Hold On To Your Hats! Sara's FULL La Libertad report.

Here it is, about seven pages.  Tasteful, constructive, and encouraging comments welcomed.

Link to Sara's FULL report!

Safe to go to Colombia?

Thanks for the Facebook post Barbie!

3 Misconceptions About Colombia (And Why You Should Go)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bootsnall/3-misconceptions-about-co_b_1209366.html

THE STATE OF THE STATE (uh... village) ADDRESS

The first picture of the inside of the new guesthouse.

I just finished reviewing the report from our first volunteer. It was very revealing about the state of the project. We are still very much still in phase one.  

This is a summary of some of the problems mentioned in her report:

1) Gustavo, my contact in the village, does not seem to clearly understand the role of the volunteers, and his role, in the village.

2) Gustavo has not adequately informed the mayor of the village of the project’s goals, probably because he does not clearly understand them himself.

3) The guesthouse is adequate, but does not allow for much security of personal items.

4) The shower is not yet working and probably needs much work, if it is started at all, to become functional.

5) We have a lot of work to do on helping the villagers to understand the concepts of sustainability, to which there may be apathy.

6) Cell phone connection problems and no internet connectivity.

7) Access to fresh fruit is limited.

8) Language communications problems.

9) A good first aid kit is needed.

10) Continued potable water problems.

I understand that many of these problems are due to the newness of the program. I also believe that all of the problems, with the exception of internet connectivity and apathy, may be sufficiently addressed before and during our next volunteers' visits. I have to give Sara, our volunteer, a big thanks for being the first to “test the waters”.

But, given the problems mentioned, I offer Sara's own words to describe the positives that she experienced:

"In conclusion, I am afraid that this report seems very negative, but I am only focusing on the problems, because I had a wonderful time! I am really sad that I had to leave earlier, I enjoyed every minute of this experience. Living among the community, with no communications with the outside world, no internet, no noise, no electricity, in the middle of the nature, with the Amazon River in front of me, and with a very kind, warm family, was one of the best experiences of my life. I would not change it for anything, I loved it! I think this was one of the best experiences in my life.”  “The kids are amazing, the community is beautiful and there is a feeling of peace there that cannot be described.”

About two hours ago I spoke with Gustavo for about 30 minutes (during which time I was cut off about 8 times due to poor signal).  I believe he now understands the direction and goals of the program (but I had though this before).  However, I am now contracting with a translator in the city of Leticia (who is also the owner of an ecotourism business) who will help Gustavo to understand the project and also serve as an interpreter for volunteers who have limited Spanish-speaking skills. 

So where do we go from here?  Please wait for my next exciting blog posts!

Sunday Update -NGOs, and visitors

I have sent emails to NGOs who work in Colombia.  These include Corporación Esfera Azul, who specialize in improving rural communities, the International Center for Tropical Agriculture, who specialize in eco-efficiency agriculture, PATH, a global health agency, Colnodo, a rural development agency, and the UNICEF  TAP project, which helps bring clean drinking water to communities.  Hopefully they will be interested in partnering with us!

There are two couples who are interested in volunteering in La Libertad, one in February and the other in March. The first couple, Howard and Sarah from the UK, work in international environmental & sustainability consultancy and English language teaching and counseling. The second, Daniel and Diane from Spain, are a nurse and another English language teacher.  We hope to see them in the village!

Our Volunteer Leaves Early

Our volunteer, Sara, had to leave early because of a family emergency.  I have received a brief email from her and expect a longer one later.  Our prayers are with her.

Sunday Update -News from the Pueblo

The airline had delayed Sara's baggage for a day, but she is in the village and doing well.  I eagerly await her next email.

In the news stateside I will be giving a presentation about the Amazon Pueblo project in May, at the Camden Public Library, in Camden, Maine, USA.  The exact date will be published soon.

The First Image of the New Guest House

This is the first image of the project's new guest house.  It was completed last month by Gustavo.  There is also a small bath house in the back, which I hope to have a picture of soon.  We are well on our way to completing phase one of the project.

In other news, our first volunteer is arriving today.  We hope to have an update on her progress in the coming days.  Good luck Sara!

Our First Volunteer in the Amazon!

We have our first official volunteer in La Libertad.  Thank you to Sara from Portugal for being our first volunteer, starting next week.  She will be studying environmental problems and solutions in the village, teaching English, and helping gather more needed information.  We hope to get some exciting posts from her in the future!

Communication Problems with the Amazon!

For the past 3 days I have been unable to contact Gustavo in La Libertad.  His cell phone goes directly to voice mail.  This could mean that he is having problems with his phone, or that he is out on a long trip out of cell range.

While this would not usually mater, there is a person in Peru now, who is studying environmental engineering in university, who wants to go to the village next weekend to volunteer!  I sent an email to Gustavo yesterday, and I found a different number to call -which I will try later tonight.

More on this exciting drama to come...

Gustavo's Family Sept 2010

Gustavo's Family Sept 2010, a photo by Amazon Pueblo on Flickr.