We apologize for our absense, it has been extremely busy in Muskoka as we try to wrap up our season.  As most of you are aware, a number of us from Rockscape Design also spent 10 days in Matagalpa, Nicaragua.  The trip was very successful and thanks to a number of our Rockscape friends, clients and suppliers we were able to install 27 Bio-Sand Water Filters in 2  different villages.

The men spent the first day helping with construction at the Nicaragua Christian Academy which we helped break ground for last February. Phase 1 of this school is set to open this coming February.  The men worked alongside the local construction team and were able to help with painting and digging trenches.

Over the past 8 years, the ladies team has developed a great relationship with the women of La Curva.  We have bought them sewing machines and taught them to make clothes, bags and other items which they are now able to sell in their surrounding communities.  This year they wanted to teach us something, so we learned how to make jelly.  It was a wonderful experience spending an afternoon with these ladies.

Sunday was election day, so after church we had a BBQ at the Nicaragua Christian Academy property.  We spent the afternoon loading sand and gravel into bags and preparing for day 1 in the mountains.

We spent the next 4 days traveling to the villages of Las Pilas and Finca Josefina.  We were able to install 27 filters between the 2 villages.  This has enabled 120 people to have purified drinking water for at least the next 10 years.  We built many wonderful relationships with the people in these communities and we are very excited to visit them again on our next trip to Nicaragua.

The last day that the men went into the mountains, the women went to the public hospital to hand out gift bags to the women and babies in the maternity ward.  There were 125 newborns at the hospital that day.  A big thank-you to Knitters for Global Warmth for their generous donation of all the adorable babysets.  

We spent our last day in Matagalpa playing hockey with the kids at Colegio Bautista, which is a local Christian School.  We brought down nets and sticks about 3 years ago and introduced the kids to the game of Hockey, which they now love. 

We spent our last day doing some “touristy” type activitities.  Our team, as well as some of our closest friends travelled to Mombacho to go ziplining.  We also went to a market to purchase some gifts for family and friends at home.

These 10 days were an amazing experience.  We met so many new people, visited with some great friends and were able to work so well as a team.  We will keep you all updated with plans for our next trip.

Thanks again for your supprt, it is truly appreciated.

If your still interested in helping with this cause, we are currently looking for sponsors of 6 more filter which are required in the village of Finca Josefina.  Please contact sue@rockscapedesign.ca if your interested.