Work has begun: An update from Ile-a-Vache

Here is a note Dorise sent to East Acworth this week. She asked I put it on the blog. Computer time on the island is limited. Her companion, Nicholas, reports that on the first day about fifty women and men showed up with shovels and picks, buckets and baskets. He said they worked very hard. Dorise reports the pace has since been adjusted to meet local conditions. She sends her best to everyone.

Mardi, March 11

Finally we are underway with our project. Dug some more around the work site at the new school today. We were only three working as whenever I ask about the next work day, it turns out a community meeting has to be held first. I say, why not have the meeting right at the site from 7-10 in the morning? That way some can work, as we have too few tools, taking turns digging while the others are meeting. "Whoever can come, great." But that is a novelty, so we definitely have to have a meeting. In the afternoon I have been working with the children at the orphanage. Today I walked nearly a mile with Dada, a lovely girl who is paralyzed on one side. For the lack of a walker she is limited to crawling. She is very good at this, but I feel with training every day her muscles could get stronger in the legs. With support on one side she can get along well. When she sees me she can't wait to walk as I am the only one giving her that time these days. And there are many others that want help with walking: too few aides and too little time. It is heart-wrenching to leave at the end of the day.