It has been way too long since my last blog. Sorry, life has been pretty busy!
Since mid- June, I have experienced many life-changing events, most importantly, getting married! On June 18th, I got married to my Dominican boyfriend (Rafelito) here in Santiago Rodriguez, Dominican Republic. We had a small community party at my house following the event. Lots of family, neighbors and peace corps friends were present. It was delightful.
Secondly, the aqueduct money finally arrived! Last week I trekked to the capital with the Water Committee’s treasurer to purchase the PVC tubes we need for the aqueduct. We purchased 300 tubes and I was able to get a 40% discounted price because of Peace Corps. Through this one purchased, we saved about $2,500 USD. Yeah! The rest of the aqueduct money (we have about $2,000 USD more to spend) will be in the purchase of cement, special connector tubes and some galvanized tubes to stretch through the hardest part of the ravine (where the aqueduct lies). We already had a community meeting with about 85% community attendance. Everyone at the meeting was enthusiastic and pledged their support to the project. This coming week we are expecting the tubes to arrive to the community and then next week we will start work on the aqueduct! We will be working about 2 days/week (with 20-30 men working each day). The phases of the aqueduct include connecting and transporting the tubes to the ravine, digging the trenches where we will bury the tubes and slowly dismantling the old aqueduct.
Meanwhile we are still working on the last 15 stoves….its been quite a journey and I have been working each day with the constructors to help get the stoves done faster. Hopefully we will be done in the next 3 weeks with the project, FOREVER! Woohoo! We will have built 80 stoves (each taking a good 6 hours to build. Do the math!). Whew.
Rafelito, having been inspired by my work in the community, has also become a community servant (not like he wasn’t before). In May he attended a Rotary International filter workshop and is also doing a community filter project in the nearby town of La Pastilla/Piedra Blanca. So together, in August, we are receiving 80 more filters to install in our communities. The work never stops!
Finally, I am still waiting for my 60 pounds of children’s books to arrive from two different organizations (International Book Project and Bookaid). Luckily, I have received confirmation that these books have already been shipped and I hope to pick them up from the capital in August! Just in time for the beginning of the school year!
Lastly, for the past year and a half, I have been trying to help the local school build a fence. They have many beautiful computers inside but no real security system. They have had the building materials in their possession for more than two years, but lack the cement necessary to actually build the fence. We have gone to city hall multiple times to receive help (because shouldn’t the government be helping this public school?) but have received nothing. So, after talking with the director, and my pledging support of ½ the cement necessary, in the next two weeks we should start construction on the school.
On top of all of this, Rafelito and I have started the visa process. We have already collected all the necessary documents and have had our first interview at the consulate. Within a month I should receive the round two forms, and possibly, by September, Rafelito will have his visa to come to the US with me (although he wouldn’t actually arrive until Christmas so he can finish another term at school).
Many exciting projects are finally happening, and to think, I only have 3.5 months left!
Ill be in the USA visiting friends, family and grad schools from July 26th-August 10th, so be sure to contact me (I’ll be in Baltimore, Washington, North Carolina, New York and Boston!).
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
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!!
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 $70 profit. While it was very sad to sell him (I did cry a bit) it was worth the money.
Lots of random tidbits, but my life here is pretty random! I will be in the states in just 5 weeks for a visit! I can’t wait!!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
a funny story about yesterday:
so, its been raining nonstop in my village and yesterday my 50 women health promoter workshop (which we spent 1,000$ 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 $60 health manuals. and then we couldnt ford the river to go back to the community because it was too high. so we piled out and waited at this random woman's house. then i went to use the letrine of this random woman and got attacked by wasps in the bathroom (she knew there was a nest there, just failed to tell me). i ended up running with my pants down out of the bathroom, escaping with a mere three bites. i couldnt get home for 2 hours and was soaked to the bone. of course, the electricity was out and the flying ants were all inside my house.
so, its been raining nonstop in my village and yesterday my 50 women health promoter workshop (which we spent 1,000$ 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.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
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!)
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!)
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