From the eyes of Sonia...

Yesterday in South Bara we had stayed at the Drisas del mar hotel a 4-star hotel as per Bara standard but a 2 star North American standard hotel.  Breakfast was delicious with home- made toasted coconut bread, scrambled eggs, beans and rice with a side dish of papaya, water melon and bananas.
 
After breakfast we sailed on a motor boat to North Bara at the other side of the river.  There was a church where 17 women engaged in arts and crafts.   The program ‘Virtues Woman’ organized by Moviendo Esperanzas. Along the side of a wall on a table was a display of hand- made beautiful jewelry.  I was quite impressed with the creativity of working with recycled materials such as newspaper, pop cans, CDs, bottles, wires and egg cartons.
 
After Vincent’s presentation the women showed us the basic steps in making Carribean dolls. It was amazing.
 
We had lunch at a home – restaurant where they served Carribean chicken, fried plantain, coconut beans and rice.  I have never tasted chicken like that before.
 
After lunch we came back to church to help the women clean CDs so they can use it for mosaic artwork.  Later in the afternoon we celebrated birthdays for some women.  There were 2 large birthday cakes other women baked; one red colored vanilla cake and one green colored vanilla cake.  There were ham and cheese sandwiches plus bean on tortillas and coffee.
 
Before sunset we played a balloon game which everyone participated in.  We all had so much fun.  It was a blessing to see women happy, joyful, confident and successful.  Our team supported ‘Virtues Woman’ by purchasing items.
 
The team came back to South Bara for dinner which consisted of barbecue pork, fried cassava, carrot and pineapple salad. The day and evening ended well.  I will never forget this day.