Hello from the other side of the world!

Well--as things so often happen--we had to make another run to town as Jenny (from Canada) got bit by one of the villagers dogs. Luckily she had on two pairs of pants but it still broke her skin so we thought it best to come to the nearest hospital. So the women jumped in the jeep with Yuan & off we went. By the time we got to Qiu Bei, everything was closed so we'll go ASAP in a.m.. She is feeling fine & has a call into her own doctor so we aren't too worried. But while we're here...

The Wash
We quickly gathered up the filthiest clothes to wash in Qiu Bei--and filthiest is being a bit under descriptive. The lady at our hotel took us up to the roof where they had what you might call "half wash machines" as first you put clothes in to wash, then take them out and put in the spinner, next take them out and put in tub of rinse water, whosh them around and finally put them back into spinner. We hung them out on the lines and cross our fingers that they won't blow away and are mostly dry by a.m.... We also each took a hot shower marveling about how wonderful it felt.

Lesson Learned
I am learning that it is not possible to come into a place and make a change that is lasting unless the people really want that change to happen. Our efforts are all well intentioned but will fail over time unless the villagers take ownership of the plan and actually do it themselves with guidance and encouragement (money and /or materials). Its hard to do because doing "for" them is not good and guiding them to change takes so long that it feels like everything is in slow motion. Previous "help" was the introduction of pampers to the village. Now their latrine is plugged with pampers and a new problem has to be solved.

The Latrine
When we first arrived in Jui Duo Ma La, I (& all the other girls) could not force ourselves to go into the latrine. I have seen some pretty gross sites but this topped my list. The shovel was a much better option. At the village meeting, when asked what we could do to help--the latrine ranked right after the well. So once the well project came to a halt due to hitting rock, the latrine was next. So....our men joined the village men and dug in....literally. Can't imagine a shittier job! A hole was dug to put the pampers & liquids in. An overflow caused quite a raucous as the chickens where running through it--but was resolved by quickly covering it with dirt. Then the solids were put into another hole. If they'd leave the solids covered for about a year, they could then use it as fertilizer...but in their culture, one never uses human waste for anything...so more holes will be dug later. Next the guys covered the shit pit with corrugated mat'l so rain wouldn't get in & a pipe was put in so the liquids would drain out into a hole. Finally, using cement, they built a spot to use if you were only going #1. With pride, the villagers cleaned the latrine with bleach water and re-painted the signs on the outside indicating Male & Female--in both Chinese & English.

Outdoor latrine at school in southwest Yunnan Provincechinaschoolsfoundation.org:

Dinner & Lucky
(Warning: Karen & Terri should not read this!!)
It's true. They eat dog. I happened to look around just as a man was skinning one while a live dog circled him. Then he took it over & holding its tail, put it down in a hole where a fire had been built. Many kids gathered round the hole to watch. Several hours later, Yuan & Steve went to a villagers home to indulge. Roger declined. Steve later told us that the men were celebrating the completion of the latrine improvements. So we named that dog, Dinner & all the rest (around 15) Lucky...though we figured one should be called Next.

TP
Without a doubt, I have used much more TP on runny noses than in the on my behind!!! I actually carry a bag on my arm with a roll of TP so while I'm working or playing with kids, I can pass out TP & they can throw the used wad in the bag....I need a third hand just to deal with their runny noses!!!

Communication
No wonder the UN finds it so difficult to get anything done!! In this one little village, it's been a struggle to communicate. It goes like this: villager speaks in their dialect, Yuan tells our translator who then tell us. Then the reverse, English to translator, to Yuan to villagers--whose way of thinking and customs often twist or change what they hear. Several time there have been misunderstandings...and I can certainly understand why!!!

Superstitions
We've learned about so many superstitions held by some Chinese. Examples: Leaving your chopsticks in your dish means the food was not good enough for even the dead. After childbirth, a woman cannot enter another person's house until the baby is a month old.

The Girl with Sore Eyes
One of the little village girls has swollen & infected eyes. I asked her if they hurt & for how long. She said they have been hurting her for more than a year. I took her to Yuan to see what he could find out. He said her father tells everyone her eyes are like that because she cried so much as a baby. That made me want to cry!! Yuan took pictures & will try to get some meds to her.

Sewing Progress
Jenny now has 4 women excited about sewing! She has offered each a sewing machine in exchange for making 40 pants or 20 coats (or any combination) for other villagers. And they are now diligently working...some with babies strapped to their back...while their encouraging husbands do the cooking so they can sew longer!!! Success!!!

Student Teacher
Sophie (Chinese name: Li Yoo Xiang) is a great student teacher! She is in her second year at Yunnan Univ and hopes to be an elementary teacher. She's a natural. She gets rights down to the kids level, smiles & encourages them. Takes my direction and runs with it. Her enthusiasm overflows!

Learning Progress
With joy & pride in their faces, two little boys who learned to write the first characters of their names, went racing to show Yuan. They had practiced & practiced while several of the villagers looked over their shoulders and encouraged them. There was lots of joy & pride on Sophie & my face too! Another major thrill was when two older boys (who hadn't wanted to be part of our "class") moseyed over to check out what we were doing and ending up reading to some of the younger children. And the younger kids actually asked Yong to read aloud to them today!!!!

Peanuts for Counting
This is actually winter break for the kids...so I feel a bit quilty asking them to do school work...besides working in the fields...so I usually give them a treat...like peanuts for counting. I say a number...they say the next three numbers & get a peanut. We both get smiles.

Bio Sand Filter
A bio sand filter is up & running thanks to Steve. After carefully explaining how contaminated water that has run through the layers of rocks, gravel & sand can actually come out ready to drink, the villagers gladly helped him put on together. Hopefully they'll build more themselves!

Solar Light Kits
Rog has successfully taught Seurg to put the solar light kits together. He as completed 5 now & EVHS will pay him & take them to the village without electricity. Next time HANDA comes to his village, they'll bring more so he can continue to earn $$. Seurg will try to find other markets as well.

Debriefing Meeting
After the failed well drilling & latrine overflow, the debriefing meeting that we have each night was kind of a downer. But Renay was firm in saying that our team was working hard & success would follow. I smiled when she said Roger was like the salt of the earth. She is so right. The very next debriefing meeting, the latrine & bio sand filter were finished, the sewing was taking off, the kids were excited about learning and the villagers were thrilled about all of it. What a high!

Warmer Weather
Ahhh! The sun!! The last several days have been gorgeous! We are all stripping down to one layer again. Even the nights are warmer and the stars are so clear in the cloudless skies. Loving it!

Chinese Fire Drill
When we took off today for Ra Ma Lu, Rog needed to switch with Renay so he could talk to Steve...so Yuan stopped the truck. Renay & Rog jumped out, ran around the truck and hopped back in on the opposite sides. That's what we use to do when we were teenagers for fun & we called it a Chinese Fire Drill!!!

Better get to bed...who knows what tomorrow will bring. Know we love hearing from you and miss you!!!!