Thoughts from ¨Las Chicas¨

A compilation of handwritten thoughts from dinner this evening:

Uncallamaya was a place I will never forget. The people and their way of life opened my eyes to something I have never experienced before. -Ati Namvar

Uncallamaya made me realize how important our work on building filters really makes a difference in a community. I will never forget that visit. - Christina Tebbe

When we arrived in Uncallamaya we had a short meeting before meeting the children and their families. The first thing we talked about were the toilets. I never thought I would come accross a community that did not have flushing toilets and toilet paper as well as sinks and running water. These are things I do not take time to truly apprectiate. It was hard for me to accept that they live that way--most people in the world do. But after spending a day with the children I was able to enjoy my time there. -Lucia Nuechter

Our visit to Uncallamaya really opened my eyes to how a lot of the world lives. The Foundation has made such a difference in parts of the community. It shows me that there is hope for worldwide clean water. -Sydney Riegert

On our second day in Uncallamaya we went around the community to clean and fix family´s water filters. We saw people who didn´t use their filters for a few years because they didn´t know how to use them. One woman´s husband passed away eight years ago and she had to raise five children on her own even thouty she and her family had been drinking water full of bacteria from a creek down from their house. She smiled the whole time we were there. It made me realize that even though these families are in such tough situations, they weren´t worried at all. They were happier than most who have clean and healthly water. -Emalani Artiss

My experience in Uncallamaya is one that I will never forget. Words cannot express the joy I felt when I was with the kids. There was one girl, Gabriela, who I felt a connection with before speaking a word to her. She had a smile that lit up the room. She seemed confident fearless even and was incredibly beautiful. Though I have pictures of her, and though I hardly spoke a word to her, I will never forget her face and the beautiful way in which she carried herself in a situation that was, in several aspects, less than beautiful. -Sophia Phillips

Joy was everywhere in this rural community. Even when the children´s hands were shaking with cold and their thin clothes were soaked, they always had the spirit to play a vivacious game of volleyball or laugh at something so small. I watched the way those strong people struggle, but their bright smiles were what stayed in my memory. -Marandah

Uncallamaya. Wow, what an experience! From the writings above, I bet yáll have heard (or read) all about it. Here´s a link to my blog where I have my take on it.
www.peacefulcookies.blogspot.com
-Heather Harkness