First day of surveying class.

Hey everyone-
 
Today was day one of the surveying class! While Scott and Eric (SF) worked on bridge repairs, while Carrie (SF) and Kyle C (SF) dug a test hole for the clinic, while Maria and Kyle A scouted, Tyler and I were teaching. (Hopefully the others can provide updates on their work)
 
At first at 9 am there was only a couple students present. As time passed, more and more started flooding in. Unfortunately, Tyler and I seemed to be much less prepared than we thought. We had forgotten about name tags, we had forgotten our notebook with the class plan, and I'm sure we'd forgotten many other things.
 
I have found a whole new level of respect for teachers and educators.
 
We were able to settle everyone down, and have them introduce themselves, their age, and why they were interested in the class. There were probably 5-6 girls of the 28 students there (not uncommon of engineering classes in the states!). Ages ranged from 18-27. Everyone said they were taking the class to learn surveying...not the most creative answer in the world but definitely a worthy one.
 
We began introducing the overall concept. After probably talking for 20 minutes, a student said he did not understand my french. It was quite a blow to my ego, but I was glad someone said something. We started over, with Amilore (the young pastor), translating from English to French. All the students were very receptive. Things were going well. I think we touched on all the important concepts of surveying.
 
At the end of the class, we decided to have some practical experience. We set up 2 theodolites on tripods for the students to try out. They practically ran out of the class room. One of the tripods was set up lower to accommodate the shorter students (and me!); the other was taller for Tyler and the tall kids. People were antsy to be one of the first to use the scope. They were able to correctly read the angles and everything.
 
The first day of class was definitely a success. But much more planning will go into tomorrow's class.
 
For lunch, we had hotdogs in slices of bread, salad, pasta, and rice. Afterwards, Carrie, tyler and myself went to a tributary behind the granary to scout out water flow for the test run hydro electric. A whole group of little boys (probably 8 years old) followed us the whole way. As soon as we passed the part that was an irrigation canal. they all started yelling "no no! tournez! come wif me!" Apparently, they're not allowed to go up there. They thought the same for us. They kept saying "Actionnel Fache!" (Actionnel, the pastor, will get angry!).
 
It was very very hard to continue up the tributary as small children kept trying to tell us to turn back. It was very thoughtful of them...but difficult to go forward. Some even said "tombe! mourir!" (essentially- if you fall you will die). They were tugging on our arms. Calling us. So I decided to take them all back to the OFCB School/Church with me while Carrie and Tyler kept pushing forward.
 
The area was very beautiful. Bamboo shoots grew near the water, and the water was extremely pristine. A boy showed me just how clean, by drinking water directly from where it fell out of the side of the hill. There was livestock about, women carrying laundry on their heads on a path up the hill.
 
We marched back to OFCB, with a break to check out my binoculars.
 
When I returned, I was able to catch Kyle C to help him with soil testing the clinic. He had  tried 2 times to do the test, but each time was unsuccessful (the soil fell out of the PVC pipe...or something). We walked to the clinic site and a deep large hole had been dug in the middle of a bean field. I spoke with some of the people who were near by. One of the women looked as if she was 90 years old. Celia. Her and her husband came out from their home to check out what was going on. I think they're the ones leasing the farmland until the clinic is built.
 
It is amazing to me how people live for so long under such tough conditions. I think it's a true indication of their will power and spirit.
 
With some success, we were able to carry the soil test back to OFCB and add the water (essentially, you stuff soil in a pipe and add water, and see how long it takes to drain). Many young boys crowded around again to help. Kyle C had to carry a huge bucket filled withw ater from the clinic site to OFCB, proabably 800 m. I taught one boy, Eligeson words of encouragement in English. So the whole way he kept saying "Good Job" (with a wonderfully innocent haitian accent), or "Keep it up" to Kyle. We made it and were able to prop the PVC pipe to remain standing. Everything worked out.
 
I hope all is well in the states. Hopefully, Kyle or Scott can write an update tonight about their days.
 
-Eyleen