Morning Melancholy

Here is a video from my front porch overlooking Baitoa in the morning. So peaceful.

 The mornings that come too soon I despise the noises that wake me up (especially the rooster that thinks he's my perpetual alarm clock and cockadoodledoos from 4am-8am right outside my bedroom window), but most mornings I love it.  It's so wonderful to be woken up by the sounds of birds, animals, and workers in the fields who have already started their long days work.  On peaceful mornings like today I like the morning melancholy. I am thankful to have the opportunity to wake up early, drink my coffee and enjoy this amazing view and this amazing country.  The first week has flown by (recap coming your way soon) with many ups and downs, but every morning I have the opportunity to start fresh with a little yoga, prayer, organization, and

The pavilion on the hill where I do my yoga in the mornings.

much needed coffee!

"Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard." Isaiah 58:8

 Today I am headed out to the local schools to bring them our model of the tippy tap, a simple hand washing station.  None of the schools have washing stations by their latrines, so we are hoping they will be responsive and allow us to come back and install these cheap, easy, and super effective tippy taps, (lavamanos as we will call them here) that will make a huge difference in the hygiene and reduction of disease among the children.  Diarrheal diseases are a huge problem in the DR, but little improvements such as the tippy taps can seriously cut down on diarrheal disease which will in turn keep the children healthier and allow them to focus on what they are at school for- learning! 

Our model tippy tap at Ruben's house.  Notice the cow in the background!

Anel, Project Hearts' program coordinator, gives it a try.  It is made with readily available materials and is simple enough for a child to make and maintain- Perfect for schools!

I will let you know how our meetings at the schools go today as we share the tippy taps and invite the principals of the schools to come to our Health Promoters planning meeting this Sunday! The principals are key stakeholders in our Health Promoters program and we need their support if it is going to be successful.  Wish us luck!

And if you're like me (and my entire family), you start your day off with a lot of singing. Luckily for the communities of Baitoa, I am far enough up on this hill where no one will have to listen to me belt in the mornings.  :)

Here's the song I will be singing all day long in my head:

Your Light Will Shine in the Darkness

Peace, Love, and water sanitation!

Meghan