Esteli, Nicarauga and Stove building!

Esteli, Nicaragua is situated north of Managua and is larger than the previous two base towns we have been situated in. Esteli seems to be a major thoroughfare between Honduras, Managua, and Costa Rica. In fact we cross the Pan American Highway everyday .The actual town does not have the character that Antigua and Copan posses but the community we are building stoves in, Thompson, is a stark reminder of the poverty that can exist in Central America. Thompson is basically a shanty town and the homes consist of scrap wood, corrugated metal roofs, plastic and any other item one can find to help close out weather elements. Other volunteers and GVI staff have started a small school here and the kids are just as cute and bright faced as any of the kids we have seen in the past. Right now, the school consists of two walls with the other three sides left exposed to the elements. But, it seems that the volunteers and staff are doing a wonderful job and it’s very exciting that the community is embracing the new school. Yesterday, we split into teams to build the first two stoves. Rufus, Susan, and Maya formed one team and Aviv, Don Juan, Domingo and me made up the second team. Don Juan and Domingo are locals and the stove we are building will be used by Domingo and his family. I guess he is around 15 or 16 and Don Juan is in his forties or fifties. Immediately, Aviv and I noticed the kind face of Don Juan and he and Domingo have been a thrill to work with. They are very lighthearted and patient. I had trouble understanding them the first day as the Nicaraguan accent is very different, especially given our rural location. But, today was easier and I joked a little with Domingo and understood Don Juan’s directions for the most part. It was fun to listen to the radio and hear Domingo sing and hear Don Juan’s laughter. Aviv did a great job today and we have nearly constructed our first stove. The stoves are made of cinder block, cement, ribarb, soil, tiles, etc. The stoves are much more energy efficient thereby allowing the family to use less wood; less work for the family and obviously better for the outlying environment. Also, the stoves are equipped with chimneys and this will allow for zero smoke inhalation by the family as well as a safer cooking area for the mother. She will not be faced with the prospect of burning herself anymore and there will be no risk of an open fire spreading throughout the house. Overall, just a wonderful project that GVI has started and each of us donated a stove through the money we paid to join this program (we each bought the materials for one stove). Domingo and his family are very happy with the stove thus far and his mother offers us coke, coffee, popcorn she makes, or crackers each day. The weather is very, very warm and it will be a huge change to go to Ecuador this weekend. All of us wish we could stay longer as we feel a connection to this desolate and poverty stricken pueblo with wonderful inhabitants who are all happy and supportive of our presence here. Rufus, our project leader with the stoves, has built hundreds of them and is a real pro. Fortunately for us, Rufus will be travelling with us to Ecuador as well! Here are some pictures of the stove and the community!