Day Two - Some of the Rest of the Story

We have three videos from today and a few pictures out of the hundreds that were taken. The first two pictures are of Jorge and Aura Ramos Yach who you haven't met yet.




It this picture, Jorge is offering the team a step-by-step lesson in how to construct and explain the operation, care and use of the water care system. For the record, Jorge is absolutely the guy you want for a sojourn like this. He's from Guatemala and he knows the people and the ways of this world. He is charming, quick, well organized and just an all around good guy. HHI has a champion here who really helps us pampered Americans feel good about what we're doing and how we're doing it.

The real "rock star" is Aura. She is fluent in Spanish and the local native dialect. She has won the hearts of a people who are close knit but suspicious of outsiders who promise gold but deliver ... (Well, you can fill in the blank.)

She is new to HHI but provides that kind of link that build social capital between peoples who live worlds apart.

The next two images are of Jim and Andrea. Both of these good people are fluent in Spanish along with Wilma and Judi. Jim was in the Peace Corp and learned on the ground. Andrea's family in from Costa Rica and is quite at home here. They're great to have around when all you have is restaurant Spanish like me.






Andrea also shot this first video. It gives you a sense of the setting as we meet with the families in Cerro de Oro who were to receive the water filtration equipment this visit. We felt a little conspicuous in our red Rotary shirts, but that was the plan. As we traveled the region, HHI (and Jorge) want people to see us and ask questions. The best first move into the future is one that comes from them, not the Gringos from America.



The second video is of Ted carrying 10 water filtration system to the boat launch. It was about a 30 minute ride across the lake and this one load will serve 10 families (about 40 people) for up to two years. Think about it. Clear, safe water for two years. Ted the miracle worker.



The last video is of Jon. I've gotten to know him much better over the last few days. A father of four and a god-father to thousands. When the good Lord thought of compassion, he gave Jon a double share.



I'll close this evening with a little deeper appreciation with what we in America have and the good that can be done. And, yes, clean, safe water is a privilege, but it should be a right. It is within our ability and our resources to offer the world this one simple dream. Thank goodness Rotary helps us see the world a little more clearly on days like today.

Paz