The Cercadillo Project

“How much longer until verano (summer), Ina?”  An often asked question.

For some people on our island the thought of summer might bring a dread of more heat and at times seemingly unbearable humidity.  That is not what the children, youth and parents are asking me.  They aren’t asking when school vacation starts.  They are asking when our camps are going to begin. I have to chuckle when a camper asks two days after our camping season has just ended!

Since 2008 we have been able to offer a summer day camping experience in Cercadillo.  Summer camps have definitely morphed through the years along with those of us leading and planning the events!  I love that it has become such a part of village life that words “summer” and “camp” have become synonymous.

Girls’ Camps (7-12 years olds)  & (13-17 years old)

2016 Girls’ Camp 

2016 Youth Girls’ Camp

Aurelia leading a Large Group session.

Carmencita engaging youth girls in a Conflict Resolution activity.

2016 Staff for Girls’ and Youth Girls’ Camp

 This years’ Girls’ and Youth Girls’ Camps were led by OUR women!!!  They have assisted in our other camps for the last few years, but this year we were there to assist them as they led.   You’ll recognize Jessica Terpstra, our faithful summer volunteer, on the left and Rebekah Cline on the right.  Sarah Pierce, an awesome college student from North Carolina, volunteered with us as well.

I loved those moments during these days when there were absolutely no “outsiders” and all the campers were engaged in meaningful activities with exuberant leaders.   Rebekah, Jessica and I just stood back and smiled.    Don’t get me wrong!  We greatly appreciate all that our visiting groups add to the summer programming, but this . . . this is the ultimate goal . . . that OUR people can lead and serve in their own community!

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Children’s Camp (Boys and Girls 7-12 years old)

Gateway Community Church folks joined with our women, our summer staff and some awesome translators to provide an unforgettable week for our boys and girls .

Our kids love music so that’s how we start the day.

Some of our youth girls helped lead music for the children’s camp.

If the camp is being lead by folks from Gateway, there is a good chance that there is silly skit with a character our kids remember and laugh about for years! This year was no exception!

You have to have crafts at summer camp, right?

 And games . . . lots of games . . .

.

. . . the sillier and wetter the better!

But wait . . . there is more . . .

Fun science experiments!

Creative Bible stories!

And just a whole lot of great memory making moments . . .

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Baseball Camp (Boys 8-17 years old)

Maryville Baptist Church from Maryville, IL returned to lead our boys in three baseball camps again this year.

Julian, the little boy with the big smile, waited for an entire year to be to old enough to participate in baseball camp. (Children’s Camp starts at seven, but you must be eight for baseball camp.)  Finally his moment had arrived!

From catching practice . . .

to batting practice . . .

to fielding practice . . .

to learning about being part of a team . . .

. . . you all deserve a high five!

What a great verano!  Thanks to all who made it happen!

As of Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 PM, 21 families now have a way to filter water in their homes!  100+ people will have clean drinking water!

Cli, Elida, Rosalba, Carmencita, Ricki, Marcelina, Leticia

We designated the Café y Coser workday as a “Work for Water” day with the goal of our ladies earning the $500 pesos (approx $11 usd) to pay their portion of the cost of the filters.

Aurelia, Epifania, Rosi, Dominga, Raiza, Mercedes

After learning about the importance of drinking water during the recent health education classes, our women were very concerned about having clean water for their families.   Thankfully, a family donated money for just this purpose!  (We have helped families purchase these filters before, but that was about six years ago and almost all needed to be replaced.)

Mayleni

The organization that makes these filters has changed names, but still provides the same quality product.  The water filters down through a clay pot that sits on top of a chemical-free-plastic 5 gallon bucket.   Once the water has passed through the filter is ready to drink.

This simple to use and maintain filter is also extremely cost effective.   The $1000 donation made it possible for us to purchase 25 filters.  These filters can be used for at LEAST 5 years, and possibly longer.  What a wonderful gift to our community!

The next time you drink a glass of clean water give thanks for it and for all the incredible things that are happening in our little corner of the world.

Meri, Mercedes, Rosa, Felicia