Monday, July 30, 2012

Ankarana National Park

Despite the fact that I have lived only 15km from the border of Ankarana National Park, I had not taken the time to visit until this month.  With several friends I was able to visit the difficult to access West entrance.  The entrance is known for its impressive caves.  Here are a few photos from my trip.


Sunday, July 29, 2012

Malaria Murals

Several fellow volunteers helped me complete a health project in my community.  Painting  images on local buildings we hope the pictures will help spread information about how to prevent and properly treat malaria. 

A local woman, who has become my Peace Corps mom, asked us all to wear traditional clothes for the picture.  She is the very short woman standing in the center. 

School Construction Begins

Thanks to the generosity of an amazing British couple, my community has finally received the funds it needs to complete construction of its elementary school.  The following photos detail the community's efforts in collecting the raw materials, sand and rock, needed for completion.  
Getting sand meant driving to a dried riverbed and filling the trailer with spades and old rice sacks.  Despite the fact that the wheels fell of the program early in the day (literally, the wheel fell off our trailer) the work was salvaged and we were able to get the needed sand.

Taking advantage of the abundance of local rock my villagers also gathered the stone needed to complete the floors.

All the labor made us very hungry.  Local women prepared the noon meal for us. 

To encourage participation in community events it is customary to provide local alcohol.  These three are at the end of a long day of labor and their last bottle of local brew.