After culture week in Kusapin I returned home for a 2 week stint in site. Haven't done that many days straight since February and it’s been a joy.
The first week was a gathering of resources, if you will, as I prepared my first project management inspired water aqueduct meeting with all the big shots in town. I had 21 people show up including 5 women! We started the meeting with an activity that compares and contrasts our 3 options to the water problems in town. These included …a new aqueduct with a solar panel pump and tank, rainwater tanks, or simply fixing up the one we got.
I prompted this activity to visually and interactively show the community the difference between rainwater and an aqueduct to hopefully get them thinking that rainwater is the best option, without me directly telling them (that it is!)
Next, I had drawn a map of the town and handed out little pieces of paper to everyone in the meeting. The people then wrote the number of ages +12 and -12 people living in their house, then came up to the map and had to find their house and stick the number on it. This allowed them to visually see their house and family clusters, how far they are from resources like our water source and the school, and allowed me to see who came to the meeting from the 5 different sections of town. At least one member from all five sections came!
We then discussed the 3 hills that could be the possible location for an aqueduct tank and (if it’s even possible I'll know after I survey) and set dates together for surveying. Finally, to get them to use their latrines, I attempted to bribe them with English classes. I will not be un-hopeful, but in general, their response: no dice.
We also agreed to finish the cement sidewalk pathway from the dock to the school and health center.
Overall mood of the meeting: joy, productivity, and fulfillment. I felt this durring and once the meeting was over. Note to readers who forget, this entire meeting was run in Spanish! In a few weeks we're having another on to discuss the results from surveying. Stay tuned.
Saturday after the meeting I took a boat ride south down the peninsula to Bucori with my neighbors to pasear, or go visit some friends. We paddled for 2 hours, straight, and thank god for my swim team past cause that chore is no joke!
The first week was a gathering of resources, if you will, as I prepared my first project management inspired water aqueduct meeting with all the big shots in town. I had 21 people show up including 5 women! We started the meeting with an activity that compares and contrasts our 3 options to the water problems in town. These included …a new aqueduct with a solar panel pump and tank, rainwater tanks, or simply fixing up the one we got.
I prompted this activity to visually and interactively show the community the difference between rainwater and an aqueduct to hopefully get them thinking that rainwater is the best option, without me directly telling them (that it is!)
Next, I had drawn a map of the town and handed out little pieces of paper to everyone in the meeting. The people then wrote the number of ages +12 and -12 people living in their house, then came up to the map and had to find their house and stick the number on it. This allowed them to visually see their house and family clusters, how far they are from resources like our water source and the school, and allowed me to see who came to the meeting from the 5 different sections of town. At least one member from all five sections came!
We then discussed the 3 hills that could be the possible location for an aqueduct tank and (if it’s even possible I'll know after I survey) and set dates together for surveying. Finally, to get them to use their latrines, I attempted to bribe them with English classes. I will not be un-hopeful, but in general, their response: no dice.
We also agreed to finish the cement sidewalk pathway from the dock to the school and health center.
Overall mood of the meeting: joy, productivity, and fulfillment. I felt this durring and once the meeting was over. Note to readers who forget, this entire meeting was run in Spanish! In a few weeks we're having another on to discuss the results from surveying. Stay tuned.
Saturday after the meeting I took a boat ride south down the peninsula to Bucori with my neighbors to pasear, or go visit some friends. We paddled for 2 hours, straight, and thank god for my swim team past cause that chore is no joke!
Reason # 73 to join the Peace Corps= buff upper body.
I’ve now shown my face in every town out here except Tobobe.
The 2nd of the 2 straight weeks in site included digging a drainage ditch below my elevated outdoor shower, summarizing the info I gathered from my meeting and planning the next one , planning my July calendar to survey with the help of some other awesome EH volunteers/friends who live on the other side of the country, eating lobster, running on my beach, making homemade Malibu with rum and fresh coconut juice, teaching little native children dances to M.I.A. and Prince, and decorating, aka nesting, in my (still new to me even thought I’ve been in for 2 months ) house.
Whew. Life is so fun.
I’ve now shown my face in every town out here except Tobobe.
The 2nd of the 2 straight weeks in site included digging a drainage ditch below my elevated outdoor shower, summarizing the info I gathered from my meeting and planning the next one , planning my July calendar to survey with the help of some other awesome EH volunteers/friends who live on the other side of the country, eating lobster, running on my beach, making homemade Malibu with rum and fresh coconut juice, teaching little native children dances to M.I.A. and Prince, and decorating, aka nesting, in my (still new to me even thought I’ve been in for 2 months ) house.
Whew. Life is so fun.
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