Latrine Project up on Peace Corps Website

The surrounding communities have asked for a latrine project for my entire service. Organized by family groups, they will work together to build latrines in their groups. If you would like read more about the project and possibly donate, go to this website: www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.donors.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=525-134

El Mes de Patria

November and December are a continuous stream of holidays. Independence from Columbia, Independence from Spain, Uprising of Los Santos, Mother´s Day (which is celebrated VERY differently here) as well as others are all packed into a one month period.

One of my closest friends in my community, Diocelina. Her, her brothers and sisters hang out\ bother me every day. Here, she is reciting a patriotic poem that she memorized for independence from Columbia day.

Emilia. She found some scissors and decided to cut her hair.

The school´s independence from Columbia ceremony. Pictured is Maestra Paz and Director Mario.

Reciting a poem.

A Kinder student reciting his poem.

Mrs. Paz´s class writing their letters.

An art project that Mrs. Paz´s class did

More art from Mrs. Paz´s class

The director´s 4th and 5th grade class

Things are going well.

Water seminars are done for now. Everything went great: participants learned a lot, had fun and are motivated to teach other community members. Government agencies have shown interest and may incorporate this into their water infrastructure work, maybe.

Latrine budget is in the paperwork phase but should be up on the Peace Corps website by Christmas. If anyone has money that they don´t want and would like to help out, check back later for the link.

School letters are all done. This month, I will have time to translate the 70 letters that the students wrote. The letters are great. Each kid worked very hard to try to explain their lives. I hope you like them. They should be done and delivered to Rutland, VT by the time school starts in January.

Happy Holidays,

Chöti