I know it's been a while!

Sorry! I had all intentions of writing daily and then time just flies by!! I was afraid it would! I can't believe I left home a week ago and I only have one week left!!!

So, I have been very busy working in the village. Katie and I put in a solar water heater for an elderly woman. It ended up being a three day project because of needing parts and having to drive in town to get them. The woman was so appreciative! Katie is also very appreciative of my help. Because she is the only person with Dollars for Change there are things she can't do unless she has a volunteer. It feels good to know that one woman is now able to have hot water in her sink and even shower with hot water because I'm here volunteering.

Katie and I also worked with a couple this afternoon that had never used a computer before. They are really sweet, kind people who want to learn how to use a computer to help them in the job market. The unemployment rate in the village is over 50%, so anything they can put on their resume to make them stand out helps.

I was amazed at how hard they worked and how eager they were to learn. When I have typing class with my fourth graders, usually after 15 minutes they're bored, but I worked one on one with the man and he typed for almost two hours! Because I'm here, we were able to work one on one and really give each of them our full attention.

We also met with a woman today that makes knit hats, mittens, scarves and rugs. They're for sale at Rocky Road for back packers to buy. I've been telling everyone to buy them and one couple bought almost everything she has made so far! When Katie phoned to tell Johanna (the knitter) she was screaming into the phone "thank you, thank you!" She also has a soup kitchen in her home so that kids can bring a cup and get free soup. Katie and I picked up supplies for today to knit more and to make some improvements in her home.

I had this idea before I came that people who live in shacks that don't have running water or a toilet must be depressed and hopeless. Every person I have met is so positive and upbeat. They have a real will to survive and better their lives and their childrens' lives. It's amazing to see people living on so little and appreciating so much!

The children in the village are so smart! The Social Club (as the kids call Katie's after school group) is in the middle of an HIV session. I'm amazed at how much they know and how willing they are to talk about the social issues in the village around HIV/AIDS. They went as a group last year to get tested and talked about what it felt like. Katie and I have played some great games with them to learn the vocabulary. At the end some of the kids were hanging out playing with my hair. One girl, who is in the fourth grade was asking me a bunch of questions about how old I am, if I'm married, if I have kids, etc. When I told her I was engaged she was so excited! I told her the wedding is going to be next July. She said she would love to come to Maine to do my hair the day of my wedding! When I explained to her that it's about 27 hours away, she was a little surprised, but said she still wanted to come. =)

Now that I've spent quite a bit of time with the kids and am getting to know them, I realize that some of the connections will last a lifetime for the kids and myself. We're talking with them about serious issues and educating them on things that their parents don't know (or wont' talk about). Katie does such important work and continues to give invaluable time to the village.

The rest of this week will consist of working with the couple who is learning to type again, installing solar water heaters and working with the Social Club. There are always small projects that various people need our help with as well that pop up randomly. I'm so happy to be here meeting amazing people and hopefully impacting some of them.