I have just about hit the two month mark in my site. Two months of slowly integrating, slowly learning, and slowly adapting. I have been ready to start a project for a while now so I figured ‘why not’ and did just that. For us Peace Corps Volunteers the first few projects at site are called ‘easy wins’ simply because they are in fact ‘easy wins’. They are projects that do not take a ton of planning and are pretty hard to fail at. With this goal in mind, I discussed with my community’s local government about a hole filling project and with their approval put my plan in action this Saturday.A hole filling project? What the heck is that, and what does it have to do with rural health? This is what you are asking yourself.Answer: There are two large fosas (holes) that are remains of the house building project that was completed a few years ago. These holes were very useful at the time, they were made in order to mix cement for the construction process, however lately, meaning the last two years, they have done nothing but take up space. And what I mean by taking up space is that they have been serious health hazards for the community for two main reasons: reason one; they are a danger for the kids. Think about it, summer time, bored kids… let’s do some hole jumping! NOT ON MY WATCH! Filling these suckers up is going to save some limbs! Reason two, mosquitoes. Mosquitoes love dark/damp spots to grow. They also love spreading dengue and malaria – aka, they all must go. These holes were hitting ‘Peace Corps Volunteer’s pain in the ass’ with an honor roll grades. It was simple, letting the holes continue to be holes, would be letting the terrorists win.Thus, by filling the holes, we are killing the mosquitoes and saving the children. With death comes life, right? Anyway, Saturday at 2pm, armed with a shovel, a goal and 10 bags of chips (snacky poo’s for those who wanted to work) we filled the heck out of those holes. On a serious note, it was a great opportunity to work with the community, let them know that I am note afraid to get dirty, and I finally felt like one of the guys! All in all a success! Life is good!
Let's take a look at what we are dealing with. You can't really get a perception of the depth here (get it? depth perception?) - but trust me it is really deep, I would have to climb to get out.
Here is my sister. She is nice, sometimes she makes fun of me.
Let's take a look at what we are dealing with. You can't really get a perception of the depth here (get it? depth perception?) - but trust me it is really deep, I would have to climb to get out.
Here is my sister. She is nice, sometimes she makes fun of me.
Can you guess which one is me? That's right! Far right, blue shirt, in the background
Fill that hole up!
What?! You didn't think I could pick-axe?
"Here's a shovel, can you dig it?" - Tag Team (back again)
I'm looking for dirt everything!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
One of my boys.
This is Oscar, he passes the ball to me in soccer. Thanks for that.
OH BABY!!!!!!!!!
TAKE THAT MOSQUITOES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3 comments:
Way to fill that hole! I really like the idea of the small, simple projects. Good way to "point some points on the board" so to speak. Sometimes when faced with an overal daunting task, just putting some of those small points up can really help. Good work young man!
Love all the pictures!!! Keep them coming!!!
Hey Jimbo Its Melissa Weiland (Randy Weiland's daughter), one of your second or third, or 1-10 cousin. Whatever the number is I know we are related! =). We missed you yesterday at Great Uncle Paul's it would have been nice to see you again. Your mom gave me your blog site and was telling me some of your stories! I am happy for you that you took a chance and did something to make a difference!! I really look forward to reading your previous entries and those to come! Its amazing what you have done and your hard work is not going unnoticed! Keep it up! If you wanna email to keep some normalcy you can email me at mdweilan@hotmail.com. Hope you are doing well =) and hope to hear from you soon.
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