Blog Feb 20, 2025.

Today, with construction completed in Camarones, seven of us traveled to Nandarola to inspect the village, check on eco-friendly stoves built two years ago, and discuss a pilot garden project with the farmers.

This village was one of the first we drilled a well for and it subsequently got a water tower appropriate for the size of the village and a strong electric pump to pump water far enough up the hill to the tank  that the distribution system we installed has good pressure even at the far reaches of the village. The system is working fine and supplying clean potable water to most of the village. There are still a few stragglers that refuse to pay the shared cost and choose to continue to use their dug wells but such is the same in all the villages. How they work out the sharing of the system and paying for electricity is done by a committee of their choosing and the rate is quite reasonable. They are also required to pay into a contingency fund for sustainability and replacement/repairs as needed.

The eco friendly stoves we built 2 years ago are working well. The cooking surface is larger and more efficient (>50%) the air much cleaner and cooler in their contained cooking areas and now with the occasional downdraft and wisp of smoke that does enter the room a recollection of what it use to be like. We now get carbon credits for each stove we produce amounting to $80 USD per stove and they are legitimately earned and put towards building more stoves.,

We then turned our attention to the garden pilot project we are starting this year. We have already helped to teach the farmers composting methods and vermiculture for growing a variety of crops  for the rainy season . Now we are providing a water pump, piping, tank and drip system to grow those crops in the dry season. An engineer skilled in the project is helping us with 2 pilot projects and if successful ( and it will be) we will scale up the project in the village. Such crops grown in the dry season fetch a premium price at the market and additional income for the farmer and the village.

Further the cooperative of 28 farmers in Nandarola have 10 acres of additional land we helped them buy on which they are planting trees with the help of an environmental group from which they can harvest the wood in 5 to 15 years, grow other crops in same area at the same time for additional income and help the environment at the same time.. 

Another interesting new development are Tilapia ponds a couple farmers are trying. They are small ponds 8 feet wide lined with plastic and 3 ft deep with around 12 inches of water in bottom which will support about 20 fish. They purchase the eggs, buy feed, change the water every 8 days and use the pond water in their gardens for fertilizer at the same time. The fish mature to eating size in a few weeks.

All entrepreneurial, a circular economy and worth monitoring for a couple years to see if this is another project in the village we could help with.

The farmers as always were glad to see us and we cannot help thinking this village has been a “hands up” project that has exploded thanks to their own hard work with a bit of hope instilled by us that someone cares, so they care.

Simply an inspiring village with a hopeful future.

Summary

As we prepare to leave Nicaragua after a very successful mission we have had a great time. We have worked together as a great team with diverse abilities, talent and a lot of hard work by all to complete our mission. The villages around Camarones have a new medical center with further plans to expand to a community center with some of the additional material left over. They have come out  in earnest  to work with us, become our friends, and thanked  us on the last day for caring in an area of Nicaragua that does not get a lot of attention because of its remoteness.

Doug

Last Day of the Build

What a great privilege to work with a dedicated team that spent two weeks building a much-needed Medical Centre for a Nicaraguan community. Our team of skilled professionals, including a doctor, nurse, safety officer, two carpenters, and welder, worked tirelessly to complete the project. It was heartwarming to see the community's enthusiasm and gratitude as they watched their new Medical Centre take shape. The centre will provide essential medical care for years to come, and it's a testament to the team's hard work and commitment. Special thanks to Doug, Janice, Brad, Adam, Jim, Jeremy, Jonathan, and Shanda for their incredible efforts.
Pictures to follow
THANKS

Steve

Monday and Tuesday

The last few days at the build site have been incredibly productive and rewarding. We’ve made significant progress, and it’s amazing to see everything coming together. The walls have been primed and painted, giving the space a fresh, clean look. We've also put up additional wooden walls, and the floor tiling has begun, adding that essential finishing touch. Adam has been hard at work welding steel doors and windows, which are now painted and ready for installation. The room partitions have also started to take shape, and with each step, it’s starting to look more and more like a fully functional building.

It’s such an exciting time for all of us, knowing that we’re creating a medical facility for this very remote village that will provide much-needed care for the community. It’s incredible to think that what was once just an idea is now becoming a reality. The thought of seeing the finished product soon is truly inspiring, and we’re all filled with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation.

I feel so blessed to be working with such an amazing team of individuals who have generously donated their time, energy, and skills to make this medical build happen. Their dedication and hard work are truly inspiring, and it's an honor to be part of this project alongside such passionate and talented people.

Looking ahead, we’re hopeful to wrap up more of the wall construction tomorrow and finish up the painting. There’s still work to be done, but the progress we’ve made so far has been incredible. I can’t wait to see how everything turns out in the end!

Janice

Weekend Rest and Relaxation

Our highly anticipated trip to San Juan del Sur finally arrived. Two glorious days with no concrete mixing and endless hot showers. We ( including Eric, Orlando and Jamil) piled in a van for the 90 minute trip to San Juan, a small tourist town on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua.  We first went to Maderas Beach, a few miles past San Juan. Maderas has a handful of bars, restaurants and surfing schools strung along its otherwise unspoiled  beach. It has the best surf in the area so we spent much of the day body surfing and getting roughed up by the huge waves (Adam decisively lost a round with the waves when was driven into the sand by a particularly nasty wave resulting some impressive scars.) Mid-afternoon, we went up the hill above the beach to a magical outdoor restaurant called Hush. Great food, an infinity pool in the bar and one of the best coastal views anywhere. Then off to our hotel in San Juan, the Oceana.  We stopped in at a small bar, The Hip,  that caters to Canadians. Lots of Canadian memorabilia and the Canada/US hockey game on the TV. Then to Vivian's on the beach for a drink and finally to Henry’s Iguana Bar for far too many chicken wings. Those of us with common sense then headed to bed while those lacking common sense (Janice, Sandra, Jeremy and Brad ) headed to Tuanis night club for a late night of dancing .  A wonderful relaxing day and a much needed break for us all. 

Jim

February Fourteenth - Happy Valentines Day

What a week it’s been! It is not about counting how many nails were hammered, how much cement was poured, or how many peanut butter sandwiches fueled our days. It is not even about the number of sewing lessons given or the kids who had fun while throwing a baseball, skipping rope, or peering through a magnifying glass.

The truth is, we are not here to change the world but we are trying our best to make a difference, however small it may be. The medical clinic we are building will serve hundreds, maybe thousands, and could even possibly save lives. The sewing skills being shared might provide an income, a sense of independence, or a new opportunity. And for the kids, the joy of play, of learning, laughing, and simply being kids is priceless.

Despite the early mornings, cold showers, and nonstop days, this team keeps showing up with a smile on their face, kindness in their heart and most importantly, their sense of humour. Working alongside the local community has been an absolute privilege, and every single person on the team has made this experience truly special. Now, after a week of hard work, it is time to take a well-deserved break and enjoy the weekend as tourists!!

Sandra 

February 13

Our beautiful weather continues and our projects are developing nicely. The construction crew completed more cement work, replaced some boards, leveled another floor space and started a couple of new walls. When the gravel ran out the day was over. Sandra went to Las En Ramadas assisted by Yamil to continue her work with the school children.

I am continuing my teaching with the sewing ladies. They have come so far in the last few months that I no longer worry about them. This time we are working specifically with stretchy fabrics and making t-shirts. Because stretchy fabric is a whole different way to sew, this required a lot of teaching moments. I brought a new sewing machine to Casa de Piedra that included a stretch stitch. I also brought them a serger machine that will allow their work to be finished much more professionally. They are loving both of the new machines. Three of the t-shirts were completed today and the ladies changed into their new t-shirt right on the spot. They had such huge smiles on their faces and the shirts fit perfectly. I know the techniques that they were taught can be transferred on to many new styles of outfits that they wish to sew. I’m so proud of each of these ladies for what they have accomplished since the beginning a couple of years ago. Considering they see me only twice a year for lessons they have improved leaps and bounds. They are helping each other now and that’s what it’s all about. They are making things not only for themselves but also for their children and grandchildren. I think they are almost ready to sell their wares for a bit of an income if they so choose. This was the original plan when we started this sewing group. It is an empowerment for women to have some independence and an ability to contribute to the family’s income. 

Hasta Luego

Kim

Day Three

Here we are all finished on day three. Once again we started at 5:30 am with breakfast and on the road by 6.

Steve and Sandra went to a local village to continue helping with the stove project. The rest of us were joined by Kim at the new medical clinic build site. Lots of concrete was mixed today by hand so that we could pour one large section of the floor and pour the wall reinforcement for hurricane protection. The highlight of my day was that Brad and I were able to ride on an oxen cart to the closest river so we could help fill jugs of water for the cement mixing process. While there we were treated by seeing a monkey swinging in the trees overhead  making deep sounding monkey grunts. I can’t wait to continue tomorrow and see how far we get.

Adam

Stove Building and the Medical Build

On my first stove day, the rest of the group woke up at 4:45 to get ready for a long drive to the other location, so we got up with them. I had a delicious breakfast at 6, consisting of eggs, beans, and cheese, accompanied by coffee. They left by 6:30, and we followed at 7. We arrived at the site around 8 o'clock,  Doug and I and our bricklayer Eric. All the necessary supplies were already at the site, so we began working right away. Our task was to shift all the sand and mix it with cement, and wet all the bricks! Eric built the stove with our assistance, and it was amazing to see how happy the family was to receive their new stove. They were overjoyed, knowing they no longer had to cook outside or on the ground. The process of assembling the stove took around four hours, during which time we fed Eric bricks, which he carefully placed on the cement. Once the stove was complete, we installed a pipe through the ceiling and added the stove plate. Eric finished the stove with a brush, making it look beautiful. The family was incredibly grateful, and we were happy to have made a positive impact . 

Meanwhile the rest of the team worked on the medical center build. Today they poured some of the floor, put on some of the rebar we had assembled and poured some footings.

Sandra played with a bunch of the Camerones children, assisted by Yamil. Kim continued with her sewing lessons in Casa de Piedra. All on all an amazing day.

Steve

Day One on the Jobsite

Our first day on the medical center build began early, with a 5:30 AM breakfast before loading into the trucks for departure just after 6 AM. The journey to the site took nearly two hours, starting on paved roads before transitioning to dirt and stone paths, crossing rivers, and climbing hills on a rugged 45-kilometer route. The build site was centrally located among four small villages.

Upon arrival, we quickly teamed up to unload materials and tools for the next two weeks of work. After meeting with the local engineer and builders to establish a plan of approach, we got to work. The team dug out multiple underground columns and wall supports, which were later poured in the afternoon. Others focused on steelwork—cutting, bending, and tying rebar cages for concrete reinforcement. We worked steadily under the warm sun until mid-afternoon before beginning our return journey home.

Meanwhile, Sandra and Kim set off for another village, Casa De Piedra. Sandra engaged the children in interactive activities like painting, skipping, and sports, while Kim continued working on the sewing project.

Hasta pronto,

Jeremy

Our First Weekend

Our weekend was packed as we prepared for the big build on Monday.

On Saturday, we headed to Jinotepe to take care of a few things, starting with a visit to the fabric store. Kim needed materials for her sewing classes in San Luis and Casa de Piedra, so we made that our first stop. Since there were two fabric stores side by side, we decided to divide and conquer—Kim, Adam, Steven, and Edgar went into one, while Jeremy and I tackled the other.

After clarifying exactly what we needed, we set out to find 30 different fabrics. Kim said her team was helpful, but Jeremy definitely took the prize for spotting the most fabrics. I was seriously impressed by how well the guys pitched in—no complaints at all! Just wait until their wives find out… they’ll be getting roped into every fabric shopping trip from now on.

Meanwhile, Brad and Jonathan headed to La Colonia to tackle the massive grocery list our cook, Romy, had given us. Cooking for a group of ten meant there was a lot of food to buy!

Once the rest of us had finished at the fabric store—spending $170 on thread, needles, and enough material to make 60 shirts—we walked over to join them. With everyone pitching in, the grocery shopping went quickly. Three carts full later, we headed to the cashier, making guesses on the total cost. Most of us were surprised at how much cheaper it was compared to home.

With the van loaded up, we decided to stop at the Casa for lunch before heading to the market to pick up fresh produce, fruits, and vegetables.

Our final stop was at Sinsa, where we bought a DeWalt drill. By the time we returned to our home for the next two weeks, we were exhausted but excited to find that Sandra and Jim had arrived. Our team of ten was finally complete!

Sunday we picked up baseballs and gloves, hammocks and bags from Tio Antonio’s for our sports with the children and for the Rotary auction back home and did a little sightseeing. Finally preparations were made for tomorrow and the team had a little time to relax. Our day tomorrow begins bright and early with a six o'clock departure for Camerones Unos to begin our medical clinic build.

Hasta Luego

Janice

Travel Day

Our travel day yesterday felt like an endless marathon, full of exhaustion and challenges, but every ounce of weariness faded the moment we arrived in Costa Rica and were greeted by the sight of the stunning palm trees. It was a sight that immediately lifted our spirits. The warm, balmy air, a pleasant 30 degrees, was a complete contrast to the frigid minus-7 snowstorm we had just left behind. After a little struggle to cram all 16 of our overloaded suitcases into the van, we finally hit the road towards Peñas Blancas, the gateway where we would cross into Nicaragua.

Our journey to the Nicaraguan border was longer than anticipated, delayed by an accident up ahead, forcing us to crawl along at a mere 20 km per hour. As the night fell, we could sense the fatigue settling in, but we pressed on, knowing that the next step would bring us closer to our destination. By the time we reached the Nicaraguan border, it was pitch black outside, and we were already feeling the weight of the long day. Still, the adventure was far from over. With our arms aching from pulling two fifty-pound suitcases, we were disheartened to find out that we had to turn around to get our passports stamped at the Costa Rican border. What we thought was a mere 200-meter walk turned into a much longer trek of what seemed like 500 meters, each step making our arms burn even more. But we powered through, determined to get things right.

As we retraced our steps and continued our journey back to the starting point, the mud that clogged the wheels of our suitcases only made the task that much harder. There were moments when I honestly questioned if I could go on, but somehow, we made it. Eventually, we found our way to the Nicaraguan Customs office, and after another long walk, we were able to navigate the paperwork and customs process without any further issues.

After a grueling 1.5-hour drive, we finally arrived at our destination, Casa de Campos, near Nandaime, Nicaragua. And let me tell you, there are few feelings more rewarding than stepping foot here, after such a taxing journey. What a blessing it is to be here, surrounded by incredible people, and to have the opportunity to work alongside our friends. We can’t wait to dive into the work ahead with this amazing group of humans. This journey may have been tough, but it's already proving to be well worth it.

Janice