Another great day. We spent most of the day touring the province so we can see how the foundation is helping different people throughout the community. They have programs in schools as well as programs to help adults who are blind learn to live with their disability.
First we visited Fernanda in her school. She is a 17 year old girl who is blind and deaf in one ear. We saw her use her braile machine which was amazing to see how quickly she could type and then read back what she had written. During our visit to the school their was a futbol game going on in the middle of the school. All the schools are set up the same, kind of like a plaza with the classrooms surrounding the center play yard. There was a little boy with a microphone who was the commentator for all the games and he was amazing. He commented on every move, named every player, really brought the game to life. He was so quick and witty, if ESPN could hear him they would hire him on the spot. It is something I will always remember.
Next we drove up the road a ways to visit a man named Sandy who is completely blind. He has a bicycle repair shop. It was so interesing to see his home and work space and how well he is doing. He built a bike for 4 people, 2 bikes side by side added a seat on each, then connected with a wooden board that could hold a few more people. Their main form of transportation is bikes and donkeys. Bikes are way faster so that seems to be a little more popular.
We stopped in the little pueblo of Chirijos. We saw their church, plaza, and met some of the people who live in the houses that surround the plaza. One family invited us in, we rested on their hammock, ate some mango, and bought some papaya which is their business.
Next we visited a man whose name I can not remember but who had the most beautiful green eyed daughter named Antonella. He is blind in one eye and has bad vision in the other but runs a very successful limon farm. He has a yard full of limon trees. He also has a little store in the front of his house. He has done so well with his business that he was able to buy a washing machine for his wife which is a very big deal in this area. Most people do their wash by hand. Before we left he cut some cocos from a tree and opened them with a machete. Miriam, from the foundation, was very nervous as the mostly blind man chopped the tops off the cocos so we could drink coco water.
Last we visited little Jesus who was born without eyes. He was such a sweet boy and so excited to have visitors. His mothers name was Jenny and she had 3 other children about the same age as our family. She was a very happy mom and there was such a sweet feeling in their home.
After all of our visits we went to eat at La Granda which was a restaurant in someones backyard. They were a very well to do family for the area. They had hammocks hanging, Christmas decorations up, and delicious food. For lunch we had baked platanos con salprieta, which is crushed peanuts and corn meal. There is a saying here that once you have eaten salprieta you will have to return. I guess we will see. We also had a delicious bean soup and then a plate of rice, chicken, and vegetables. When we finished our meal we went to visit their animals outback. They have 2 mama pigs that are due any day. I told them to call us if the little piggies are born this week because I would love to see them. They were the biggest pigs I have ever seen.
Later, after we had a siesta in our hotel, we went to Magdalenas house where I taught Sister Yost, Magdalena, and Yolanda yoga. We laughed and had a great time.
I am really loving my time. here. It is amazing to see these people who according to our standards have so little but are truly happy. They love sitting around with their families, eating together, having visitors. They really seem to live in the present. They seem to go about their day taking care of the things that need to be done, wash some clothes, fix a meal, sell a few papayas. They always have time for others. As we have visited it is apparent that they have all that they need and live beautiful simple lives and they are happy. It is wonderful to feel of their happiness.
