Much of today was spent in orientation. We travelled around the local area in two minibuses. There are 18 of us altogether. Lawrence from USA is our leader and Shaun, co-leader. Most of us are from St. Nic's, Fran, Nick, Nigel, Paul, Chris, Hannah, Kate, Sally, Lizzie, Gemma, Ruth and myself. Tom and Richard are from Southwell and Jonnie and Rachel from Northampton.
We visited 5 villages. The first, Los Algodonas was the village we were hoping to be working in. This was the poorest village that we went to. There is no water, they have to carry it in from quite a long way. The houses are made from flattened oil tins, and all falling apart. Its a Haitian slum village, and its for political reasons thta we will not be working here. The government has not given permission for houses to be built (big prayer needs), however they have given permission for a school to be built which mission direct are supporting.
When we arrived the children all crowded around us, and very quickly all hands were taken and small children in arms. They are so smiley. They all wanted "photo, photo" and then thrilled to see there picture on the back of the camera.
Here we met Elio, Canadian gentleman who the Lord moved to build 18 years ago. He took us on a tour of the village. Its set at the top of a long bumpy, dusty dirt road, on a hill, fantastic views. Many of the children are eating sugar cane which totally rots their teeth. They have a football pitch with two goal posts.
It is in absolute povery yet the people are so friendly and seem to be such a community.
Next we went to Ascension village which is the last village to be completed. 160ish homes I think. This is where the mission house is run by Crossroads. Again we were swamped by children. We went on a tour again, many of the houses have little plots for a few vegetables and plants. There is also a fairtrade co-op where they sell the things that they make. There are some artisan shops also. A large church. This village is Haitian. There was a dental clinic going on, on the veranda of the mission house.
To get to this village you have to go through a river, which has been made shallower. When the village was being built you didn't usse to be able to go through. I don't know why they didn't build a bridge.
Our next stop was Maranatha village, this was the first village built by Elio, 18 years ago. It is now well established with some of the houses 3 stories high. It has lots of shops, electricity and is a thriving community. There is a basketball court, a medical clinic which used to be a slaughter house!
Baseball is the national sport in DR I don't know if Maranatha has a pitch.
Next to Nazareth, which is the 7th village. This is the village which is going to be our worksite for the next 3 weeks. At the moment there are only 43 houses with 220 planned all together. This will then be the largest built. There are not many children here as yet but the ones that are quickly find us. There is water to taps on the streets, powered by a generator. A resevoir is planned. Another group from USA are funding a school for the village which is expected to be ready for September. The children will go to school in two shifts, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. This is the norm here. This village is Dominican Republican. At the bottom of the hill is Redemption Village which is connected by 120 steps, and is Haitian.
There is also a cute puppy called Rosita. She was into chewing shoelaces, the children were a little cruel to her but Andy made up for it.
After lunch ath the hotel we had a little more oral orientation then free time for a swim. The hotel food is excellent, all you can eat buffet, breakfast lunch and evening meal. Rather different from the villages where the people are starving.
The sea is gorgeous and we can banana boat ride and tube, at a cost, but kayaking is free for an hour. Scuba diving is also available. Free dinks anytime.
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