So it's been awhile since my last update. Let's just call it a holiday break from depressing news from abroad. However, just because I want to drink egg nog and be merry, doesn't mean that bad stops being bad. Since my last blog, Bahajj's sister died and just last weekend his brother-in-law died. I knit him a scarf and hat and I figured that it should make him feel all better, I wish.

Anyway, we are in discussions with Yassir, Tarik's younger brother, about what we will put our funds towards. Apparently, right now the most pressing issue is figuring a way to traverse the river where the bridge was knocked out. In winter the river rises rather high and of course the people live on both sides of the river. Currently, I've been told that they have managed with a chord traversing the river with an old tire attached to it. I have a hard time picturing how some of those old ladies and their goats would manage.

We've discussed several options: possibly buying supplies here and sending them over there, but we haven't yet come up with a bright idea for a compactible bridge. We will most likely send the money to Yassir and oversee whatever they see fit from abroad. Yassir told me that he also thinks that replacing some of the trees should be a priority. We have about $2,000 raised. It's not going to make everything all better. At the very least, maybe the villagers will be touched to know that we are pulling for them. Thanks to all who contributed. Happy New Year!!