HeadstrongWorks, Inc.

Dear Supporters:

Due to civil unrest and arbitrary law enforcement, we are unable to currently travel to Nicaragua. Although microloan funds continue to be recirculated and tracked by our community partners, we are suspending further donations until conditions improve in our partner communities.

Water Purifier Repair

Nicaragua June 2013: Waswali, Nuestra Tierra, El Salto, San Jose, Yaule

This trip was undertaken in order to scout for one or two communities who would be interested in working with HeadStrong over at least a 3-5 year period of time. We looked for communities that demonstrated leadership capacity, visible efforts toward self improvement, and willingness to collaborate and contribute toward the improved development of their families and public services.

Waswali

Waswali Elementary School

Waswali

The drainage problem at the school is evident.

Waswali

The school scrubbing sink is clogged, probably due to inability to properly drain during the rainy season.

Waswali

The cistern sits on top of this handwashing station. A government sponsored submersible pump was recently put in. Luckily the double rope pump was left behind in case the community has difficulty making water payments.

Waswali

The elementary school yard is huge and fenced in. Many trees and some small gardens have been put in by the students.

Waswali

A view of the church and a home behind it next to the school.

Waswali

Raph examines the handwashing station.

Waswali

The preschool classroom behind the elementary school.

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Matagalpa, Nicaraguga 2013

Working hand in hand with Puentes de Esperanza, we were able to ensure cleaner water access to approximately 500 people as well as explore Raphael Alvarado's building projects.

Matagalpa Stats

Big Bird

Our trusted bus (from Korea).

At Puentes de Esperanza

Prepping Cylinders for conversions. Nice sunburn lines.

Raph's Mahindra

Yaule, Nicaragua

Rope pump to be converted. Alex and Ronaldo strike GQ poses in the back.

Yaule, Nicaragua

Discussing conversion of the pump.

Yaule, Nicaragua

Measuring well depth after removing the rope pump.

Yaule, Nicaragua

Ready for the head.

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HAITI JULY 2012

Our first trip of five, with our mentor Rick. This was a chance to disseminate training, see how we work together, explore our skill sets, and see who can quip the best one liner under absurd circumstances.

Lexus.....in Haiti

You don't see this too often in Haiti.

Wayne's Rig

With off roading in the near future, Wayne quickly thinks up a road worthy, quickly built rack and we all pitch in to build it.

Ain't she a beaut?

Blue Ridge compound

Here we procured parts for repairs to come. Thanks Rick and Blue Ridge!

We're off!

Got rack, parts, and Mukhtar-will travel.

Day One

Look how happy we are to get in the back of the truck. Must be day one!

Feja, Haiti

First stop, Perpetual Secour Catholic Church. This well has been broken for some months.

Well Depth and Water Sample

Mukhtar and Lisa learn how to take a water sample and measure the well depth and size of the water column.

Feja

A local girl watches the action.

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"Use what you have."

HAITI FEBRUARY 2012

Staci and Garth go with EDGE Outreach to Ranquitte, Haiti.

Putting heads together.

Service to country.

5 seater to Pingnon.

Settling into the 5 seater.

We kept saying, "Our moms would kill us!!"

A look at Port Au Prince from above.

View from the Mission Aviation plane

Deforestation changing over.

Our pilot David and Rick.

Pingnon

Here is the airport at Pingnon, about a 30 minute flight from Port Au Prince.

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"Gravity demands payment."

Nicaragua November 2011

In partnership with EDGE Outreach, Water Ambassadors Canada, and Puentes de Esperanza, Staci gets to know hand pump repair and conversion in Matagalpa, Nicaragua.

Puentes de Esperanza

Inside the mission house at Puentes de Esperanza run by Rapheal Alvarado and and his lovely family. The food doesn't get any better than this!

View from the back

The mission house was once a nightclub hence the multilevel backyard space. Now it's a peaceful oasis.

Raph's truck ready to roll.

View of Matagalpa

Our first well in Apatites

Cleaning the space around the well.

This young man remembers when an Italian non profit group put the well in when he was a small child. The well has not worked for 14 years.

Pulling up the old pump components.

Examining pipe for defects.

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"You never know what's down the well."

Puentes de Esperanza

Inside the mission house at Puentes de Esperanza run by Rapheal Alvarado and and his lovely family. The food doesn't get any better than this!