Day 8

For breakfast, we had scrambled eggs with tomatoes and onions with rolls, beans, juice, and coffee. After breakfast, we split into two groups; each group went to different sites for construction work.

Becca: Upon arrival to the site, our group split up again. One group went to sift dirt to prepare cement for stove construction. The stoves are important for the health of the family, because without them they will cook with an open fire in the middle of the house, which leads to upper respiratory issues. Wil, Dimitri, and I worked with Juan and Marvin to finish a stove that was close to completion. We started by sifting dirt to add to the cement mix. Wil and I started doing that, then Wil and Dimitri helped Juan put a chimney on the stove. After they finished, we mixed dirt and cement with water to finish the stove.

When he had some down time, we bonded with the local children. I found that it was much easier to communicate with the kids in Spanish than I had expected. Around 3 pm, we finished up with the stove and headed back to the hotel. At 4 pm, we played soccer with some of the Parroquia workers. As per usual, I was terrible, but I had fun. We went straight to dinner after soccer. We had potatoes, stew, and cake. The cake was for Alex, a long term volunteer, because today is her 23rd birthday. After dinner, we watched a video about Father Greg, a priest who spent most of his life working with and helping to improve the lives of the people in San Lucas.

Kat: Our group was led by Dr. Northrup and Alex. We embarked on a 20 minute drive in the back of a pickup truck (a common form of transportation here) to a remote area in San Lucas. Once at the location, we were greeted by a wooden suspension bridge, built in 2012 by volunteers at the Mission. After many jokes and overcoming slight fears, the entire crew successfully crossed the bridge.

We trekked half a mile up a steep mountain and through the forest to arrive at one of the Mission houses in the community. It was there we were assigned jobs. Half of us stayed to sift gravel, used for concrete stove mix, and to participate in building the stove while the other half walked up the road to another house built and donated by the Mission. There, gravel was also sifted for future stove projects. We helped the families in any way we could, whether it be hanging clothes, dancing with the children, and exposing them to our music! After our duties were over, along with the rain, we walked through the small village. The roads were made of dirt and grass, and houses not built by the Mission were composed of disheveled wood and corn stalks. A group of young boys approached myself, Karissa, and David asking us to play a game of futbol; however, the ball was missing. They explained that they didn't have one to play with. The group continued on, while many other children greeted us from the open entrances of their homes. As we ventured toward our exit, the children entertained us, delaying our departure. Once we crossed back over the bridge some students helped a family bring soda and food, which were delivered by van, back over the draw bridge. As we left, the group reflected on the impact volunteers can make in a village.