Hello all!

These past few weeks have been packed with work (and a little bit of leisure!).

So what am I up to? Firstly, it rained everyday in May so basically I couldn’t do anything from 2pm-10pm due to wind and rain. But, in the mornings I have been busy constructing stoves – we have finished 57 and are on our third round of ordering materials (we will construct 15-20 more). I have been doing much of the construction myself with the masons and my hands have the blisters to prove it!

Also, I have been busy having community meetings about filters. I am about to order 40 filters more. Rafelito has also become trained in the filter project and will be doing his own project of about 40 filters. All the beneficiaries must be educated in order to receive a filter – so lots of talks about sanitation, diarrhea and water purification.

Also, I have my nutrition class in Jobo once a week, and my women’s club meeting once a week. In my nutrition class we are cooking weekly (with a lecture) and in my women’s club we are generating funds through selling Vick’s Vapor Rub. Unfortunately, the costs of the materials to make the Vapor Rub have skyrocketed and no one wants to buy our product . We have 60 jars left to sell—75 cents each.. anyone want to buy?

The promised $2,000 dollars for my aqueduct from the community challenge fund has NOT come in. While I have received the money you all donated to my fund through Peace Corps, this other $2000 is lacking and we cannot start the aqueduct without it!! So basically I have been harassing the Peace Corps grant manager to see what the deal is. Very frustrating. The aqueduct construction will definitely be starting late.

Also, I am waiting for my 60 pounds of international books for the school to come. Will they ever arrive? Unknown.

Personally, as many of you know, I recently got engaged to Rafelito! So on top of all my work I have been busy with lots of visa forms, bachelorette party, marriage stuff. That has been the fun part. My health friends threw me a bachelorette party last weekend on the beach in Puerto Plata. Lots of dancing, sunburns and laughs. It was fantastic!

I recently sold my goat! I made a $70 profit. While it was very sad to sell him (I did cry a bit) it was worth the money.

Lots of random tidbits, but my life here is pretty random! I will be in the states in just 5 weeks for a visit! I can’t wait!!