Hey there!!!
Well the storms have now finished and the last few days have been really hot :)
On Saturday (I think) Carol left, so the night before we had a massive BBQ and some of the girls showed us some traditional Paraguayan dancing. Then they wanted us to show them some dancing! I dont do dancing! So we introduced the conga instead!
On Sunday we finally got to go to the church, as it was the first Sunday that it has not rained! We were the only people there, and I did not understand a word of it...
A few jobs have been going on. This morning we have been painting and tiling the kitchen at the girls house. The chicken/pig enclosure has been improved and we have started to think about the playground. Also AJ has been teaching the girls some dance. Also, as some point this week, two women came to the house and gave all the younger girls their vaccinations.
I spent Monday in bed thanks to a stomach bug thing, but was back at work yesterday. I think its down to one too many burgers at the lomiteria...
I am no longer being bullied by a two year old after I saved her life...well not exactly but I took her back to her mum and we kinda bonded. Yesterday she came running up to me and gave me a hug, before then she used to run up to me and kick or pinch me.
The last few nights have been so clear that we can see so many stars and even the Milky Way really clearly!
This Saturday the final two of the group will join us. It seems so strange that we are halfway through week 3 already, it feels like I have been here forever and not at all at the same time. I think a little bit of me cant wait to get home, but I also feel like I could quite happily stay here, as long as I dont have to keep living out of a suitcase.
Anyways, I have to go tackle round 2 of painting, ding ding! xxx
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
"I want to see miracles, to see the world change..."
Hola! Don't really have much to update, so this it really to let you all know that Im still alive!
The last few days there have only been 3 of us here, and there hasn't been much work to do, just finishing off the previous jobs. As well as putting on a few English lessons for the village kids in the Comedor as they are on holiday at the moment.
Over the past few days we have had 2 massive thunderstorms (one is still going on now). The thunder shakes the house and the lightening is the brightest Ive ever seen. We woke up to a leaking roof this morning in our room above the spare bed, which has now been replaced with a bucket - apparently the roof tiles are really old! When a thunderstorm happens here the electricity tends to go off, and you have to unplug everything as things tend to blow up when it comes back on, so I am doing this update as quick as possible just in case...
Because of the weather, we haven't seen much of the girls, as they have stayed in their house down the road.
The Piglets arrived yesterday, and the 'adults' also got back from their adventures in Iguassu/Conception/Asuncion.
This place never fails to amaze me - Marie-Louisa managed to prepare and cook a massive meal for 8 on the side of a kitchen sink and a 4 ring oven!
A big thank you to everyone who donated make up and nail varnish. It has been very popular! Although the girls do tend to put it on, take it off straight away and then immediately put it back on again.
Anyway, I think Im gonna go before I blow up! I think after siesta we are venturing down to the girls house to do some aerobics and (crazy) dancing....xxxx
The last few days there have only been 3 of us here, and there hasn't been much work to do, just finishing off the previous jobs. As well as putting on a few English lessons for the village kids in the Comedor as they are on holiday at the moment.
Over the past few days we have had 2 massive thunderstorms (one is still going on now). The thunder shakes the house and the lightening is the brightest Ive ever seen. We woke up to a leaking roof this morning in our room above the spare bed, which has now been replaced with a bucket - apparently the roof tiles are really old! When a thunderstorm happens here the electricity tends to go off, and you have to unplug everything as things tend to blow up when it comes back on, so I am doing this update as quick as possible just in case...
Because of the weather, we haven't seen much of the girls, as they have stayed in their house down the road.
The Piglets arrived yesterday, and the 'adults' also got back from their adventures in Iguassu/Conception/Asuncion.
This place never fails to amaze me - Marie-Louisa managed to prepare and cook a massive meal for 8 on the side of a kitchen sink and a 4 ring oven!
A big thank you to everyone who donated make up and nail varnish. It has been very popular! Although the girls do tend to put it on, take it off straight away and then immediately put it back on again.
Anyway, I think Im gonna go before I blow up! I think after siesta we are venturing down to the girls house to do some aerobics and (crazy) dancing....xxxx
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
Chainsaw, Piglets and Florida!
The work this week has been a bit slow going and we are really just continuing what we have already started.
On Sunday church was cancelled because it had rained in the night. In Paraguay if it rains then public transport doesnt run, and if it is a school day then school is closed. This meant that we had a mini service on the porch with Ossy and the girls. It was really nice though and they all love to sing in Spanish, Guarani and English.
Yesterday morning though, Anne, AJ, Carol and I went into the forest with Ossy to chop a tree down for firewood. We all got to use the chainsaw, no safety equipment here, and we all survived! It then meant trecking forwards and backwards through the humid forest with the tree, and my arms ache today!.In the evening, we didnt really go to Florida for food, we went to a place about an hour away along the river called Villa Florida (said villa flo reeda), and on the way we stopped for ice cream, where we got about 5 or 6 scoops for about 80p!
Today I went with Phil and Marie'Louise to pick out two piglets for El Puente! There were 9 to choose from but ours come on Saturday!
On a Wednesday evening, a Canadian guy travels three or four hours from his childrens home to have a bible study with the girls here. And tonight I realised that 19 girls can sing louder than a church of 2 or 300 people, and their actions and dancing is so funny! I also realised how much it means to the gilrs just to know that we care enough to pray for them, and it means even more that we go out and visit them. They were saying goodbye to Anne and were crying, and that is after just a week and a half! They nearly set the rest of us off, so I hate to think what I will be like at the end of 2 months. They love having visitors! we all then trecked down to the lomiteria for a burger!
Tomorrow Anne and Carol leave for Iguassu in Brazil for a few days, and Anne flies home on Sunday, but Carol will come back here for a few days before she heads home!
See you soon love Helen xxx
On Sunday church was cancelled because it had rained in the night. In Paraguay if it rains then public transport doesnt run, and if it is a school day then school is closed. This meant that we had a mini service on the porch with Ossy and the girls. It was really nice though and they all love to sing in Spanish, Guarani and English.
Yesterday morning though, Anne, AJ, Carol and I went into the forest with Ossy to chop a tree down for firewood. We all got to use the chainsaw, no safety equipment here, and we all survived! It then meant trecking forwards and backwards through the humid forest with the tree, and my arms ache today!.In the evening, we didnt really go to Florida for food, we went to a place about an hour away along the river called Villa Florida (said villa flo reeda), and on the way we stopped for ice cream, where we got about 5 or 6 scoops for about 80p!
Today I went with Phil and Marie'Louise to pick out two piglets for El Puente! There were 9 to choose from but ours come on Saturday!
On a Wednesday evening, a Canadian guy travels three or four hours from his childrens home to have a bible study with the girls here. And tonight I realised that 19 girls can sing louder than a church of 2 or 300 people, and their actions and dancing is so funny! I also realised how much it means to the gilrs just to know that we care enough to pray for them, and it means even more that we go out and visit them. They were saying goodbye to Anne and were crying, and that is after just a week and a half! They nearly set the rest of us off, so I hate to think what I will be like at the end of 2 months. They love having visitors! we all then trecked down to the lomiteria for a burger!
Tomorrow Anne and Carol leave for Iguassu in Brazil for a few days, and Anne flies home on Sunday, but Carol will come back here for a few days before she heads home!
See you soon love Helen xxx
Saturday, 9 July 2011
20 Children...1 Van...No Problemo
HELLLLLOO! Im still alive :)
Its been a really good first week, and today it has been really hot, even though the locals arent really feeling and are laughing at us for wearing shorts in the winter...
We have demolished the kitchen at the girls house, and Alfredo, the local builder has started rebuilding it, while Ann and I have repainted the shelves, with the worst paint ever, which is more like plastic. Phil has been fixing up the area where they chickens live and Carol, Phillip and AJ have been working on the kitchen garden.
The weather is getting warmer and the colds are starting to clear up, except for Ossy who has a bad chest but is still working so hard.
On Thursday, the children broke up for their two week winter holiday and we got invited to a fundraising thing at QQH High School (in Paraguay the government only pay teachers wages, and schools have to pay for everything including electricity and water), which included a mini sports day, dancing and drama. We took all the girls with us, while a couple of the older ones performed. Also, the girls got their reports today and 'our girls' have come out as the best in the school.
We have weekends off, and this morning a few of us went for a walk down to the lagoon and around QQH, which was nice, and we were joined for most of it by two little local boys who pointed out all the lemon, orange and grapefruit trees.
This afternoon we went to the next village for some kind of school prize giving, and the girls put on a dance and evangelised through puppets, even the adults were getting involved. It was really good to see the work they are doing at such a young age, and it is all because they are now living with Ossy and Marie-Louise and safe and happy. The older girls are going to school and are talking to their friends and sharing the bible, they are not imposing and its not planned, it is simply their peers around them seeing that they are different and wanting to know why. You come here and hear their stories and and all you want to do is bring them back to Englang, but its not the right thing to do, they need to be here where they are changing where they live. If you took them out then the area would never get any better.
If there is one memory that I will take away from this place it will be the happiness and joy, and the laughter and skipping.
I have to go now, it is only 8pm but Im half asleep already xxx
Its been a really good first week, and today it has been really hot, even though the locals arent really feeling and are laughing at us for wearing shorts in the winter...
We have demolished the kitchen at the girls house, and Alfredo, the local builder has started rebuilding it, while Ann and I have repainted the shelves, with the worst paint ever, which is more like plastic. Phil has been fixing up the area where they chickens live and Carol, Phillip and AJ have been working on the kitchen garden.
The weather is getting warmer and the colds are starting to clear up, except for Ossy who has a bad chest but is still working so hard.
On Thursday, the children broke up for their two week winter holiday and we got invited to a fundraising thing at QQH High School (in Paraguay the government only pay teachers wages, and schools have to pay for everything including electricity and water), which included a mini sports day, dancing and drama. We took all the girls with us, while a couple of the older ones performed. Also, the girls got their reports today and 'our girls' have come out as the best in the school.
We have weekends off, and this morning a few of us went for a walk down to the lagoon and around QQH, which was nice, and we were joined for most of it by two little local boys who pointed out all the lemon, orange and grapefruit trees.
This afternoon we went to the next village for some kind of school prize giving, and the girls put on a dance and evangelised through puppets, even the adults were getting involved. It was really good to see the work they are doing at such a young age, and it is all because they are now living with Ossy and Marie-Louise and safe and happy. The older girls are going to school and are talking to their friends and sharing the bible, they are not imposing and its not planned, it is simply their peers around them seeing that they are different and wanting to know why. You come here and hear their stories and and all you want to do is bring them back to Englang, but its not the right thing to do, they need to be here where they are changing where they live. If you took them out then the area would never get any better.
If there is one memory that I will take away from this place it will be the happiness and joy, and the laughter and skipping.
I have to go now, it is only 8pm but Im half asleep already xxx
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Isn't it annoying when your pet cows go in different directions down the main street...
HOLA!
Its finally warmed up today, the last few days have been a bit chilly thanks to an Argentinian wind, and it is freezing at night!
We got to QQH on Saturday and arrived to hundreds of hugs! In the evening we were able to go to a 15th birthday celebrations (15 is the only birthday they really celebrate here), and it was amazing, it rivals a wedding! Changes of dress, an amazing cake and sweets and food! She saved up 5 months of her wages to pay for half of it! I dont know any 14 year olds in the UK that have done that.
Sunday we got to know the girls a bit more, and in the evening went for a bit of a church service at the girls house lead by Ossy, which was really nice even if I didnt understand most of it, but most of the songs they sang, were in Spanish and then English.
Yesterday we started off the kitchen.
This morning we finished demolishing the kitchen at the girl's house, ready for it to be rebuilt. Before we headed off to do that we went through most of the cases, and handed out some shoes to some of the children that needed new ones. Some of the girls were also sorted out with new and better fiitting school uniform. I dont think I have ever seen a child get so excited over a pair of second hand trainers. One of the worker's little boys was given a toy car, and the look on his face was priceless, he was so pleased, but minutes later his little brother came over and he gave it to him. Its just gone lunch time here and I got to see the children from the village be fed at the commedor.
Anyway, we have to go off and do more work for now so chow for now!
Love Helen xxx
Its finally warmed up today, the last few days have been a bit chilly thanks to an Argentinian wind, and it is freezing at night!
We got to QQH on Saturday and arrived to hundreds of hugs! In the evening we were able to go to a 15th birthday celebrations (15 is the only birthday they really celebrate here), and it was amazing, it rivals a wedding! Changes of dress, an amazing cake and sweets and food! She saved up 5 months of her wages to pay for half of it! I dont know any 14 year olds in the UK that have done that.
Sunday we got to know the girls a bit more, and in the evening went for a bit of a church service at the girls house lead by Ossy, which was really nice even if I didnt understand most of it, but most of the songs they sang, were in Spanish and then English.
Yesterday we started off the kitchen.
This morning we finished demolishing the kitchen at the girl's house, ready for it to be rebuilt. Before we headed off to do that we went through most of the cases, and handed out some shoes to some of the children that needed new ones. Some of the girls were also sorted out with new and better fiitting school uniform. I dont think I have ever seen a child get so excited over a pair of second hand trainers. One of the worker's little boys was given a toy car, and the look on his face was priceless, he was so pleased, but minutes later his little brother came over and he gave it to him. Its just gone lunch time here and I got to see the children from the village be fed at the commedor.
Anyway, we have to go off and do more work for now so chow for now!
Love Helen xxx
Friday, 1 July 2011
There's No Room to do an Awkward Platypus on a Plane
Ok, so bear with me, as this is all in Spanish!
So I am now at my hotel for the night in Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay! I have survived the flights, and been fed a lot of plane food! We got to the hotel about 12.30pm local time (we are 5 hours behind England) and Ossy met us at the airport, where we piled 12 suitcases in a trailer and the 6 of us in the car. The car journey was kinda fun, mad roads, really old busses everywhere and the odd horse and cart!
Everything went smoothly and everyone is well.
We had showers and naps, and went out for 'lunch' at 4, and we have just got back! I think I just had the best burger ever! Its dark now (about 5-6ish?) as its winter, and it is a little nippy! We're off out to an all you can eat meat buffet thing in a couple of hours with Ossy, to get to know him a little before we embark on the 4-5hour car journey to QQH with him tomorrow!
It is finally starting to feel real! and after many years of wanting to come here it is starting to sink in that I am actually in Paraguay! I am so excited for the next 2 months! I think we are all going to sleep well tonight, somewhere where we can lie down that isn't an airport floor or doesn't involve turbulance!
Finally I have discovered that there are many 'awkward moments when...' on a Brazillian plane journey, but there is just no room to do the awkward platypus!
See you all in 2 months! Have a good one
Love Helen xxx
So I am now at my hotel for the night in Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay! I have survived the flights, and been fed a lot of plane food! We got to the hotel about 12.30pm local time (we are 5 hours behind England) and Ossy met us at the airport, where we piled 12 suitcases in a trailer and the 6 of us in the car. The car journey was kinda fun, mad roads, really old busses everywhere and the odd horse and cart!
Everything went smoothly and everyone is well.
We had showers and naps, and went out for 'lunch' at 4, and we have just got back! I think I just had the best burger ever! Its dark now (about 5-6ish?) as its winter, and it is a little nippy! We're off out to an all you can eat meat buffet thing in a couple of hours with Ossy, to get to know him a little before we embark on the 4-5hour car journey to QQH with him tomorrow!
It is finally starting to feel real! and after many years of wanting to come here it is starting to sink in that I am actually in Paraguay! I am so excited for the next 2 months! I think we are all going to sleep well tonight, somewhere where we can lie down that isn't an airport floor or doesn't involve turbulance!
Finally I have discovered that there are many 'awkward moments when...' on a Brazillian plane journey, but there is just no room to do the awkward platypus!
See you all in 2 months! Have a good one
Love Helen xxx
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