Phrase of the day: Nuestro mundo necesita mas chicos como ellos... Our world needs more kids like them
Builders Beyond Borders(B3)/Engineers Without Borders and the Tingo Water Project. The reason we were in Tingo... well, moreso because of George.
George is a volunteer living in probably the highest site in Ecuador. Even while dealing with super cold temperatures and high altitudes, he is one of the best volunteers in the country. During his time here, he has been working with an organization called B3. They have been building a system to bring water to the people of Tingo.
B3 (http://www.buildersbeyondborders.org) is based out of Connecticut and basically takes high school students on alternative Spring Breaks around the world. The kids all raise a certain amount of money, and then they travel to a country and work rigorously for their holiday. It may sound like every other alternative spring break, but it definitely is not. I have never seen kids so dedicated to get work done.
Which is exactly why we were in Tingo as well. We were there to help dig, to share our experiences/knowledge of Peace Corps, and to help translate for the students. Clearly, I focused on the digging part! (Well, until I got sick on Tuesday night). The view from Tingo, like a picture in National Geographic.
The goal for the week was to dig a large section, lay the pipe, cover the section, and then hopefully install a faucet and see water come to town on its own for the first time ever. We began our day with breakfast and more tea. This time it was made with oregano and tons of sugar; it tasted like a pizza. We all like hot liquids less now.
The digging begins. The girl in blue was hilarious, and we worked together for my few days there.
Wow, how deep do we need to go? 4ft!?! Thankfully this kid was a machine. I, on the other hand, was dying from the altitude. 
Snack brought to us by the locals each day was a nice break. They always had tea and fruit/bread/popcorn. Yes, popcorn is very common here. Everyone seems to love it and eat it with their soup. 
Speaking of the locals, they were very appreciative of the help, and worked alongside the kids to accomplish the project. 
Marky Mark in the house! Nope, but this guy was even cooler. Former Peace Corps Volunteer... Engineer with Engineers Without Borders... Fulbright Recipient... AND coolest of all, he even had similar expressions as MM. He and George were in charge of the project. 
By the end of Day 2, everyone was pretty tired. The altitude was rough, and stomachs were acting up. They all did a great job though. 
And even while being tired, the kids would play EcuaVolley with the locals after digging. 
We were in the Highlands; Llamas(Alpacas?) and cold times. Speaking of which, we(volunteers) all waited to shower until we returned to Latacunga. (5 days... gross). 
Unfortunately, I left the project early because I needed to return to San Isidro to pack for home! But I hear all of the pipe was layed, the faucet was installed, and Tingo now has water! By far the best experience I've had here yet.
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