We're home.

On Wednesday, we separated into 2 groups to head to the airport. One group was stranded in Houston due to fog but managed to arrive home safely on Thursday.Today is Sunday and by now we have all settled into our own routines again. Throughout the week we have shared moments of our experiences. We each have unique yet unforgettable memories of our time in Honduras.

Thank you to all who have followed our blog. We hope you have enjoyed sharing this incredible journey with us.

Until next time, chow !!!!!!!!!
:-) Kim.

Back to San Pedro Sula.

After a 5 hour van ride from Valle de Angeles, we arrived in San Pedro Sula where we met up with the team members that went to Copain. ( It was supposed to be 4 hours but there was a lot of construction. Very scary at times. ) Upon our arrival, we went for lunch together and shared our stories of the last 2 days. Each one of us had a great time !!!!!!!!!!!!

Carol, Jeannette, Lee, Dustin and I went to the market to do some last minute shopping while Jean, Art and Eileen went to the police and fire stations. Once again they gave out badges and if they understood correctly, the police will drop some off to the hotel tomorrow before we leave.
This fire department officials were being interviewed on TV so they couldn´t stay long but they stayed long enough to exchange badges and show them around. They also introduced them to their fire dog. Jean said the dog looked healthy and happy.... a very unusual sight in Honduras. Most of the dogs are very malnurished and sickly looking. Julie and Linda came back to the hotel for some rest and relaxation.

We are preparing to go to the Rotary meeting tonight. It sounds like the hotel we are going to is quite exquisite. I´ll keep you posted.

Tonight is our last night in Honduras. Some of us fly out as early as 6:55 am and some get in to Detroit at 11:15pm. Whatever our schedule, I´m sure we will all be glad to get back to our families and our routine with great memories to last a life-time. It is amazing how one week can change your life forever. We are all going home with a new appreciation for ALL we have. We are most fortunate !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Valle de Angeles.

We are leaving the lovely cabins in Valle de Angeles today. No need for alarm clocks. The resort has parrots that start talking at 6:00 am. Whether you like it or not, you are getting up at 6:00. Yesterday, Julie was keeping them going but today was a little quieter. Instead, some awoke to Julie calling on me to tell me the computer was up and running. What she didn´t realize was it was 5:00 not 7:00 like her computer said. Oops !!!!!!!!!!! Fortunately, I was awake.... unfortunately, I don´t think the others were.

Linda, Jean, Carol and Art went to town yesterday to do some shopping. Although I haven´t seen it yet, I heard Linda bought a very cute top. They had a lovely brunch and were able to visit the police station. Jean left patches and pins for the police. Next, they were off to the fire hall where they exchanged stickers and patches while learning about their equipment. They had trucks donated from USA, Canada and Spain. They also had ambulances. The locals showed them where to find the store to buy fire department t-shirts and ice cream. (Side note - they have wonderful ice cream here...YUMMY !!!!!!!!)

On our way to the hospital, Julie and I were able to see a sugar cane "factory". They grind up the branches. The pulp is burned and the liquid (sugar) is stored in a big tank. There it is transferred to another tank where it is heated. Once the optimum consistancy is reached, it is poured into a grid to form the cubes. This type of sugar is dark, light brown sugar. At the homes, the sugar cube is stored in the fridge until needed. It is then cooked so the impurities can be skimmed off the top before using. What a simple yet fascinating procedure...... and tasty too. The sugar tastes more like our syrup.

We all met back at the resort for dinner. It was a tasty steak house. On our return, we decided to take an alternate route...... BAD IDEA. The streets are not lit up so the farther away from the restaurant we got, the darker it was. Since we were not totally sure where we were going, we decided to turn back and go the way we knew. Julie jumped on a city bus that was free of charge, Jean and Art took a mini- taxi for $1 US, while Carol, Linda and I made the journey on foot. Another early night.

This morning we are leaving for San Pedro Sula where we will meet up with the others to spend the day before flying out tomorrow morning. This has been an incredible experience.

I´m sorry for those who were unable to post comments. I know my husband,Brian tried to post several times with not much success. If there are others, we know you are thinking of us. At least for me, I was able to hear Brian´s feedback on the phone. How funny is this.... I paid $15 US for a cute little phone and 100 minutes. You gotta love Honduras pricing.

Chow for now.
:-) Kim.

Valle de Angeles.

At last, I got to see the hospital my parent's helped build for Samaritan's Purse. Sandy Cheves, and his wife Joanne told me they are responsible for the entire wing to the right. It includes dormitories to sleep 55 visiting medical teams, a surgical unit, a delivery room, a major surgery room, and optometrists room and a dental room. There is a small church inside that is filled to capacity every Sunday.

The hospital services the 30,000 inhabitants of Guaimaca and for the miles around it-all the way back to Tegucigalpa. It charges pennies for a child to be seen, and a dollar for an adult. The water supply on site is supplying the needs of the entire hospital, several homes on the compound and several outside.

The entire town has been decimated by a water system put in by our Army Corps of Engineers and other agencies. During the rainy season it collapsed the pipes. The gravel and mud entered the system and this town has nowhere near the amount of water it needs. Only a few businesses in town have water- the rest have been without for several years. They get their water from a water truck... I can't imagine!

These darling children

The children sat on benches waiting fro their chewable de-parasite medicine. The filters went in several months earlier. They all seemed so much healthier than in the villages where we first installed them. Their favorite part was receiving a sticker for swalling the yummy tasting chewable.

Breakfast at the Hotel Colonial

Every morning we would eat breakfast "traditional" Eggs, Beans, tortillas, and some ground meat. I had to have my cafe leche (coffee with milk) From left to right are the server, Jeanne Stine, Bill Sullivan, Linda Chase, Nancy Lopez, Al Lopez and Carol Windorf.

Dressed for dinner

We went to a Rotary meeting at the President of the Santa Barbara President's home. From left to right are Carol Windorf and Bill Sullivan. I'm on the right. That represents the Royal Oak Rotary Club in Honduras. Marjorie and Jim Dawson spearheaded the project.

More giveaways

This pic is of another child receiving a blanket. This one was handcrocheted from a friend of Shelley Lake. In the toddlers hands is a wriggly bracelet from the dollar store which she loved.

One of the most delightful parts of our journey was distributing the baby blankets and the toys for the children. This one was from Maureen Sullivan. With the USA label saying freedom isn't free, rings very true from Honduras. They definately are our allies: they fought beside us in every war since Vietnam.

The couple on the left are Marjorie and Jim Dawson. They have worked tirelessly to fulfill their 3H grant from RI:to install 1875 filters in the SB region. With the combined teams of Maine and our members from Canada and Michigan, we installed 45 filters that week. They are at 1000 filters and counting.

Center in blue is Nyneth, from Agua Pura Santa Barbara. She led us in our journey as we installed and monitored the filters. Without her, none of this could be done. She identifies the communities in need. Then she selects community leaders who ensure that the filters are working properly. I was thrilled to see that after one year the filters are still be used, and used properly. The consensus is that the intestinal sickness has gone away.

Last (on the right) is Allison McDonnell from the Peace Corps. She made sure we had cell phones, hotel rooms, restaurant reservations, and drivers. Without her, we would of been at a complete loss!

Uploading Pictures

Very rarely, have we had an internet connection where I could use my laptop. This morning, I have a wireless connection from my room. So I thought I'd upload a few of my favorite pics of the trip thus far.

This was taken at the site of the filter-maufacturing plant. It was really just a local villager (who was given a job) mixing cement with a pole and pouring it into molds. The filters weigh 300 pounds when they are full of sand and gravel. Yet, they do the trick. 98 percent of the contaminants are removed.

On to Gauimaca to visit Hospital Bautista

We all lazed in our hammocks before we took off. Half of us went shopping to Valle de Angeles while Kim and I went to visit the mission hospital in Gauimaca. The visit was special because my parents built the wing onto the main hospital. It is the first time we have seen it.

Valle de Angeles

For an artist who loves to shop, Valle de Angeles is heaven on earth. From the moment we arrived we had a swinging time, lounging in our hammocks in front of our cabanas. Later we walked into town to see the wonderful artists. Valle de Angeles is famous for its woodwork

Parting ways.

Yesterday we were unable to post on the blog. The team separated to go in different directions. Eileen, Jeannette, Al, Nancy, Bill, Dustin and Lee went to Copan to see the ruins. Julie, Carol, Linda, Jean, Art and I went to Valle de Angeles to see the sites. Julie and i will be going to see the hospital that was built by her parents and Samaritan´s Purse (associated with Franklyn & Billy Graham).

Any way, I don´t know how the other team fared but we had a four hour bus ride on a "Greyhound" bus. It was very comfortable..... and they actually stopped half way for a quick toilet break. The roads were not bad so we were able to endure the trip.

Upon our arrival, we were pleasantly surprised to see our new accommodations. There are clusters of cabins that form a circle with a garden in the center. The cabins each have a hammock on the front porch. They even have an above ground swimming pool.

Once we got settled, we went for a walk in town. There we were able to buy some local wares. We bought jewelry, hand bags, a duffle bag, and magnets. The town was most quaint. We are enjoying our stay.

It was an early night. By 7:00 I was in my room. I went back to the reception desk to use the internet only to find it in the dark. They did have English TV so I was all set.

Talk to you soon.
:-) Kim.

De-Parasiting.

Today we said farewell to our new friends from Maine, USA. Julie took a video of Jim Dawson´s experience with the water project in Honduras. They are a great group to work with.

We went back up another winding road to another village in the mountains. This time we were on the south side. There, Julie and I handed out de-parasiting medicine. The others did a filter inspection after one year of usage. They love the fresh water.

The highlight of the day was giving the medicine to the children who are healthy and happy. It was hilarious watching Julie entertain the children. She had them doing the actions to "If you´re happy and you know it, clap your hands..." while she sang. Once they mastered that song, she moved on to Simon says. Believe it or not, some of them actually understood enough to do it correctly. The children were having a riot participating while the adults were busting a gutt watching her. She is truly incredible with them. What a joy watching her.

Later, when were all together, Julie played frisbee with them. They just about decapitated one another but there were big smiles (sannes) nonetheless. Our last treat with them was when Lee pulled out skipping ropes. Eileen and Jeannette twirled the rope while I showed them how to jump. We thought they would learn how to make use of the limited ropes by playing with 3 to a rope but that was very short-lived. They didn´t even try..... they were fine to go it alone and they will share the ropes.

This afternoon and tonight is free-time so instead of enjoying the 85 degree weather, Julie and I are in the cafe writing to you. We are still trying to learn how to upload pictures. You´ll know once we figure it out.

Chow for now.
Kim & Julie.

Bio-sand filter production.

We are officially filter installers. We did a great job getting 2 villages set up with water filters. The peace corps volunteers are amazing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We climbed lots of rocky roads up and down the mountain after a one hour windy ride in trucks. The Mazdas are awesome. We all put in a hard day............ our muscles will tell the tale tomorrow.
We are off to our first Rotary meeting.ç
Kim.

Bio'Sand Filter factory.

Today we visited the site where the bio-sand filters are made. It was a very simple yet very productive assembly plant. We practiced filling the filter with the gravel, sand, etc.
Tomorrow we will be doing it for real. We took lots of pictures that will have to be uploaded later since I don´t know how to do it ..... especially when the instructions are in Spanish.
There were two little boys (the sons of one of the workers) who were so adorable. The older one was very shy but allowed us to take his picture. I gave them M&M´s which they gladly accepted. Later, when we were watching their father make an actual filter, the younger one was sitting on the ground with his glass and spoon, shovelling like he had seen his dad do. Later, he added water like he had also known his dad did. It was priceless watching him. I think he was around 2 years old. Oh how adorable !!!!!!!!!
We also had a tour of Santa Barbara. Their culture is very warm and friendly. The lady at the restaurant we ate at for lunch was sooooo sweet. She was greatly appreciative of our patronage.
We are now ready to retire for the evening.
Talk to you soon.
¨Kim.

-Change in weather-

I´m sad to say we did not get the freezing weather you got in Canada and the US last night. We awoke to a bright sun and warm weather. From my room I could not see the sunrise but I´m sure it was beautiful. We are going to tour the factory where the bio-sand filters are made. It is our hope that we have internet access so we can post pictures on the blog. This hotel has an internet room so it is most convenient.
The shower was TOTALLY INCREDIBLE !!!!!!!!!!! It was like being hit with a fire hose. To clear my sinuses, I faced the shower to let the hot water massage into my face. Not such a great idea. I think my nose is now repositioned. Ha ha. Okay, maybe there wasn´t THAT much power.... but close.
Any way, I hope everyone has a terrrific day. Hope to chat again soon.
:-) Kim.

We made it !!!!!!!!!

We have arrived safe and sound. We are happy to be where it is not so windy. The flight to Miami was a bit rough but all is well. We are pretty tired so we are going to bed now. We head to Santa Barbara tomorrow. We will post when we get to a computer next.
:-) Kim.

We made it !!!!!!!!!!

We made it !!!!!!!!!!

We're on our way !!!!

Well, it is Wednesday morning and I'm sure the households' of the participants are a buzz of activity. I think I can speak for the team in saying we are sooooo excited about going. This is going to be a wonderful experience for all involved. I hope we are able to have internet access and that you will follow our journey. Wish you could be here too.
I can't wait to see the kids faces when we show up with toys, and the hospitals with all the blankets and the toothbrushes and toothpaste............ well, you get the point. Seeing their smiling faces is the best reward.
So long !!!!!!!!
:-) Kim.

It's past my bedtime

It is now early Sunday morning. It is impossible to recount every special moment of this fabulous conference called Thirsting to Serve. I realize I forgot to mention my talk with Ron Denham, CEO of WASRAG (Water and Sanitation Water Rotary Action Group- www.wasrag.org. Or seeing the smiling faces of Jeff and Mary Lichy when I signed in on Saturday. Or the great breakfast I shared with Judy Garver. All of this and the trip hasn't begun. (Ugh oh...this is my very first blog and it went on and on (lol) maybe Kim should do this! She was right! Blogging is fun and easy!

More coincidences....

Guess who I sat next to on the bus to Cascade Engineering? None other than the President? of Pure Water for the World. When we talked, he asked the questions and I'm afraid I didn't ask as many of him. He was so encouraging, asking what we were doing, and who we've been working with.. (Carolyn Meub, the CEO of PWW).

Trip to Cascade Engineering (Friday afternoon)

One of the engineers who attended the HydrAID workshop was Ary Vreeken, of Samaritan's Purse. That organization is the one that my parents helped build the hospital in Guaimaca (which I will see on Monday the 16th) Was it coincidence that I sat next to him- not knowing who he worked for? Hmmm by this time I was getting suspicious that God was at his work of acting mysteriously. Samaritan's Purse has also installed hundreds of bio-sand filters in Honduras. It is one of those NGOs we can share containers with for shipping.

Thirsting to Serve (cont'd)

Dr David Manz left and Jim Bodenner of Hydraid
http://www.jbodenner.com/


On Friday,

I was able to attend the first ever HydrAID Network. I learned how the new filters were designed by Dr. Manz and are being produced in their new plastic form by Cascade Engineering. NGO directors and engineers came from all over the world to attend this event. Jim Bodenner and his partners and Rotary District contributed one million dollars to funding the filters usage in the Dominican Republic. Jim explained how they renamed the filters from International Aid to HydrAID so "we" could take ownership of these filters. (He slapped the Rotary labels on himself for a shipment going via the US Navy to Guatemala.)

Best wishes from Thirsting to Serve (cont'd)

Tony Medina, District Water Chair for Honduras

If you look at this picture of Tony's head and superimpose it on the country of Honduras, you will see there is an arrow pointing to San Pedro Sula and right to him. HE IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! He can provide the knowledge of how to navigate with Rotary in Honduras, as we seek to create our own project. I hope he will make it back to the USULA Rotary Club in time for our meeting in San Pedro Sula on our last night of the trip. Tony's background makes him our go to person- He has worked with Pure water for the World, and with the Honduran Government in a program funded by US AID. He navigated through a 3H project this year in the mountains behind San Pedro Sula. He is the Assistant District Governor for the La Ceiba Rotary Club, and helped form its newest club- the Choloma Rotary Club. He is fluent in English, and received his BS degree from Agricultural Studies and a minor in Information Studies from SE Missouri State. His wife and he own Threads and Trims Supplies. He is an expert in the import-export business- working with US AID in FIDE (Foundation for Investment and Development of Exports) Tony began working in Rotary as a charter member of his interact club when he was 14, following in the steps of his father (40 years in USULA Club San Pedro Sula) and his grandfather who was a charter member of the Santa Rosa de Copan club. Wow! If he is what we are going to find connection-wise in Honduras..it will be an awesome trip

Best wishes from ThirstingtoServe.og

I just returned to day from http://www.thirstingtoserve.org/ in Grand Rapids at Calvin College. It was an amazing experience. Eileen Heasley, John and Joyce Joyce, Bob Carr and incoming DG JudyGarver were in attendance from 6380. At least five other districts were represented as well. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting and dining with the man who designed the bio-sand filter- Dr. David Manz of Calgary, Alberta, CA. Since he patented his filter, they are being used to save thousands of lives. At least 200,000 filters are now in 70 countries. He is very modest, and doesn't like the spotlight- but boy does he ever deserve it. To learn more about his design, you can visit http://www.manzwaterinfo.ca/. I find it very neat that he knows about our project, and seemed delighted to see more people benefit from his life-changing design.

A few days before we go.

Thanks to generous donations from two dentists from our club, Dr. Mark Vanderkaay and Dr. Larry Duffield, we now have a few hundred more toothbrushes and paste to give to rural Hondurans. 78 percent of all Hondurans get their water from ground sources. Toothbrushes are uncommon. Missing teeth are plentiful.

Thanks to RO Rotarians Dorothy Sheldon, Maureen Sullivan, and PAG Shelley Lake, we have beautiful receiving blankets, for infants in the neo-natal ward of the local hospital in Santa Barbara. Others from our group are bearing gifts as well. I'm sure all will be appreciated.

One of those bearing gifts was Stephen Youltz, our incoming DG 2012. He was bringing 6 Nagene water bottles to give to our Peace Corps volunteers. It is with great regret that Steve had to cancel his trip, just three days out. I told him he could hand deliver some next year as we embark on a district-wide venture. This is my greatest hope for 6380.

We're getting ready !!!!!!!!

Hi everyone:
Well, there is a buzz of emails being sent to and fro in preparation for our adventure to Honduras. This week we are busy purchasing gifts for our hosts and the children we will be meeting along the way. Everyone is finding great bargains. The excitement is mounting as departure day draws nearer.
We are thankful for talented people like Heather Sarson for setting up our blog. We hope you will enjoy our trip as you follow our journey.
Chow for now !!!!!!!!
:-) Kim.