We have hosted 40+ volunteers from Universities Roger Williams, Emory, Wabash, Michigan and Clemson. Each group participated in mapping and executing a health census in a rural community, developing interactive didactic materials to bring important health issues to life in remote villages and painting fun murals like these to emphasize how "Reading and education can take you to new places" or how "Health is happiness". (You guys rock!)
We worked hard but also got to do a few hikes to some pretty awesome waterfalls. We went to Haiti and played games with the kids. Toured an organic farm that specializes in medicinal plants (and got to try some pretty epic organic chocolate and mint tea). Most importantly, everyone that came down took the time to integrate into the community and spend time with Restauracion's most precious resource....children.
It was an incredible 3 weeks with a lot of ups and downs, but overall everyone seemed to have a great time. I have gotten so used to having 10+ Americans here at any given time, so I'm pretty down right now haha. I was fearing this month wandering how we would organize and coordinate everything, but once the ball got rolling it all just fell into place. It helped a lot that every single person that came down was extremely self-driven and dedicated to the cause. It was very impressive watching them work. I pretty much have the greatest job out there :)
Now that the dust has settled I am left to get back to new project ideas and developing this latrine budget a little more. I have a visit coming up today from Santiago. She has been working as a nurse for the past 8 years in Chicago and is looking to possibly work with FIMRC in the area of maternal health (Thank the good Lord). Hopefully, this goes well.
Other developments....HQ just hired an intern come to town to help out for the next 12 months! I am pretty excited to have someone else help me tackle this beast. I can't really think of much else right now but thats the jest of it.
Oh yea, we also pounded a 40 pound bag of cheetohs......don't ask......
To any volunteers reading this:
Pastor, Pura, Cuka, Chino, Cholo, Chelo, Chilo, Victor, Miguel, Jose, Kachimbo, Pancho and the whoe rowdy gang send their love!
