The well at the Camilo Zapata Primary School in Jiquilillo

As I mentioned in my last blog post, we had some difficulties in starting the well. These difficulties were all frustrating but most were comical to be a part of. First, the well was started once by another organization and then two times by me before it was completed. As you may know the teachers and community members and I have been talking about the construction of a well for over two years now; so it was amazing to see if finally taken from start to eventually finish this year! So sit back, and enjoy the journey as the quasi comedy unfolds.

For starters, this year, the well was started by a newer hotel in the area of Jiquilillo. They came in full force with lots of man power and started digging, in what the teachers later told me was not an ideal area for a well. So, they broke cement and dug and dug, then purchased supplies and left. They actually left before the well was completely dug, and just left the supplies at the school. The sad part is, this was a group of volunteers from this other hotel in the area who really thought they were doing something good for the community. The problem: the volunteers didn't have enough time, the project was not headed by someone capable to actually complete it, and for the material to build the well they were using metal barrels which say "dangerous chemicals," and previously contained both paint and glue. The teachers and I were devastated, this well project by this other hotel in the area was unexpected, unplanned, and in the end almost unwanted. It was a cheap cry to pretend to help. The following is a picture of the barrels showing they are dangerous and say chemicals these were two of three barrels they were using to complete the well. So after scratching our heads, lots of meetings, a quick change in my plans, and a couple hundred dollars later the teachers, community, students, and the Assist Jiquilillo, Inc, and the owner of Rancho Esperanza, came up with a solution. We had no choice but to fix the situation. So we made some calls and rounded up some appropriate building materials and had a delivery made to the school!

With both deliveries complete we were able to get the help of all students, several parents, and the crew from Rancho Esperanza to help unload:

These are photo's of the two deliveries we received which included: 400+ cement blocks, construction sand, zinc, wood, nails, and a few other supplies. Also the pictures on the right are of the school children, teachers, fathers, and staff and friends of Rancho Esperanza lending a hand!

All materials were unloaded and put into an unused classroom in the Primary School. This room is the old Director's office, as the director of the school now has an office at the secondary school about forty-five minutes outside of Jiquilillo. The teachers and I decided this was the best place to store the building supplies until the time was right to start construction.

So now the real fun begins. After several more community meetings and little push from me with Assist Jiquilillo, Inc. we were able to start construction. This means first you have to dig a really big square hole. Let me tell this is not the best part, at all. So, we dig, and we dig, and we dig some more; the going is real slow as we are trying to dig through clay. Thankfully we had the help from Marcel a father of several students at the primary school, Roberto (not pictured here) also a father of several students, Aldrin a community member and son to the pre-school teacher, management from Rancho Esperanza and several friends who were staying at a nearby hotel as guests. With all this said and done, we worked for about two weeks, and, only managed to dig about 5 measly feet out of the 12 to 15 that we would need. It was a sad and frustrating time, but we needed a break, so we took a few days off and then started work again, only to find that the rains were about to begin and collapse our beautiful yet small hole for the well. This lead us to more community meetings, a well needed rest from the back breaking work, and finally plan number 2.

Plan number 2 seemed easy, fill in hole, find new location, and well start all over again. Finally we begin. Our work force consists of: Pedro, the president of the school committee at the time, Amanda and Roberto parents of several children who attend school, Jackson a 13 year old student at the primary school (not pictured here), Carlos another 13 year old student, several other students, Juan a prior student of this primary school, several other parents of students, me with Assist Jiquilillo, Inc., and guests and management at Rancho Esperanza. So we dig, and we dig, and we dig some more; the going however is super easy; it's all sand (which is a plus as it's said to be a better filtration system) and complete the digging of the well in only 4 hours. It was miraculous! The next day construction begins. We lay cement blocks and cement them in place, until the structure is approximately 5 feet high! Next we wait, and we wait, and we wait some more. The rains began to fall again and we all get a little nervous that the hole and the structure will collapse. A couple days later, once everything was dry again Robert, our lead mason and father of several students, with his assistant Jackson, a student, finished the well! The major problem, which we thought we may face, was the water was brackish. However, the teachers and students are excited at the idea of having access to water for washing their hands, and cleaning the school and latrines. Therefore, even though the water is brackish the well was very necessary. Plus Assist Jiquilillo, Inc. currently has drinking water bused in from the city of Chinandega on a weekly basis.

Several days later, with the remaining blocks, Don Roberto and Jackson built a hand washing and cleaning station. Their dedication and persistence has led to amazing changes for the Camilo Zapata Primary School of Jiquilillo. Next year we are hoping to install a pulley system for hauling water from the well, and in the future a hang pump system to make hauling water a much easier experience. The teachers and I have spoken and would like to make sure that only a little bit is done each year on each project. This is so the students can be a part of the process and see how much work and persistence is needed to make a change and keep the change working for the best! Through the construction of this well I've learned cutting corners isn't worth it, the students and the school are too important to suffer. I've also learned that although things may seem easy at first, there are hidden complications which need perseverance and a lot of community involvement to overcome. If Assist Jiquilillo, Inc. hadn't been able to supply the materials and community had not been willing to work to better their own lives and the lives of their children, this project never would have come together the way it had. I am very proud and very happy especially in thinking of all the people who have lent a hand, this makes me smile yet also makes me shed a tear for joy, because I have never felt a part of a community like I do now. Even though the well took longer than anticipated, the community participation was not as much as I had hoped for; it was completed, and completed by several very dedicated men and women. It feels empowering, knowing that you not only have the support from your friends and family but also from an entire community!

Great Projects Complete! More Ideas Brewing!

So I’ve finally found more than 10 minutes to sit down and write about my adventures in Jiquilillo since February. As usual, I wish I had kept better notes on everything that happened. During my stay in the community from January 28 until September 17th I saw a family of five fishermen lost at sea and never heard from again, two homes burn down, one woman leave her abusive husband, at least five new healthy babies born, several trips to the hospital, children break bones and heal quite nicely, properties transferred, and major renovations at the school including a well (started three separate times and finally completed), two new latrines, a food storage area, and a small new Spanish library.

As you all know my main focus in the community of Jiquilillo is the children, with a current focus on the local public primary school. Last year, thanks to many people caring about this community and making donations, I was able to sponsor children to attend school, purchase a vehicle to be used as a community ambulance, bring in well needed simple supplies to the local public primary school including pens, paper, calculators, maps, dictionaries, and much more.

This year I was also able to complete some exciting new projects. After many meetings with the head teacher of the school, the community leaders, the school committee, the parents, and even the children, I was able to pick and choose a few projects which were considered the most important for this year. We were also able to compile a list of projects to be completed within the next two to five years. This year’s projects were more about maintenance and the functionality of the school rather than specifically focusing on the education. This doesn’t mean programs to improve the educational needs weren’t also addressed.

Starting with the fun stuff, the educational improvements include new textbooks for the teachers so the students can work in small groups using 2009 textbooks as opposed to the old outdated textbooks they were previously using. Basic supplies including notebooks, paper, markers, pencils, erasers, and pencil sharpeners. This year the teachers decided sponsorships were not as important as last year as almost all the students had a one uniform. The teachers and school committee thought it may be more beneficial to provide sufficient supplies to the school including notebooks and pencils which could be distributed by the teachers accordingly. This honestly seems to be working quite well this year. Perhaps we will go back to the normal sponsorships as in 2008 for next year or keep it the same; however, this all depends on the teachers and the community members.

As for larger functional projects, well this was actually fun too, and includes some pretty major work in my mind. First, a well was started by another hotel in the area; however their volunteers working on this project returned to their homes before finishing the project leaving a gaping hole and toxic metal barrels in the school yard. The teachers and I decided this was not appropriate or acceptable. A bit of brainstorming, a change of my original plans to build a food storage facility for the school, a couple days, and a couple hundred dollars later, a huge truck filled with all necessary building supplies arrived (bags of cement, several hundred cement blocks, construction sand, nails, lumber, zinc, and cement pillars).

The community all joined forces, and after only a little difficulty in organizing many people began to dig and construct a well, two latrines, and a sink/washing station. (Refer to the pictures). During all this exciting construction not only was I able to lend a hand but I also managed to round up an excited owner and some motivated guests and volunteers from Rancho Esperanza to assist with a school property clean up including trash removal and tree and shrub trimming. After the completion of all construction projects and cleaning, I was able to start what I had really been excited about, a food storage unit for the school lunch program associated with the World Food Program, and a mini community Library. Just take a peek!

I’ll post more information soon; I’ve got tons of photos and would really like to get into more detail on the projects. The school and I are excited about several projects for the upcoming year including the expansion of the library, (a generous supporter has just donated 160+ children’s Spanish books), reparations of the school structure including an entire new roof, reparations of the old latrine systems, and a mangrove reforestation project on the school property. These were just a few ideas the teachers, community leaders, school committee, and I were mulling over. However, we’ve got plenty of time to think some more. Enjoy and please drop me a line, I’m in the United States only until December 3, 2009.

Stephany (Estefani) Guyot

Craziness in Jiquilillo and not the good kind

Right now, I don't even know where to begin. Things have been soooo insane this week I don't even know how Nate and I are still standing and moving. To start things off Wednesday, February 4th our friend Oscar lost his small store known as Tina Mata in Los Zorros. Although this store was small it was one store which was growing within the communities. They were expanding with Nate's help to include a small menu in both spanish and english. Nate and I, along with his guests played firefighters for approximately 3 hours before the actual firefighters showed up. The entire building was lost in a matter of minutes, but we were at least able to control the fire enough to keep it from spreading.

Most recently, Nate and I have been exhausting our energy attempting to find resources to help a group of five fishermen who have now been lost at sea for 6 days. We are at our wits end. Due to high winds here in Nicaragua the Guardia will not release any boats nor helicopters to help. We've even tried Costa Rica and the US both to no avail. Together we've spent a total of $500 on gasoline for several boats to go out and search however, the guardia has asked that no more boats go out as the seas are too bad. This makes sense, but is very very frustrating. We need the US Coast Guard here, with their big machines. However, according to Lieutenant Martin in Alemeda, California there is no US help within 500 miles and they therefore are unable to help. I know this is protocol but it is soooo hard to deal with.

Nate and I are soooo exhausted, yet we don't know when these ordeals will ever stop. Everyone keep us in mind and if you have any connections please let us know! My cell is 011 505 473 9011 and the number to the hostel is 011 505 879 1795.

I'm HERE!!!

I know it’s been a long time since I’ve written. I’ve been crazy busy and was hoping to get an e-mail out to you all before I headed back down to Nicaragua. That however, did not happen, and well I’m here! As you know it’s always hard for me to adjust but it’s been a few days now and I think I’ve got the hang of it again. Classes are to start this week so I will be walking the kids to school every day! I’m hoping this will increase the motivation in the community which appears relatively low this year. It’s sad but as always the issue is well mom and dad just can’t afford the supplies. I’ve been on the lookout for materials and need to speak with all teachers about the sponsorships. So if you sponsored a child last year and would like to continue the cost is still a mear $60 for the primary school attendance. Nate, the owner of Rancho Esperanza, and I have been playing with the idea of sponsoring secondary school children however costs would be $175 per year and bus fare is required by each student. The secondary school is still only a thought, but we really like the idea of giving more opportunities to the students. The main reason for not attending secondary school is the cost of the bus.

The ambulance has only been used once this year, which is a good thing as it is in major need of repairs. Current problems include new rear brakes and a new clutch. Nate and I just repaired the supports and had the car re-aligned. The road really seems to be taking it’s toll on this vehicle. This years ambulance run was for an elder gentleman who had broken his arm and dislocated his shoulder in a fishing accident. Nate transported him to a local healer, who set his arm and spent an hour massaging his shoulder back into place. Therefore, a successful trip!

Kids club has been going strong and Nate has informed me that a new generation of children are now joining the ranks. Therefore we need to find something to do with our older kids who feel silly still coming. I’m hoping to help support a Saturday baseball league which has begun to pop up! However, club attendance has been averaging at 20 kids per day. A far cry from the 40 to 60 which we had earlier, but I figure with school starting up again, word will spread fast and the kids will return in full force.

Donations are still being excepted so if you’re interested we could always use a hand. Please make checks payable to the Assist Jiquilillo Fun and send to:
Assist Jiquilillo Fund
284 Range Road
Cumberland, Maine 04021

So Finally, You May Say

Ambulance/Vehicle

Updates on the Ambulance are amazing.  We’ve put sooo much work into this darn car and we just can’t seem to get it right.  I’ve recently decided to change mechanics, so we’ll see if this makes any difference.  The vehicle works and we have been able to do lots of runs.

Just prior to my departure and Nate’s, the hostel owner/co-driver, departure we were able to complete an average of 3 runs per month.  Thus far nothing has been life or death; however it’s been quite a relief to have the ambulance available to everyone in the three surrounding communities.  We’ve managed a total of 3 births; a diabetic attack; a major cold/flu epidemic amongst children; a large mass forming on a man’s knee; several runs to the Red Cross for three hemophiliac children; and a run to a hearing specialist for a young boy whom we thought was losing his hearing, thankfully it’s turned out to only be a mild learning disability.  Sadly we’ve also had to use the ambulance as a Hurst on two occasions.

As both Nate and I are away, I am unsure if the ambulance is being used.  We’ve left a set of keys with the staff of the hostel, and they have permission to use it in a dire emergency as they do not have a license to drive, nor can they drive a standard very well.  Jamie, Nate’s right-hand-man is still learning.  Man I’ve forgotten how hard it was to learn/teach how to drive a standard.

Costs have remained low for the repairs, which is a plus.  Nate, Jamie and I will be learning car repairs.  We have obtained a new mechanic who we hope can fine tune everything and get this vehicle up to U.S. standards, ha-ha we’ll see!!  In total we’ve spent a total of $8,575.28 including the original purchases, several major repairs, and gas purchases for emergency runs only.  Currently $1,000 remains specifically for repairs and gas!

Community Center

At the time of my departure the community center was up and running for kids club projects only.  We are patiently awaiting a carpenter to come through the hostel who would love to volunteer his/her time to make some tables and benches for the adult classes and for the kids club (hint hint!!).  Currently, we’ve only had kid’s club meetings and the kids help move furniture over if necessary or we’ve enjoy the outdoors!

Now that it is rainy season, the center will be closed until November and used as staff housing for the hostel, as it is the most secure and dry area on the property.  This works fine as the kids tend not to come often during rainy season.  When I’m talking rainy season I mean it pours everyday!  I’ve recently heard that the village is shin to knee deep in puddles and what we would consider vernal pooling.

Future plans for the community center still include adult education classes.  Since I’ve been back and have had technology at my fingertips at all points in the day, I’ve begun to do some research for project ideas.  As Nate, the owner of the hostel, and I are very focused on renewable and reusable options I’ve discovered some projects, which I’m hoping the community would enjoy to learn; including making recycled paper and using old glass bottles to create beads for jewelry.  These two would be great craft projects for the adults and young adults in the community as Jiquilillo is becoming a tourist spot, and well we all know tourists need to buy gifts!!  I am hoping this will work.

The original idea was to get sewing classes spearheaded; however, we are finding it difficult to know if this will be a sustainable project as it requires such a large start-up fund.  Nate and I have discussed, and have decided to hold off on this aspect of the adult learning until we can see some real want in the community.  This way we don’t buy 5 sewing machines which just sit.

As Nate is on vacation now, upon his return he plans to look into getting a local teacher to come once or twice a week to give adult literacy classes.  We are hoping that in the future we will also be able to hold English classes for the community members as well!  They have all shown a great interest in this but, we’ve made them promise to show that they can read and write properly in their own first.

As for kids club we’ve been having an amazing time.  The kids just adore coming to play, read, watch movies, eat popcorn, color, write, do homework, and do arts and crafts projects.  These kids are just so beautiful.  Occasionally we’ll play bingo and give prizes, the kids always have options for prizes.  Generally it is between a type of toy such as a water gun, or a toothbrush or pen/pencil.  It is so funny to see kids take the toothbrush or the pen over toy, because they know it’s their only way to get what they really need.  Kids here learn need is more important than want at a very young age.  What a difference from the states!

As for expenses associated with the community center only a total of $653.34 was spent which has included $500 for the structure (this was used for several of the bricks which Nate ran short of funding for) and the remained was used to purchase materials and necessities for the children.

School

As most of you know my real focus is the children, especially as I am a teacher, thanks to Plymouth State University.  Therefore, the school is one of my main passions.  I’ve been able to provide many many many supplies for the children and teachers, including basic supplies including maps, paper, staplers, photocopies of textbooks, dictionaries, pens, pencils, chalk, etc…  The teachers have been very receptive as has Save the Children, which has been working in the community for the past year, more or less. 

Another main project was teeth.  It is so hard to watch a 12 year old pull out one of his adult teeth, just because it is rotten.  I’ve worked hard and have been able to add a teeth brushing activity to the daily regiment of school.  Now just after the lunch (provided by a program from the Save the Children) and recess are over all the children congregate outside and brush their teeth together.  It is amazing to watch.  I’ve provided the school with toothbrushes for each child and toothpaste!!  (I never realized how much toothpaste was needed for five months for an entire school; I’m talking a lot here!)

With brushing your teeth well you need water!!  This was one thing which has disturbed me about the school.  They have been lacking water.  I’ve set up a program with the local “chicken bus” system and now have 10 gallons of water per week trucked in for each class!  Upon my departure the teachers were very pleased with this quantity.  When I return in January I will be able to check on productivity and make sure the program has run smoothly.

In total including supplies, teeth, and water I spent $657.42.  Next year, as long as the budget is there I’d like to do more!!

Children being Sponsored

As you’ve all been informed I was able to sponsor a total of 14 children to attend school.  This included all necessities, backpack, uniform, shoes, paper, pens, pencils, rulers, etc… The kids and teachers alike were very excited at the onset of this program.

I am pleased to say that upon my departure the program was still running relatively smoothly.  I’m not sure however how things have been recently as I’ve been away since August, however I am hoping for the best. 

The school runs year round in Jiquilillo with only half of December and all of January off.  Therefore, who really knows if the children are still using the supplies for the intended purpose, however, when I left in August all children who were sponsored were doing well and attending classes on a more regular basis than most!

This is a great step in the community of Jiquilillo, which has had a rather pathetic school attendance since I’ve known the community.  It’s sad to see, but I’m glad that with the help of Save the Children and Nate, owner of Rancho Esperanza, I am able to see change!

Hostel life

As for life at the hostel, when I was there, it was amazing.  Nate has been a visionary of change and has been creating new updates like they are going out of style.  He’s finished his garden bed (which I’m hoping to get my hands in in January), he’s redecorated his cabanas (they are sooooo cute now), he’s built a volunteer house, he’s changed the roof on his hostel, he’s created new furniture, and tons more…

He’s also not stopping there.  His new plans include Eco Tours, Adult Ed classes, a new kitchen, new bathrooms, and who really knows what else when you are dealing with such a driven and amazing person. 

Now that I’m gone, I realize how many things at the hostel and in the community of I seem to take advantage of while I’m there.  I revel in the lack of communication (sorry as much as I love these e-mails I’d rather spend time in the school or giving Nate a hand with his projects), I pray for warm days to keep my joints limber, I think of my puppy all the time.

Basically I’m just thankful that I was able to reconnect with such an amazing friend and entire community who showed me the world, a community in my backyard I may have never seen, and the realities of poverty and happiness all at the same time! (This I think we can all agree is priceless!)

New Projects

As for new projects, I think Nate has the best ideas and he seems to be doing great things with the community.  Also, we have an elusive faith based organization coming in perhaps in February (whom I am curious to meet).  Therefore, this may be my last hurrah, I’m currently in touch with Dentists without borders (yeah teeth!!), and am filling out an application with Engineers without Borders (trying to get water into the community).  I think these two projects on top of the several I’ve started will keep me more than occupied through this 2009 trip.  I plan to leave on January 27 and would love to meet up with anyone who has time before I go.  Please e-mail me at stephanyguyot@gmail.com

School, School and More School

So I’ve been working alongside the school now since January as you are all aware of. I’ve been making photocopies of textbooks, purchasing supplies specifically for the teachers, purchasing supplies for the classrooms and for students, new locks have been added to the classroom doors, bathroom doors have been fixed, and dictionaries and new updated maps have been bought. All in all about $1,000 will be spent. I’ve managed to spend just over half and am going to make the last large donation of supplies to the school right before I head out so that way the supplies will last through the remained of the year. The above photo shows all the teachers in the school and all the supplies which have been most recently purchased and distributed.

As for updates on my life living at Rancho Esperanza, well, well where to start.

Nate has had a birthday back at the end of February where all the kids from the community came of and threw eggs at him. Don’t worry they really like him a lot it’s just a funny custom here. What a sight though, 30 plus kids charging Nate each with at least one egg. I think he smelled for about a week. Afterwards we did a huge piñata with the kids. I’m talking huge it was bigger than me!!! As it was Nate’s birthday he was able to have the first swing at it. All in all it took about an hour to break it open. Then there was cake with the kids and festivities with the adults in the evening!

Next Nate and I got a puppy. He is sooooo cute. Don’t worry Mom and Dad I still love my cat and can’t wait to get back and see him. The puppies name is Roñoso, which means scabby. Funny thing is when we got him he was about one to two months old and he had this huge scab on the tip of his nose and well the name just sort of stuck. He’s now about four months old and he’s really lived up to his name. He loves to dig holes in the Rancho floor as it is a sand floor however the sand flies love to dig holes all over his body. Therefore he is always covered in scabs!! But he’s still cute as a button and healthy as a whip I just got his last vaccination Wednesday morning so he’s up-to-date for the year!!

Let’s see, Semana Santa, the huge celebration week leading up to Easter was insane here at Rancho Esperanza. Typically Nathan and I are dealing with crowds no larger than 25 daily. We have communal meals and people just pitch in with chores, it’s simple and really homey feeling. However, during Semana Santa Nate runs Rancho Esperanza as a fully functional hotel with a bar and restaurant with several menu options. Let me tell it was insane. We had four chefs, two waiters, we had a live musician, and three people running both the bar and doing the compost runs. And yes don’t forget we run on a composting toilet system so we were running about 40 to 60 five-gallon buckets of kitchen scraps and human waste to the compost bins daily. We averaged about 150 people on Friday night alone, which we severed at the bar and in the restaurant. I don’t think I sat down all week. Every night starting on Wednesday we had at least 100 people per day. At nights we had all six cabañas full with up to six people in each. Although, we found out later some had 10 to 15 people. However, the beauty of Semana Santa was Nate was able to raise enough money to change the roof on the main Rancho which was falling apart.

So after one week of nothing but sleep literally, Nate commenced his roof changing projects. It was fun to watch but I’m glad it only took a week to do because I’m sooo sunburned from not having any roof over my head at any point during the day and the rains have finally begun. We now have our roof back on and a nice carport for the ambulance. Check out the pictures. They actually put the palm on the roof at night (because it was cooler) by lights run from batteries as the power company cut power to our village for about almost the entire week at night.

Last but not least I’ll try and tempt you all to come for a visit with the best sunset shot I think I’ve ever taken!! It’s beautiful, peaceful and just the way of life here!! Come visit I’ll be here till July as you all know, the great thing is it’s a hostel so there is plenty of room to stay!! Check out the website http://www.rancho.esperanza.bvg3.com/ if you want more info (it needs a bit of updating which we are working