They introduce me to people we meet in the street, gather mangos and show me the way down to the river. At a flat spot by the bridge someone is washing their car, and I am told that downstream from here is where we bathe. My typical day begins at sunrise with the sound of roaming goats and donkeys. Assuming there was no rain the night before, we would sleep outside on an elevated deck under the stars. We have instant coffee too, but somehow it doesn't taste that great with the blue mountain beans growing outside.
Someone reads the previous day's journal entry, and another gives the morning message.
Our main project is the construction of a concrete wall to enclose the Center and a small stage for concerts and weddings. The program's philosophy is to work alongside community members and to follow their lead in construction methods. We willingly follow their lead on the construction, especially the unhurried pace of labor. More than a functional structure, I hope the wall is symbolic of our friendship and of the visit. Most of my time is spent out on the field, since the other half of the trip is a day camp we run for the village kids.