So much to tell!

I have been so busy here!  I didn't even post in the whole month of July!  Just so you know I'm alive and doing better than ever.  I have so much news.

View of the Copan River that goes through Jocotan

First, the library. We are painting!!!! it's an act of God.  When you least expect it, great things happen.  Save the Children, an international NGO is donating a bebeteca (a library section for babies!) and had funds to paint.  Initially they were only budgeted to paint their section, but after seeing the place and me begging them, they found an extra few gallons of paint and now the Mayor (of all people!) sent municipal workers to paint it.  Hopefully they will be done tomorrow or the next day.  It's a BRIGHT lime green, and I love it. It's full of energy and definately changes the space completely.  Then, last Friday I got an email from Outreach for World Hope say that they not only fundraised the amount they had pledged to buy the photocopier, but more than doubled it and now are sending $1,400 in donations!  Then, on top of that I talked to the MANCOMUNIDAD (a local organization here in Jocotan) today and they are going to pay for and install internet for the computers!
The community meeting we had went well, and working with USAID and the Reiken Foundation is a dream come true.  They really know their stuff and so motivated.  I'm just praying that they extend the library/reading programs with us for next few years so that this library will really have a good base for success.


In other news, the orphanage is going great as well.  This Friday we will be presenting three short plays the kids wrote based on the theme of citizen awareness against violence.  The event is called "BASTA YA!" and will speak about the issues of drug addiction, prostituction, gangs, the police, robbery, and injustice.  I remind you, 10-14 year old kids wrote these plays on their own.  I think it's going to be a very powerful and important event to talk about these problems in Guatemala today.  Your all invited, just in case you happen to be around Chiquimula :-)

This week I am also very busy with coordinating classes in the village of Tesoro Abajo.  The classes are to teach about maintinance and care for your outhouse and health.  This is part of a project the local community council is soliciting with the government for new outhouses for 150 familias in their village.  I helped them write the proposal and have been the liason between the government agency and the community but after these classes they will be on their own, and hopefully the project is setup for completion the following year.

Other than all that, I have my close of service conference next week and will be in Antigua Monday thru Friday doing medical appointments and filling out paperwork to return back to the United States of America! wahoo!  I'll be home by Thanksgiving everyone, and I want to see you all.

Hopefully I'll have another chance soon to write more, I have much more to tell still but it's already getting late here so I need to get home.


Peace, Love,
Robin

Check out more about Chiquimula (this weekend is the town fair) at: http://www.chiquimulaonline.com/
and the Orphanage I do my kids group with: http://www.chiquimulaonline.com/sos/