This past weekend, I traveled to the coastal town of Miches to help a Columbia University project conduct dive surveys. The surveys are designed by Reef Check to measure coral reef health. They count different species and record damage from things like anchors and/or contamination. The Columbia project is focused on creating low impact tourism in the area, in contrast to the mega resorts in nearby Punta Cana. You can read more about it at this recent New York Times article.
In other news, a development worker from Germany is going to be moving into my apartment next week. She works with the same coffee organization as me. Her agency’s term of service is only one year and it seems like most of their members are right out of high school. However, their maturity, professionalism and education seems to be on par with or exceed that of many of my American counterparts who are older and must have completed a four year university degree. It will be nice having someone to share expenses with and perhaps I’ll learn how to cook some German dishes.
The body of my former host dad’s brother who was murdered in Haiti last month was finally returned to our community yesterday. The legal process caused most of the delay. Given the dysfunctional governments on both sides of the border, I am surprised the body was recovered at all. I should also mention that the hospital here in town finally opened a few months ago, but it has limited functionality- especially considering its size.
