Success in Yorito

                                                                                                                            By Janet Espinosa

Five of us just got back from a fantastic trip to Yorito.  They were all newbies to Honduras, ages 18-78 (not me), we functioned well as a team and love the people as we do.  Several of our activities will be of interest to you:

1. We cut the red ribbon to initiate the 54 new sand water filters in Santa Cruz, filters which had already gone to homes (many carried long distances on their shoulders/backs).  The two molds AHMEN purchased are just right for community projects and the filters and implements are being used and well cared for.  The mayor is promising sand and cement to some communities who want filters.  She will have to coordinate with Fanny.

2. The incubator for water testing was used under the supervision of Jovel (who got a little macho), an expert from Yoro, and part of our team.  They tested water from Fanny's 6 year old filter, from bottled water, and an intentionally contaminated sample.  We cheered the next day when Fanny's came out pure, especially when the others did not.  Now people will be trained in sampling so that all filters in place can be tested.

3. We took five blood pressure kits (stethoscope & arm bands/cuffs) per their request by those who didn't want the digital ones.  We also took two more wrist blood pressure cuffs.  Now there are more than a dozen kits in use there that can be made available when you go in July.

4. Our big water tank and distribution project in Himeritos is ahead of schedule and looking great.  The mayor, who paid for transportation of bricks, cement, pvc, and other materials we bought, took us up there in her pickup and spent all morning with us and the people there.  To the people there we gave adult vitamins when I visited in February and just now gave them another supply.  Since we don't take down the volume of medicine and vitamins that AHMEN can, we modified instructions so that they are taking one vitamin each Monday.  Thus they should have enough until you have your clinic there.  You are scheduled for Capiro which is the nearest community to them.  

5. When I didn't get a response from Cesar Mariscos, I tried Airbnb for a couple of nights in Tela before our return.  We stayed in an absolutely fantastic house with five queen beds in three bedrooms, full kitchen and living area in addition to our own swimming pool.  It is in San Juan, a short taxi ride from Tela and near Tornibe, another Garifuna community.  The area is called Plantation Shores with hotel rooms and restaurant on site.  The actual house is in a gated area and 5 minutes walk from the beach. The house name is Casa Lila, with owner in the USA, and cost less than the hotel rooms.  Free Wi-Fi too.