As we finished our work and began to head back to camp we started to hear thunder and the sky turned dark. There was a major storm that we hoped would pass quickly. It did not, high winds, water in tents and almost no sleep still couldn’t dampen the spirits of the team or the villagers who were determined to show their gratitude. What an ending to this portion of the trip! 

We transported all the supplies to teach the kids relay games, another first. Our interpreters, university ENG volunteers did an amazing job of leading. So much fun!

Thank you Faramarz for making this magic possible. Using bamboo poles and a plastic sheet Faramarz was able to create an amazing experience for the entire village. He brought power sources and technology. A first for sure. The movies included Lion King & Ice Age. Candy was handed out -minion gummies to be exact. No langusge barrier here, tons of wide eyes from both children and adults and lots of shared laughter. No words can adequately describe this scene. 

We made stickers for each donor and placed them on the Tanks so that local families could see the names of those that made water storage possinle for them. They wanted to hear the names, know about you, and sent their gratitude for helping their families. So heartwarming! 

85 tankies in 48 hours – the site of tanks being strapped on bavks and walked out of the center of the village into the mountains is a memory I will carry forever. The strength and resiliency of these people inspires me and makes me want to do better, be better. I am so blessed. 

This little boy just stole our hearts. He stayed around our camp constantly with unlimited energy, curiosity, and determination. These photos show the typical “toys for a child in a village. He would sing or whistle constantly while creating things to entertain himself. Two of our cardboard boxes and a piece of wire off the ground= a truck. A bamboo stick and a broken piece of plastic= a spear. Only play through imagination. He would just wander around on his own and never wavered in his tasks as water buffalo and goats wandered through the camp. So stinking cute!

While part of the team stayed to share crafts and activities with the children, a few of us accompanied a few villagers and a young engineer we hired to join us to assess the main water source for the village. It was about an hours hike across the most beautiful terraced mountainside. They grow maze and rice on the terraces. It’s like time stands still in this little piece of paradise. We actually saw an extremely large white snake. They say these are rare and good luck?!?!?! We also traveled the monkey path. We found the source and this village is extremely vulnerable. Clean drinking water is scarce for them. I am so honored to be part of this project. It is hard, I am learning every day, and we ARE making a difference.

These precious children do not have toys. Toys are a luxury. Thanks to a dear sweet friend of mine, each child in this village received either a doll & hair bows or  a soccer ball. Baby dolls were a first. We kept seeing the girls cuddling them, pretend playing, and singing to them. The boys loved the balls! Too precious to capture in words. Thank you for loving these kids Ralph A.