Saturday, April 25, 2015

Friday at Clean Water U









We learned lots about how and where to get our supplies for teaching the modules and how to pack them to go “in country”  We prepared for our presentation to the rest of the group concerning the actual things we would teach and how we would go about it (methodology).  We also discussed how to keep the education going after we go back home.  We are charged to take enough teaching supplies to leave with the community for the training of 200 more people after we are gone.  A trainer of trainers model of education.

A word or two about the food.  It has been rather high quality camp food.  What does that mean.  Well, we’ve had pizza, spaghetti, sandwiches, hamburger covered with gravy, etc.  The selections are “camp” but the quality has been good. The salad bar has been available at each meal.  Breakfasts have included eggs at every meal along with biscuits and gravy (that folks rave about) waffles, sausage and other regular breakfast things.  I’ve been going to the fruit area with yogurt, peanut butter (and apples) etc.  I’ve missed being in charge of what is served for breakfast because 5 weeks ago I re-joined Weight Watchers and lost 5 pounds so far.  I am determined not to gain—I may not lose, but that’s okay—altho with all the walking up hill and down, who knows.  I’ll weigh in on Monday when I get back to see how I did.  Those who know anything about W W know that food intake is tracked (this time on my phone) and plans are made with breakfast to stay within the allotted # of points for your current weight.  Yesterday for example, not knowing what would be for lunch or supper, I keep my # of points used down as much as possible.  Lunch was pizza- rather high in points, supper was an object lesson meal—just beans and cornbread—to simulate what might be eaten at a meal “in country”.  I thought okay this will keep me within my points.  2 ladles of beans is, depending on how they are cooked, 8-15 points.  It’s difficult not being in charge of what’s to eat.  Another object lesson.

             The facilities are comfortable, but not swanky.  I am appreciative of the WiFi when it is available.   And I’m so glad I brought an extra blanket—I would have been more comfortable with a sleeping bag, but I’ve been okay.The early morning tea on the porch is really calm and lovely.   



Harry has been going over forms needed for assessment and learning how to elicit information from the community to assure all will be well when we go to their country.  And the water guys (Dane, Walter and Gary) will report to us on Saturday what they’ve been doing and we will drink the water they produced.

Friday we had the opportunity to meet with folks who know all about a specific country—Guatamala, Mexico, Yucatan, Peru,  Honduras and others.  These are the countries in which a network exists (there are 11 networked countries).  A network means that Clean Water for the World organization has people in the country, sometimes more than one, who help with assessment, who know good translators and drivers-- who just assist.  We have been encouraged to choose one of the networked countries for our first mission. 


The Friday reports of the 101 (Administrative) group were eye-opening and entertaining.  We gave our report in song and story.

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