The HEALTH FAIR

 At each of our three locations (Pocohil, Chicua, and Xepocol), our women's team presented a HEALTH FAIR consisting of eight stations for the women:

(1) THE SOLAR OVEN STATION: Jean Marconett prepared two pots of food, one with veggies and one with beans and placed them in the solar oven. When the food was done, each woman received a plate of food along with some training on how to easily make their own solar oven. The Mayan women were amazed that they could cook something so d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s without stirring it or paying any attention to it.

(2) SAFE WATER STATION:
Jean Marconett also showed the women how to easily purify their water. Our team brought three 1 liter bottles of water and some WapIs- Water Pasteurization Indicators. The bottles were H2O filled and included a glass tube with some soybean wax inside. These bottles were sprayed black on the outside and were lying on a shiny back surface (they could be placed on the roof too) at this station. They are to be set in full sun, and as soon as the wax melts, the water has been hot enough (149 degrees F – 65 Degrees C) to kill all bacteria and is safe to drink. This show-and-tell performance was extremely important because Sandy Guyse, who has become our team's water expert, has found that the stream and the wells are contaminated with e-coli.

(3) THE MICROSCOPE AND WATER STATION:
Sandy Guyse was in charge of showing the women the microscopic difference between pure and unpure water, further reinforcing the fact that just because the water looks okay doesn't mean it really is.

(4) BLOOD PRESSURE STATION: Carol Haug and Janet Komadina were in charge of the blood pressure table. The Mayan women could get their blood pressure checked, along with a brief explanation of the numbers and what they might do if their blood pressure was too high or too low. Mostly, the blood pressure readings were quite good (it's all those hills!). If anything, a few were a tad low according to our blood pressure experts,

(5) EYE TESTING STATION:
Lynn Guenette was in charge of the eye glass table. Anyone could come and check out reading glasses to see if they could see better. Our team brought along over 200 pairs of reading glasses abd over 120 pairs were distributed. Those who could afford to pay a small sum for the glasses did so, but if not, no one was turned away. The community members could also get sunglasses for a small cost.
(6) TOOTHBRUSHING STATION: Suzanne
Greenleaf was in charge of giving demonstrations on correct tooth brushing techniques and flossing techniques. After the demonstration, mothers (and children) were each given a toothbrush and dental floss.

(7) FAMILY PHOTO STATION: Susan Waughtal took pictures of families and individuals, and for 1 quetzal, the families could get an actual photo with the photo printer that Susan brought with her. Susan was VERY popular with the families.

(8) CERTIFICATE STATION: Lastly, the women stopped by the spot where Julie Rodakowski stood ready to present them with their completion certificate, congratulations from the team, a hug, and with a small bag of goodies (hotel bottles of shampoo and conditioner, soap, and other tidbits).

(text by Julie Rodakowski / pictures by Susan Waughtal)

Torn de Alfarero (potter’s wheel) Xepocol, Guatemala

Xepocol, a small village in the central highlands of Guatemala, has never made pottery and never seen a potter’s wheel. The village has an active Methodist church, a busy local school, and many small shops along the unpaved road that is the lifeline of the village. When Carlo Gonzales asked the local minister, Sebastian Quino, if he was interested in his village learning about pottery, he said yes.



Our group arrived around 10:30 am on Friday morning. I brought a kit for making a kick wheel, all the metal parts, wood for the frame and cement for the flywheel. The pastor was on an unexpected pastoral visit, but Miguel a local weaver, met us at the church. He offered us refreshments, and we then we talked for the next hour about the wheel, where it would go and what we needed. I used my best Spanish and then Raul, our guide and translator, translated my Spanish to “real” Spanish. It was interesting to discuss something seemingly so simple for so long, but this is totally new technology for the village. In true Guatemalan fashion, we started constructing the wheel after a break for lunch. We had sandwiches delivered,but the church supplied soup and the most delicious tamales I’ve ever had.

Thursday was the last day in the village and was the day to fire the newly made pots. The village had no kiln and no ready fuel source. Pit firing is the most primitive and easiest method, but the ground is very rocky, so we choose to barrel fire. The pots went in the fire as greenware, so we preheated them first over an open fire on a piece of corrugated roofing. After warming them for about 2 hours, we loaded them in the barrel with pine needles and corn leafs and stalks. Finally, the fire on top was built. There were numerous explosions, but yes there were survivors as well. We had to leave before the barrel cooled, but I did sneak a peek and verify that there were survivors, and they are jet black. I am happy as I can be with the results.

It has been a true adventure. The people were delightful, the children beautiful, the mountains breath-taking. I would not have missed this trip for anything. I plan on returning in July to help build a kiln in Xepocol.

(Written by potter Kevin H Komadina; pictures by Susan Waughtal)

Stove Delivery

Our entire team traveled together for the first time yesterday to Xepocal. In addition to holding a women's health training, wanted to see the three new latrines the men built, Kevin's pottery wheel, and, most of all, be there for the delivery of 10 ONIL plancha stoves. When we arrived the stoves were stacked neatly in the Methodist Church's Sunday school building.

Some nearby families came to pick up their stoves, and the rest were loaded onto a pickup for delivery. We sent two teams to accompany the stoves, congratulate the families, and see for ourselves the old stoves-which were actually 3 stone fires. The kitchens are mostly small adobe buildings with a dirt floor, a fire, a small table for preparation of food, and utensils hung on the wall. Walls and ceilings of all the kitchens were totally black with soot from the cook smoke. Some were so smoky we coughed when we entered even though no fire was burning.

The families were extremely grateful for the stoves, which require 7o% less wood, saving them time and money gathering fuel. Most importantly, the new stoves burn much cleaner, reducing the risk of respiratory illnesses, a leading cause of illness in the Mayan children. The new stoves are also much safer and will reduce the risk of burns.

We have now delivered all 50 stoves! The stoves were made possible by donations from many of our team members, generous community members, and friends across the country. We have a waiting list of 25 families who need stoves, and more requests coming in as others learn about them. Each stove costs $117. If you are interested in purchasing a stove for a family, stay tuned for details in a future post.

Post and photos by Susan

STOVES ARE INSTALLED in Mayan kitchens!

(Team member Sheila Kiscaden interviewing one of the stove recipients)

Through contributions from many Rochester and other areas of the country, our team was able to purchase 50 stoves.

Why stoves? -- YOU MIGHT WONDER.
All of the cooking is done by the women on wood fires within the small, largely adobe, homes.

Significant health issues ensue, including

(1) SMOKE INHALATION which has become the leading cause of death in Guatemalan children under the age of 5 according to the World Health Organization. On average, the deadly carbon monoxide level in homes is twice the level considered to be dangerous.  

(2) FACIAL AND HAND BURNS TO CHILDREN who fall into open when they are playing or learning to walk

(3) DEFORESTATION which occurs at a rate of 2% per year because of the huge amount of wood required for daily cooking. Additionally, the wood has become very scarce and expensive.

(4) EXCESSIVE TIME DEMANDS ON WOMEN AND CHILDREN who must often walk long distances daily to acquire the wood necessary just to feed their family.  

(5) BACK PROBLEMS which occur because the heavy loads of wood, once found, must be hauled back home on the backs of the women and children.  

YOU MIGHT WONDER -- What kind of stoves were sent to Guatemala?
Onil stoves were purchased by Suzanne and Jim Greenleaf who collected the stove donations. Onil parts were sent previous to our arrival. These stoves provide enough heat to cook a meal with only three sticks of wood. Each stove has a chimney that vents the stove's smoke outdoors, meaning a family's home is no longer filled with deadly cooking smoke. An additional attribute of the stove is that it also can be moved around in the kitchen if necessary. To do so, the families must move the concrete block base and the venting.

Mayan families from the highlands (three communities: Pocohil, Chicua, and Xepocol) were chosen based on greatest needs in the communities.
Once the families were chosen, they did have to purchase the concrete block and the venting, with the idea that they should participate in the stove project rather than just having it given to them. The women also had to take a nutrition class.

Once our team arrived, we were able to see many of the installed stoves, and we were also able to talk with the women about them.

YOU MIGHT WONDER -- What do the women have to say about their stoves? 
Here are SOME quotes from the Mayan women:

I can cook food in a third of the time. 
 It's so great that it uses so little wood. 
 I love my stove.  
I use my stove from morning to night.
I like the fact that I can move it if I need to.  
There's no more smoke in the house. I am happy.

(text & pictures by Julie)

Day 1: Pocohil

Our first day in Guatemala we dived right in. After breakfast we sorted all our project gear and had a meeting to get to know each other and talk about our goals and plans. Then we headed to our work sites, the men to Xecopol, where they would be constructing some latrines and building a pottery wheel, and the women to Pocohil to lead a women's health training and interview several recipients of the stoves.

When we arrived in Pocohil, the women of the village were already gathered in the covered porch of a home. We felt like honored guests, as they had spread the dirt floor with a carpet of soft, fragrant pine needles and welcomed us with a huge bouquet of flowers from their gardens.

Along with the women's training sessions (more in a future post) some teams interviewed women who had recently received the stoves. All in all in was a fabulous day!

The Itinerary

Here's our Work Itinerary (subject to change)
Friday 12: working in the village of Xepocol (About 30 minutes from Chichi)

MORNING:
Women's training
AFTERNOON:
Survey
Deliver 10 stoves in Xepocol
CONSTRUCTION TEAM:
building latrine(s) (working all day or half a day)
Teach pottery for Pastor Sebastian Quino

Saturday 13: working in the village of Xepocol (second day at the village)

MORNING:
Women's training
AFTERNOON:
Health Fair. If necessary continue with survey
CONSTRUCTION TEAM:
building latrines (working all day or half a day)
Continue to teach pottery for Pastor Sebastian Quino

Sunday 14: Chichicastenango

Free day / market
Optional at 5:00 p.m. cultural lecture with specialist on Guatemalan Culture addressing the history and explanation on typical dress of Guatemalans

Monday 15: working in the village of Pocohil (only one day)

MORNING:
Talk about family planning for women
AFTERNOON:
Health fair
EVENING:
Talk about family planning for men
CONSTRUCTION TEAM:
Continue building latrines in XEPOCOL

Tuesday 16: working in the village of Chicua number 3 (about 45 minutes
from Chichi)

MORNING:
Women's trainning and survery in the community.
AFTERNOON:
Weaving class for the team
CONSTRUCTION TEAM:
Build latrine(s) in Chicua

Wed 17: continue working in the village of Chicua number 3

*MORNING: *
Continue women's trainning and survery in the community.
AFTERNOON:
Continue weaving class for the team
CONSTRUCTION TEAM:
Continue building latrine(s) (working all day or half a day)

Thurs 18: Continue working in the village of Chicua number 3

MORNING:
Survey the community all morning.
AFTERNOON:
Continue weaving class for the team
CONSTRUCTION TEAM:
Continue building latrine(s) (working all day or half a day)