(Wednesday, April 6, Day 289)

"The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. Government or the Peace Corps."

Phrase of the day: Disculpame, me preguntaste para ensenar computacion en el nuevo Infocentro porque estoy moreno?... I'm sorry, did you just ask me to teach computer literacy in the new Information Center because I'm brown?

Lucky for you, I can do just that!

For the past year or so, the government of Ecuador has been setting up computer labs throughout the country, primarily in rural and/or poorer areas. They have made it to San Isidro!
The Junta Parroquial(local government) fixed up a room in their building to set up the new lab. It's not too shabby. I told them they have to put in a roof and air conditioning though; it's way too dusty and warm in there.
The government of Ecuador donated 5 computers with tables and internet for the lab for 3 years. The government's main goal is to increase computer literacy in the country, so that the people can be competetive in the world.
For the time being, I'm kind of in-charge of the place. Whenever I have time, I open the lab for anyone to come and use. It costs $0.50/hr, which is half the cost of the internet cafe in town. Really though, I only go because I have classes to teach basic computer skills to kids and older ladies who wish to learn!
And by being "in-charge", it also mean I get to decorate it in any way I wish. Yeah, there's no need to even translate it. All that matters is that Bruce Lee said it!

Sadly, the majority of the people who come are high school students. And I only say sadly because the youth of Ecuador are like the youth of everywhere. Goooo Facebook.
False. But no worries, I'm hoping to change that when I return from vacation. I'm going to promote the center more and try to get more people who have never/barely used computers to come.

(Friday, March 25, Day 277)

"The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. Government or the Peace Corps."

Phrase of the day: "Queiro pagar alguien para hacer una casa para mi pero" / "O podrias preguntarme!"... "I want to pay someone to make a dog house" / "Or you could just ask me!"

Kasie's adopted street dog. Sad from being homeless, I imagine. (That or just from being a dog?).

Yeah, we can change that. I've spent countless hours watching Bubs and Rajib make all sorts of things. And don't even get me started on our adventures with Ikea furniture around the world. We just need a good drawing and we can start with the base.

And some good hammering skills wouldn't hurt. I'm pretty sure Bubs would not approve of the lolipop though.

But we're off to a good start. A good base and a studry wall.

What in the world Rimber, why didn't you tell us you have an electric saw!?! Yeah, we didn't actually ask, oops. I had measured and cut all of the wood already with my handsaw. But he trimmed of some uneven parts, which made it look a lot better at least.

Nice work all around. She seems to like it (she being Kasie).

Whether or not her dog actually uses the house, now that's a different story.

(Tuesday, March 22, Day 274)

"The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. Government or the Peace Corps."

Phrase of the day: Despues de dos semanas: un fuego, un mural, y la clasura del programa vacional... Two weeks later: a fire, a mural, and the conclusion of the vacation program.

Things have been going as usual. Well maybe not completely as usual, but they have been going. The other day there was a fire in one of the houses near the center of town. Needless to say, these bamboo houses don't stand a chance against fires.

The family who lived there are friends of Susana, my host-cousin and the president of the local youth group. She rounded up the kids, and we all went out to collect money, food, and clothing for the family. It was a great.

Aerobics has been continuing as usual. More and more women have been coming lately. It's by far the most succesful project in San Isidro. I will hopefully post a video in a few days to show you our skills. Soccer after aerobics has become a regular. (Yeah, just imagine it less blury).

The vacation program has come to an end; the kids will be starting school in two weeks. The other day I went to Bahia to give the students names to the municipiality so that they could print certificates.

As I was traveling in the Costa Norte, I thought how cool it would be to work as one of the guys who collects the money. They're always on the outside of the car, having a great time. No worries Bubs, I won't apply for their job.

The closing ceremony itself went well. I made a video of my students saying different phrases in English and Spanish.

Kasie had hers speak in front of the extremely large crowd. There were over 120 students and family members.

We passed out the certificates and took lots of pictures.

Kasie and the youth group had a mural painted in the center of town. They spoke to an artist and he said he'd do it for free if they provided the paint. It looks really nice and it has a great message.

The phrase above the mural says: Cuando hayas talado el ultimo arbol, Cuando hayas matado el ultimo animal, Cuando hayas contaminado el ultimo rio, Te daras cuenta de que el dinero no se come... When you've cut down the last tree, When you've killed the last animal, When you've contaminated the last river, you will realize that you cannot eat money.

(Tuesday, March 8, Day 260)

"The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. Government or the Peace Corps."

Phrase of the day: Globos con agua por Dia de la Mujer; mi nuevo dia favorito!... Water balloons for Women's Day; my new favorite day!

Yeah, it just so happened that International Women's Day fell on Carnaval. All I could think was... perfect.

Carnaval equals trips to the beach and water fights. This girl was vicious with her water pale, so it was even.

Kasie and the youth group organized a parade in the morning and events in the evening for International Women's Day. It was impressive.

Unfortunately I was still not back in town, so I missed the parade and a lot of the work.

In the evening the kids and Kasie had organized skits, speeches, and a dance from a local dance class/group.

They showed a movie to conclude the day. It was in Spanish though, so I have no idea what it was about.

Happy Women's Day.