9 Blog to Malinguapamba (MP) + Project Intro/Overview

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Been a long time since my last blog, with lots of activities, too many photos (who me?), and spotty internet but now catching up on an amazing week in and around Malinguapamba (MP) which, for those just joining in is within the area well known as the Quilotoa Loop.

Left Tuesday 19Feb13 from Latacunga by bus to MP, hair-raising at times but safe and sound. Met two people on the bus from the area including Augustine who is on the Guantugloma project comittee (more later). MP quiet (market day, adults out of town) but local kids great hosts made me welcome until parents + Matriarch Dona Josephine arrived late. Spent next few days working with teachers and hanging with kids + hiking LOTS and monitoring projects. Include 2 mingas (big collaborative work sessions = "barn raising").

Now glad i came during the "rainy season" -- so green, and best for checking plant growth and seeing erosion control progress

Photos include some travel, school daze, hiking + monitoring intakes, tanks, Guantugloma intake areas + viveros, MP viveros, Site 96, ag, and December's Minga plantings on the Camino de Pucara. This last project is critical because it shows enourmous local hustle learning from EWB and taking on an enourmous project of their own with great success!

More detail on the monitoring etc to come soon, i promise.

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