Two weeks ago, Kate & I returned home after an incredible scouting trip to Nicaragua & Peru. After months of research stateside it was so exciting to finally see how statistics matched up to the reality of water and electricity access in rural communities.
We had a fantastic trip and were impressed by the enthusiastic reception of each and every person we met along the way. Once we announce our chosen expansion country at the Benefit (in just ONE MORE WEEK) we will give you all the details of how we came to our decision. Until then, check out these pictures recapping our adventure!
And we’re off! Next stop Peru!
After a 2 hour flight from Lima to Pucallpa, Kate & I were off up the river for 6 hours to a small community with a big name, called Santa Rosa Tamaya Tipishca
Long journeys aren’t so bad when there’s a hammock involved.
The vast Amazon River! And this was the dry season, so the water level is at its lowest.
Alum, in its natural form. In Santa Rosa there was a UNICEF project where they were given chlorine and alum to treat the river water within their own home.
Here is typical home in the Ucalyali Region.Kate & I stayed the night in this community and watched the sunset with some of the community kiddos.An eco-sanitation project in the commmunity. There was one for each household.Our sleeping quarters for the evening.Boots on and ready to trek.
Our boat back down the river, a bit smaller and with no shade and no hammock. It was hot journey back down to Pucallpa!Next city we visited was Iquitos. It was 2 hour flight from Pucallpa to Iquitos. Here we are with our translator and area expert Jose as we head out on another 6 hour journey to check out more rural communities in the area.A local hand-dug well in the community of Puerto Miguel.In many communities they use these kerosene lanterns as their source of light at night.After 6 hours on the river, we are off on a hour-long hike thru the Amazon to a small community called Nuevo Jerusalem.This is Bana! Can you even handle the cheeks on this little cutie?Here is just one of the many people we had the opportunity to speak with on our journey. Her name is Chachita and she is from Piyarote.Closing out a successful trip through Peru. Now off to Nicaragua!Off on this small plane for a short 45 minute ride from Managua to Puerto Cabezas, located on the East Coast of the country!After an awesome meeting with some great contacts in Puerto Cabezas we were determined to get to small town called Waspam, located 4 hours north and on the Coco River, which is a river that borders Honduras.Reminds us of Ghana.And so does this!Our amazing translators! In the communities around Waspam, people speak Miskito. These guys were a tremendous help.A household in the community of Kiwastara.Louis Jackson, the Heffe of Andres, was extremely helpful as we tried to learn more about their source of electricity and water.We could get used to this boat thing!
