where he met my friends, ate authentic Dominican food, made chocolate, built a sweet trashcan for the cancha, danced during earthday, watched me knock over my wine glasses, played lots of music, and then visited the little waterfall. He is currently the eco director on a camp on Catalina Island who just recently set up a WWOOF program there and is doing all sorts of wonderful green things including recently getting his LEED AP. Don’t I have the coolest friends? If u are reading this then you should agree.

Here are some photos from the visit also. Bija says hello! So do I! Hope all is well
Love,
Sarah