Monday, March 17, 2008

Help a Starving Paraguayan Child Information Round-up

Ok, this is the first Help a Starving Paraguayan Child Information Round-up, we´ll see how it goes. Really there is food security here in Paraguay but people are more likely to help me if they think about the starving kids from Adopt a Child tv ads, so I´ll play off stereotypes of the developing world.

Here´s the idea: I don´t have that much time on the Internet (and when I´m on I selfishly want to communicate with my family and friends) but know that there is useful information out there that could help me with my projects in my community. SO... I am going to ask those of you with virtually unlimited access to technology to do me favors by researching topics and sending me e-mails or posting comments with links with what you find. I think that I will randomly award points for things like most rapid response, most helpful response, etc.

Challenge Number Petei (1):

Solar cook stoves and ovens

I know there have to be plans out there for a way to use solar energy with materials like tin foil and there certainly is enough solar energy here! Please research plans for making solar cooking implements and send them to me!! Bonus points if they´re in Spanish. If you find information in Gurarani I will fly to wherever you are and give you a big hug and a kiss!

Happy Hunting.

Oh yeah, I have been trying to find ways to lessen the pressures on Paraguayan forests and since people in my community largely cook with firewood solar alternatives would result in fewer trees being cut to be burnt!

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Insert bad bee pun here!



After living in Serafini for three months I just learned that one community member not only has bee hives but actually manages them for increased honey production! The week after next (next week nothing will get done becuause it´s Semana Santa- Saints´ Week) I am planning to go out to his hives and help him collect honey and next spring he will help me set up a hive of my own near my house!!! I am really excited to learn about beekeeping after the couple of days I spent practicing working bees in training and hope to work to improve Paraguayans´knowledge of apiculture, too.