Final Pre-trip Planning

Our Rotary/HHI team had there first meeting today at the HHI office in Olathe. Several Rotary members from around the country will be traveling to Guatemala in a couple of weeks and we all made introductions. Jorge Coromac led the discussion offering us our first detailed description of what is in store for the team. (Jorge is the second fellow from the left standing in front of Jon North.)

Jon is CEO of Heart to Heart (HHI) and he and Jorge have travelled extensively in Guatemala and throughout the world. Their level of preparation for the team was obvious. We'll be visiting communities in the Lago de Atinlan area. Our home base will be Panajachel traveling via Guatemala City.

The schedule that Jorge has mapped out for us is exhaustive. We will be working with some 1600 families located in seven communities around the lake to inspect and/or install self-contained water treatment facilities. These are neat little contraptions consisting of two 5 gallon drums that you pour water in. As el agua is forced down by gravity, it goes through a series of filters that removes 100% of the parasites and 95% of the bacteria. That may not sound too tasty by American standards, but its sweet water in Guatemala.

I also want to mention that Wilma Wilcox from the Olathe Santa Fe Club will be attending. She's a world traveler and will be a great resources. (Wilma is in the center.) Theresa Jones is from the Overland Park South Club and happens to be a physical therapist. (She's between Wilma and the guy in the suspenders.)

We leave November 4th and I'll try to post again as the date approaches. We'll also be uploading photographs as the technology allows. Wes McCoy from the Olathe Club had hoped to go with us, but he has had to postpone his travels this trip. Other team members include:

Andrea Castro - Reno Central Club
Anthony Pinto - Berlin, NJ Club
Cheryl McDonough - Ocean City Upper Twp Noon Club
Jim Thomas - Mendham Club
Judi Johnson - Jacksonville/Applegate Club
Scott Brown - Ocena City Upper Twp Noon Club
Ted Lands - Tsawwassen, BC Canada Club

I'll update you on everyone as the adventure unfolds.

Paz