This message is to all and everyone and their mothers too.

Most of you know that I am in El Salvador following out my mission as a berry alumni to serve unto others and suffer whilst doing so. That was a joke. But, seriously, I..ve been here for a year living in a small community with loving hardworking people who have (at least halfway) accepted me as one of their own. I..m working with an environmental committee that we started up of about 15 dedicated members and 7 or 8 more who show up when they can or when it..s not raining. (which is never) another joke. Anyway, as a peace corps volunteer I have the unique opportunity to connect my work here abroad with family members and friends back home who would like to help out. With this awesome environmental committee they..ve decided to do their first project with composting latrines. Some of you may not know anything about composting latrines, but if you..re interested, type it into google.com and there..s tons of info. even controversial info. But, the reason why composting latrines are a good idea for my community is because #1 lots of folks don..t have anywhere to poo. (If you wanna know how many times I..ve almost stepped in human poo droppings go to shanitosfootinpoostacks.com) #2 Some people have what..s is called a fosa latrine which is a big huge hole dug in the ground and if there..s one thing my community has going for it it..s an abundance of water. Dig 3 feet and water starts bubblin..up. So, unfortunately, some peoples latrines fill up with water in the rainy season and some peoples latrines are just downright contaminating our water sources for being dug too closely to fresh water springs. There is no potable water in my community. We all drink from the fresh water springs, so this contamination is clearly dangerous and disgusting. #3 Since a composting latrine allows the human waste to compost in a box along with ash and other dry material, it keeps the poo out of our fresh water streams and out of our nature trails in the protected area. So, if you..d like to help with this lovely effort to cut down on contamination, sicknesses, parasites and just plain old "ganas de vomitar" please go to this website

https://www.peacecorps.gov/resources/donors/contribute/projdetail.cfm?projdesc=519-094&region=latinamerica

and lay down some dinero. Your contributions are tax deductable and will be greatly appreciated. A dollar goes a long way here. This morning I bought a pack of noodles, coffee, a bar of soap, and an ink pen for less that a buck. Please send this message or website address on to any friends, family or organizations you think would like to contribute.

Thanks to all,