a funny story about yesterday:

so, its been raining nonstop in my village and yesterday my 50 women health promoter workshop (which we spent 1,000$ usd) was terminated early due to gain force winds and rain. (but dont worry-- the workshop itself was flawless!) my boss ran out of the gazebo/outdoor conference terrace with a tablecloth over his head, jumped into his jeep and headed for the nearest city. he left us 50 women to fend for ourselves for the next hour as we huddled in a small closet with old chairs. then, we had to take an open-air truck to get back home, further soaking ourselves and our $60 health manuals. and then we couldnt ford the river to go back to the community because it was too high. so we piled out and waited at this random woman's house. then i went to use the letrine of this random woman and got attacked by wasps in the bathroom (she knew there was a nest there, just failed to tell me). i ended up running with my pants down out of the bathroom, escaping with a mere three bites. i couldnt get home for 2 hours and was soaked to the bone. of course, the electricity was out and the flying ants were all inside my house.

top two photos: valentines celebration in the community (with a gift exchange!).
middle photo: youth health promoters giving a lecture to other youth
bottom photos: rafelito building a stove

pictures of vacation with mom, dad and rafelito at casa colonial in puerto, plata dominican republic. absolutely gorgeous!

Thanks to all of those who donated to the aqueduct! I've already received half the funds here in my account in country, and am told the rest of the money will be deposited this week! We will be up and working in June!

Also planned for this summer is the termination of the stove project (probably we will build another 40 before July), continuation of the filter project (hopefully 100+ filters!), and a book project at the local school. I've ordered 60 pounds of childrens books internationally; lets hope they make it here soon! Finally I've promised kids 8-12 in the community that we will start a kids club (basically arts and crafts and games 2x/week) which we will start over the summer.

Top this all off with applying to grad schools (I'm looking at dual programs for masters in public health/masters of social work) and looking for jobs!

Moral of the story: I'll be plenty busy this summer (but will still fit in a 10 day vacation to the states and a week long visit here with some vandy friends!)

a trip to the river with my sex-ed group!


a beautiful beach I visited in april in samana.


we dressed up as lucha libre fighters to hitchhike around the country.




me with my new chick, goldie hawn!

We finished fundraising for the aqueduct! Woohooo!

We are currently constructing 20 more stoves and are in the midst of ordering more water filters. On may 27th we have a health promoters workshop with 50 local women. Should be a lot of work, but a lot of fun!