Since last writing there has been lots of activity with the youth group and the near completion of the Agro-Forestry charla series. The youth have been continuing full steam and we are entering the home stretch of a planning process for our first large fundraiser. Through smaller fundraisers like the bingo events and selling of food and refreshments, we have successfully raised enough money to bring in a well known DJ for a "campo fiesta". This is pretty big news in the community and it looks like the date we picked is a good one because there are no other parties happening in nearby towns that would draw away attendees.
The funds that the youth group has raised are not only going to the throwing of parties for generating more funds. Since we have started working together, the community has seen the completion of the new chapel. Started over two years ago the recent completion of the roof and walls, just in time for Easter, were made possible solely by the support of the youth group which paid for labor and a few materials. This project was one of the old and continuing projects of the youth group that was under the chapel before I began to work with them.
As for the where the youth will next set their sights in the community, it is still undetermined and will more than likely be decided by a vote after the party. Possisble project candidates are in the sectors of agriculture and health and sex education.
Continueing with small secondary projects I will begin to teach english classes next weekend. There will be two english classes per week, one saturday and one sunday. I am really looking forward to this although I must admit it is a very daunting task and I am quite nervous about the first few classes. Also I have began teaching basic computation skills to the professors at the local elementary school. The school recently recieved two computers from the municipality and no one knows how to effectively use them. My hope is to get the teachers into using microsoft excel to plan their classes and educational calendars, as well as keep records of students and scores.
Unfortunately I do not have any pictures to share with this post but I am sure that a few of my PC colleagues will be coming out to my site for the fiesta so I will have to ask them for some photos.
-Cheerio
Mixing Mortar (Mescla)
Kai Milanio mixes the mortar that we used in the construction of his new fogon. The mortar for common brick construction in Paraguay is a simple mixture of common red earth and clay.
Construction of Stove Compartment
Antonio, local mason, works on the construction of the stove compartment.
Interior Completion
This is the completed structure of the Fogon. The wood enters on the lef and the chiminey goes out the wall to the left. The fogon will receive one final layer of finish mortar and maybe tiles to complete it.
Chiminey and Damper
As you can see the chiminey compartment has started its climb up the exterior wall. Above it is the slot for the damper that will be used to moderate the heat while useing the oven.
Finishing Touches
Ontop the ladder Antonio applies the last few bricks to the chiminey that was brought up through the eve to give the proper clearance for the smoke and heat output.
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