The Beginning of the End

We returned from our last trip out a community yesterday. This time we were in Malacatoya 1 installing the water filters with a delegation. It was really cool to see the beginning of the water filter process, especially since we've been supervising this whole time, but it was quite different to be with a delegation. We brought a cook along, for example, and didn't eat with a family. We also slept in a big tent since the school was a 45 minute walk from the health promoter's house; not the best night's sleep I've ever gotten.

I was also working as a translator this time. In the past, I've often gone out with guides and staff who didn't speak English, but understanding for myself and translating for someone else are two entirely separate things. Surprisingly, I actually did all right. I guess I've learned quite a bit of water filter-related vocabulary since I've been here!

We did quite a bit of walking on this trip, but I think that the previous trips have helped us get into shape because Sarah and I kept up with our guides pretty well, especially compared to the delegation members. All in all, it was a good trip and I'm sad to be nearing the end of my time here.

We've been wrapping up loose ends here in Managua-- we have quite a few evaluations to work through-- so it's just been us and the staff here at the base. The delegation comes back tomorrow, and we leave on Sunday. Unbelievable!

The Delegation has Arrived

The past couple of days have been kind of weird-- the delegation from Kansas has arrived here in Managua and one of the longer-term volunteers left yesterday. It's been interesting to look at the city and this organization through newcomers' eyes. Some of the volunteers have been coming here for years, but it's the first time for several. It's also been funny to have members of the delegation look to Sarah and I when they have questions about where things are or what it's like in the communities.

We're leaving for the campo tomorrow, but we'll be back on Thursday to wrap up loose ends.

More of Sarah's pictures

This is Jessica, who I've been writing about, and a family's pet parrot; I've seen quite a few parrots while supervising filters here.



Going over the results of the health stations and filter tests with the health committee.



Playing with one of the neighborhood kids.




A skinny little cat that hung around the clinic where we stayed.

Long time, no see...

Hey everyone, sorry for the lack of updates-- I've been a little under the weather lately and my bed has been winning out over blogging lately. But I thought I'd let you all know what I've been up to over the past week or so...

We had Monday off this week-- it's the day of the patron saint of Managua (probably). This was especially nice since it meant we didn't have anything to do in Managua, but other areas of the country were still open for business. Sarah and Monica (a girl who has been doing a 6-week internship here) and I decided to go to Grenada, a colonial town on Lake Nicaragua, and the Laguna de Apoyo, a nearby crater lake. Grenada is only an hour away from Managua, so it was an easy bus ride, especially after our commute out to El Obraje.

I wish I had all kinds of exciting things to tell you about the weekend, but we spent most of our time relaxing. Both hostels we stayed at had some really great hammocks, and the Laguna had a wonderful cool breeze.

This week we're staying in Managua (thus the Internet access). We've been working on standardizing protocols for the water filter activities-- taking and processing samples, training the health committees in the communities, etc.-- to make sure everyone who has a filter is getting the exact same information. Hopefully this will improve both ends of the spectrum-- the action of the community members and of the staff here-- to eventually wind up with some really beautiful water. Not the most exciting sounding activity, maybe, but it's nice to be working on something that will continue to be used long after I've left here.

There's a delegation coming in tomorrow-- it'll be weird to have eleven extra people here after having the place to ourselves for so long! We'll be heading out to a community with them on Monday to install some filters. I'll be working as a translator between one of the Spanish-speaking technicians and the English speaking delegation members-- wish me luck!

Finally, check out the GlobeMed blog for Sarah's post about the weekend and some awesome pictures. Now I really wish she had been in Turkey with me last semester, because my pictures look so dinky next to hers.

http://globemedatrhodes.wordpress.com/

Look for another update on Sunday :)