Journal Entry #4: Expedition Escalera

I’ve compiled an abridged journal of my time spent in Chiapas, Mexico building a school with Foundation Escalera. I decided to share my experiences to offer a small glimpse at the work we did and the people we met.

Chiapas 2010 School building expedition with Foundation Escalera Journal Entry #4

Tuesday, December 28th - La Virginia

Photo By Zachary Byron Taylor

“Boy, you gotta carry that weight a long time.”

The next morning, we awoke to sounds of multiple roosters crowing. I looked up at the roof and noticed a hornet’s nest in the rafters and Mark had a hornet on his sleeping bag. I also noticed in the light of day that walls did not go up to the roof, which was pitched. I assume to let air and light in, Marcos had no electricity, no running water, he cooked his meals over an open fire. He lives a modest life.

Most families in this village, collect coffee beans and dry them in the sun. They make about $4 per kilo, roughly $800 per year, if they sell four 50 kilo bags a year. We thanked Marcos for his hospitality, he shook our hands and said “Buenos Dias” as the women next door came running over to say hello. She offered us coffee and milk and breakfast, to come see her cocina. We politely declined, because we had to get to work. The welcoming and giving spirit of the people of La Virginia was overwhelming. Their willingness to share what little food and shelter they have with strangers is something we can all strive for.

Photo by Zachary Byron Taylor

I filled my water bottle and headed to the school site. Teams were installing windows and doors and I worked on caulking the cracks around the base walls and corners. After a few hours, I was recruited to install some stoves, the first woman was Maria, who lived about 8 long and steep blocks away. I had to carry the stove on my back the whole way there. I have never felt more physically challenged before, but I focused on getting this stove to her house. Hiking these inclines with a stove on my back, I couldn’t help but think about how this 70 year old woman does the same hike every day, sometimes carrying bundles of firewood, water, or supplies. It’s amazing. The installation of the stove was a relatively simple process, that included cutting a hole in the tin roof of her kitchen so the ventilation duct could go directly out of the shelter. Once the job was complete, we told Maria we would be back to cement the gaps around the flue.

Photo by Scott Howard

“The greatest gift is a portion of thyself.”

We hiked back to the school to grab another stove to install, this one for Rosa (pictured below: far right), an 80 year old woman who had trouble with her sight and also only spoke Tzeltal. She had a large cyst on her eye, which made her eyes water constantly. I couldn’t help but wonder if cooking over an open fire in a smoke filled kitchen had any affect on her sight. After a quick lunch, we finished installing Rosa’s new stove. We had to get her okay to cut the hole in her roof, as it was double thick tiles.

Photo by Zachary Byron Taylor

As I was cutting the hole for the flue, three very curious women entered the kitchen and began to ask me all sorts of questions. They were very intrigued by the whole set up, it was almost as if the gossip circle had come into the room. They asked me where the stove was from, how much it costs, where does the leña (wood) goes, is there one left, how can they get one, on and on. I looked out the door over to Rosa, who was quietly sitting on her stoop with a smile, proud of all the attention her new stove was getting. That made me smile, I knew then these stoves were being installed in the homes of the residents most in need.

After the stove was installed, we lit a fire and explained the benefits of using the new stove. Most importantly, how the humo (smoke) would go out through the vent and would be better for her health. I hope that Rosa uses the stove and her granddaughters who help her cook who be able to do so in a less smoke filled room. We shook Rosa’s hand and she said “gracias”.

Photo by Scott Howard

We made our way back to the camp site for dinner. I sat down outside on the stairs of the primary school and about 30 young boys ran over and sat down next to me. I was surrounded by all these little smiling faces looking up at me with such intrigue and interest. It was overwhelming, I asked a few of them their names and what they like to do, they would smile and giggle. It was one of my favorite moments, it reminded me of my nephews and nieces. After dinner, we played a little soccer and passed out candy to the kids. We had our nightly meeting to discuss the next day’s itinerary, the school was almost ready for inauguration.

Read Part 1 here | Read Part 2 here | Read Part 3 here