Angela, Change & Paraguay

2009-08-09T20:08:00.003-04:00

I spent the morning with my family and we left for Tajy where we had the Despidida and said our goodbyes. I already miss them!

2009-08-08T20:02:00.002-04:00

Today was my last day in community and Andrea and I wanted to make the most of it. We had a list of things we wanted to complete before the end of the summer so we saved them all for the last day. We milked a cow and drove an oxen cart. Andrea's host mom let her kill a chicken and I cut the head off. We helped her prepare it too. I spent the rest of the day packing and spending time with my host family. We had a Goodbye Party and we said Bye to all the people we had met and worked with.

2009-08-07T19:59:00.002-04:00

Today we had our last charla and we did an overview of important things the kids learned and played lots of games. I'm sad that I'm leaving in two days.

2009-08-04T19:54:00.002-04:00

Today we started building the new fogon for the school and all of the kids were eager to help out. It was super hot so we drank a lot of Terere. We finished everything but the top and the chimney and we are going to finish tomorrow.

2009-08-03T19:51:00.002-04:00

Today we planted the rest of our trees at the other school and began our CBI which is to build a school fogon. We ending up having enough materials leftover over from the other fogons to build the one at the school. Today we just worked on removing the old one.

2009-08-02T19:49:00.000-04:00

Today it rained so I just sat around with my family, drinking mate and listening to the raindrops.

2009-08-01T19:46:00.002-04:00

Today we built our last required fogon. The family recieving it has thirteen children! We finished everything right before there was an awful storm.

2009-07-31T19:42:00.002-04:00

Today we planted about fifty of the trees at Las Mercedes School. We had each kid adopt a tree so now they're responsible for keeping it alive when we leave.

2009-07-30T19:11:00.003-04:00

Today we built our fifth fogon and completed everything but the chimney before lunch. Elva was so happy she gave us thirty pineapples. Today is also friendship day in Paraguay and I received a fake rose and a card from my family.

2009-07-29T19:09:00.002-04:00

Our 105 trees arrived today and we have to plant them this week.

2009-07-28T19:05:00.000-04:00

Today we dug the beds for the garden and made a scarecrow with the younger kids. We learned that we cannot plant the seeds without a fence and they will be receiving a fence after we leave. We had to just leave it the way it was and hopefully the will get the fence on time.

2009-07-27T19:03:00.002-04:00

Today we started our community garden and we learned how to use machetes. We cleared the area of weeds and other unwanted materials. We also taught charlas about why organic gardens are important.

2009-07-23T19:00:00.001-04:00

We built the fourth fogon today for Jorge and his family.

2009-07-22T18:58:00.003-04:00

Today we taught a charla on the importance of trees today and we are hoping to get our trees very soon

2009-07-21T18:53:00.000-04:00

I had a dream in Spanish last night! I am so excited about it. Midterm was todau. We stocked up on candy for the next two weeks and I talked to my family for a little bit.

2009-07-21T09:03:00.002-04:00

Hey everyone, I have built 3 of the 6 fogons and I am starting my community garden next week. Paraguay is the most amazing place and I dont want to leave. See you all in three weeks...

2009-07-20T18:49:00.000-04:00

We built the third fogon today and met a lot of new people who live on my side of the community.

2009-07-19T18:42:00.004-04:00

Today we taught a charla about dental hygiene and distributed toothbrushes. We also taught them how to make their own toothbrushes, how to brush their teeth and the importance of dental hygiene. They were very thankful to the Ledyard High School Key Club for getting all of the donations.

2009-07-18T18:38:00.002-04:00

We finished the fogon today but it took all day. Andrea and I think it took so long because we are in the process of teaching Nelson, her host uncle, how to build fogons.

2009-07-17T22:58:00.008-04:00

Click on the photo to see Angela during training (right). Read the initial update from AMIGOS to find out how her adventure began. Angela should be posting an update herself sometime next week.
- Mr. Jannke

2009-07-17T18:35:00.002-04:00

Today we started building our second fogon. It took us a very long time to get the tools we needed because we had to ask different people if we could borrow them. I think we will finish it tomorrow.

2009-07-15T18:31:00.002-04:00

(If you look closely you can see the needle in his hand)
Today I found a pique in my foot and we had to go back to the doctor's again to get it removed.

2009-07-14T18:23:00.003-04:00

Today my partner found Pique(a parasitic worm) in her foot and we had to go to the Doctor's office to get it removed. It took up the entire day

2009-07-13T18:18:00.003-04:00

We built our first fogon today with the help of local community members.

2009-07-10T18:14:00.002-04:00

Today we had our first Charla on Nutrition and Eating a balanced diet. I think we did a good job because the kids said that they learned a lot.

2009-07-09T18:10:00.000-04:00

Today I woke up with a very bad cold and my mom told me to stay in bed and sleep all day. She told me that everyone gets sick when it rains. They think I have swime flu and keep bringing me strange tea drinks. I hope I get better soon.

2009-07-08T18:06:00.002-04:00

Today it rained so much it woke me up in the morning. We had to cancel our charla because Paraguayans never go out in the rain. Andrea and I discovered that on Monday we are building our first stove. We also learned that one of the community's schools doesn't have a fogon and everyone wants us to build one. I think we found our CBI(Community based intiative.)

2009-07-07T18:00:00.002-04:00

Today I woke up to the sound of the "highway" next to my house and the roosters. I think the cofffee here is delicious even though it's instant. My Project Supervisor came for her weekly visit and there wasn't a lot to say because it is only our second day in community. We continued meeting people today and I found out my neighbors own a crocodile.

2009-07-06T17:49:00.004-04:00

Today I left Tajy and training to meet my host family and community. My host sister Anotonia came to pick us up and we rode in the back of a pick up truck. There are lots of chickens outside of my house and my host family is very friendly and nice. I'm living with Mabel(mom,) Nini(dad,)Grandma, Antonia, Fatima and Ema(host brother). They have two dogs Espike and Lassie and I really wanted to pet them but it's against the rules. We had an unofficial Charla or class and played games with all the children in our community.

2009-06-28T05:58:00.001-04:00

I'm heading to the airport. Adios!

2009-06-27T01:26:00.001-04:00

I finally finished packing and I am all set to leave. I leave for NY at 5 on Sunday

2009-06-25T14:30:00.002-04:00

I have almost everything packed but I'm going to unpack and check to make sure I didn't forget anything. I leave in 3 days and I honestly couldn't be more excited.

2009-06-22T19:08:00.000-04:00

2009-06-19T20:24:00.005-04:00

In total, I collected 144 toothbrushes to bring to San Pedro with me.

2009-06-17T18:55:00.005-04:00

Today I read a chapter about building the fogones in my community. I'm really excited to start my project in 10 days.

2009-06-08T21:04:00.002-04:00

The Key Club at Montville High School heard about the Toothbrush Drive we are doing and is starting one of there own. I think I might need an extra bag to put all of them in.

2009-06-07T18:49:00.005-04:00

The Key Club at my school has been collecting toothbrushes from teachers and students all this week. So far, we have collected about $30 (to purchase toothbrushes) and 20 toothbrushes. I'm going to bring all of the donations to Paraguay and use them to teach children about dental hygiene as part of my project.

2009-06-06T16:23:00.003-04:00

I just purchased my mosquito netting and water purification tablets and I have everything I need for my trip.

2009-05-31T19:15:00.002-04:00

I just went shopping for all the supplies I will need this summer. I leave in 29 days!

2009-05-30T13:58:00.001-04:00

My Amigos Shirt and international plane tickets came in the mail today.

2009-05-22T22:04:00.002-04:00

My visa for Paraguay came in the mail last week, and I booked my flight to Miami. In 39 days I'll be in San Pedro!

2009-05-04T16:34:00.002-04:00

I am finally done fundraising for my trip and I'd like to thank everyone who donated. Without all of you, I wouldn't be able to have this incredible opportunity

2009-04-28T19:23:00.003-04:00

Today I received a contribution from Mystic Air Quality and I am extremely grateful for their generosity.

2009-04-24T14:57:00.002-04:00

I got my final immunization(Yellow Fever) for my trip today. This week I recieved generous donations from both the Greenville Ohio VFW and Juliet Long School. I am now waiting for Pfizer to match Al's donation and I will have all of the money for my trip.

2009-04-13T22:12:00.003-04:00

Today I went to get two of the three immunizations I need for my trip and I will get my final immunization on Friday. I also received a donation from Gales Ferry School and I am now very close to my goal of $4,400.

2009-03-30T22:27:00.003-04:00

Today my training materials arrived in the mail and I am very enthusiastic to begin my online training. Tomorrow will be three months exactly until my first day in Paraguay.

2009-03-25T20:31:00.002-04:00

Today I recieved a donation from my Aunt ReRe, Uncle Ronnie, Desiree, Eric and Ronnie Jr., and I am very thankful for their contribution.

2009-03-13T21:51:00.003-04:00

Today I recieved news that the Greenville VFW will be donating to my trip and I am very thankful for their generous contribution. I will be having a dinner fundraiser at Valentino's in early April. I will post the date of the fundraiser as soon as I know all of the details.

2009-02-12T13:17:00.004-05:00

Last night I sold refreshments at the first Cupcakes (and Causes) meeting. I am hoping to do more small fundraisers and I will keep you posted about the dates and times of these events. Also, I would like to thank the Ledyard Lions Club for the generous donation I received today.

2009-02-05T20:53:00.004-05:00

The article in The Thames River Times was published this week. Because AMIGOS keeps your information confidential, I am unable to receive personal information from online donors. If you are donating online, and want follow up information upon my return, please either send me your e-mail or home address. Thanks!

2009-02-03T18:47:00.004-05:00

The first online donation was sent to my AMIGOS account today, courtesy of Mr. Jannke and his son Gianni. If you donate with a credit card, please notify me at AngelaMaloney10@yahoo.com or sectamigos@gmail.com so I can send you information about my trip upon my return.

2009-01-31T18:58:00.003-05:00

Today I received a donation from Myles Kirchner. I am extremely grateful for his generosity and I am hoping that the newspaper article will help me get closer to my goal of $4,400.

2009-01-30T06:16:00.000-05:00

Recently I was interviewed by Kira Goldenberg, a reporter from The Day/Thames River Times. She will be publishing an article about my trip with AMIGOS de las Americas in the next edition of the Thames River Times.

2009-01-14T22:51:00.000-05:00

Today I received my first donation! I am very excited for Paraguay and am very appreciative of the generous donation given by Norwich Family Dental Associates.