Reports_Ecuador

Stories From The Field

Ecuador:

Pam Gilbert Reports:

Unexpected hurdles on Pam’s 11th Visit to Malingua Pamba, Ecuador

Late April, 2008

War or no war between Ecuador and Columbia? Due to a MUCH wetter winter than normal, the normal/shortest route to Malingua Pamba had been closed since early January due to mudslides. The other route(s) were continuously being compromised by derrumbes (mudslides) – word we all soon learned!

This was the first time that I ever bought trip insurance!

Pam Joel Drew Tina Brett Jill Steve Brad Zeke Ben Christopher

NGO EWB EWB British Aussie Translator EWB EWB EWB EWB EWB

teacher Cook

Joel & EWBs packing 58 boxes which arrived courtesy of William & Airline Ambassadors on one Land Rover.

Traveling the Malinguan Way

Rich (my honey), Gordie & Bob Morton (my nephew & bro-in-law), and Bonner also volunteered.

So, now that you know the players,what was accomplished during the 4th EWB Visit?

Short Answer: LOTS!!!

Goals:

* Get potable water down to Tunguiche and nearby communities – Majority of this was accomplished.

* Train “maestros de cemento” – focusing on Brad’s meticulously designed & packed re-useable tank forms - Enrique, Pedro, Abelino, & Eugenio are ready & willing with a VERY LARGE support group - a Minga.

* Train “maestros de plomería” – focusing on PVC – Joel gave both classroom & field lessons.

Brad and Steve teaching their eager students.

The Tunguicheans were jubilant

about the quick and easy

to use tank forms.

Preparing & moving the forms

for the next tank pour.

Paulino, the President of Malingua Pamba and Chair of the Water Board reports that not only are the people overjoyed to have easier access to water, but that relationships between communities as well as neighbors have improved;

oh, and of course, their health & sanitation are improving.

BTW, how did EWB first get

involved with Malingua Pamba?
Two years ago, EWB agreed to take on the Water Project because I asked for help to get the shower working in the Colegio (jr-sr high). It not only works just fine, but the kindergarten kids are washed weekly as are the elementary kids.

They LOVE having running (hot) water!

On the Educational Front:

The Cancha – the concrete playground &“bleachers” have been requested for several years. Paulino pulled some strings and got this poured with “modest” financial help from our foundation.

This promotes better unity with nearby communities.

We have 3 students who have “graduated” from Centro Educativo La Minga and are continuing their studies in the big provincial capital of Latacunga. Carmen has found M-F domestic work for a family of 11 living in Quito, the capital of EC. On Saturdays, she commutes 2.5 hrs each way by bus to Latacunga to study at Unidad Educativa a Distancia. She wants to be a lawyer to “help the poor.” I must admit that I am both proud of her motivation and concerned about her “big city” living environment away from family.

The marvelous school materials recently purchased as a result of Sytske of Holland (see pre-trip newsletter) were immediately put to good use by Tina, our British volunteer teacher. She also taught/demonstrated to the other teachers these wonderful materials.

Ivan, an orphan won the heart of Jenny a Colorado teacher who volunteered last July. He was delighted to hear that she was going to sponsor him ($60/yr) so that he could attend Colegio.

If you are interested helping one of our upcoming graduates (like Carmen), $150/yr will cover their school fees. I promise to monitor their grades and attendance.

We are anticipating 15-20 new “octavos/8th graders” in September. If you would like to be a sponsor, please send your tax-deductible check ($60/yr) written to:

Centro Educativo La Minga, Inc. and mailed to:

PO. Box 1877

Granby, CO 80446

What is still missing?

We could really use some Medical and Dental help. Gordie, my nephew distributed toothbrushes that were immediately put into service! Let me know if you have any leads for me to chase on the health front.

The Irrigation Project – Phase I is slated to begin (if we get the Int’l Matching Grant from Rotary). If we can improve their crops, we can improve their standand of living… and perhaps my foundation would move it’s energy to a neighboring community. See below teaser.