[fsf60k] tanned and toned

From: "Wiltamuth, Dick" <Dick.Wiltamuth@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <fsf60k@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:02:40 -0600
dear friends,
pete white led another very successful trip to nicaragua with 47 willing
students. three homes were built, suitcase contents distributed, lessons
taught. but beyond those routine tasks, several new projects were
accomplished or launched.
1. two solar cookers were bought for a total of $340 with student funds
from a mini-factory run by grupo fenix. cooks in nuevo amanecer and
chacraseca have been experimenting with them, in one instance
demonstrating it is indeed hot enough there to fry eggs. time will tell
if the cookers will be accepted into common use, weaning them from smoky
wood fires.
2. another branch of grupo fenix, suni solar, installed lights and two
outlets in the community center of nuevo. the installation is working,
giving the community its first lights. the total cost had been estimated
at $1,850 but came out to be $2,700 because more lights and the outlets
were needed. students picked up the cost above the $1,850 paid by
friends. suni is to provide an estimate on supplying solar power to
individual homes for one or  two light bulbs.
3. enhancement has begun of nuevo's water system to improve pressure to
part of the community and to replace some damaged pipes and too-small
pipes.the work is being done by pedro lopez, who installed the original
system and has much experience. the original tank will be moved to a
higher location and will be placed on a tower. and a new tank and tower
will be located in an area where pressure was low. students and citizens
dug new trenches. the cost, about $8,000, will be paid from the $24,000
in iovino family foundation funds given to friends as reimbursement for
what students had spent on the original system. a diesel generator is
now supplying power to the pump, and replacing it with solar panels is a
possibility for the future.
4. the austrian-nicaraguan nonprofit called chica is well on its way to
providing running water for all of chacraseca. pete met with the project
administrator, elmer zelaya, who indicated that the effort may run out
of money before completion. if so, we may look into securing additional
funds to finish the project.
5. students spent an afternoon in managua with jerry, who is promoting
biointensive farming on small plots. during the april student trip, it
is hoped that work on the plots can begin in nuevo.
also, some members of friends are planning a visit to nicaragua during
march. the student trip is scheduled for april 16-24.
[fsf60k] tanned and toned

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