More from Erik in Canoa... and if you want to contribute...here is the link. Thank You! https://www.gofundme.com/26nd3g98
Erik Wenz added 3 new photos.
16 hrs ·
I'm sorry, this may be a long post, Please bear with me. Welcome to CNN (Canoa News Network), the only network that is "boots on the ground" here in Canoa, and actually on the whole coast! Canoa News Network may be reported by me, but our network is just that, a network of people who I really don't know how to thank. You don't have to live here or have even visited to be part of this network. You that are reading this, and you that have donated to the link below, and others are part of this network.
https://www.gofundme.com/26nd3g98
When we started this whole effort on April 16, 2016, we had no idea where we were going. First it started with rescuing anyone trapped and unfortunately concrete falling is a formidable opponent. I have not even had the time yet to grieve for the friends that we lost, (I know it is coming and that may be why I don't want to stop). Abruptly following any rescue attempts, we went into body recovery. You just suck it up and do it, it's part of life...you just do it.
Today, as I can see from wandering through town, we only have 3 buildings left that pose a threat to the surrounding community, each is multiple stories, each is built from unreinforced masonry, each have been crippled beyond repair, but still, the owners will not release these buildings for demolition. Ok...not spending my energy fighting these people anymore. We will still have all of the small building rubble in the side streets, small buildings in the Barrio, and all of the "unrecognized" areas of Canoa to clean up ourselves.
I think it is time to start focusing on what we knew was going to be the real work, rebuilding this town. There are a few things that are really important when you think about building a town from scratch.
Of course, infrastructure (which Canoa has very little because of all the thieving politicians in this Canton "County" of San Vicente who have historically raped all of the funding for themselves....calming, I don't want to rant). Another important part of rebuilding is getting the kids back in school which we are trying to help with by rebuilding the Los Algarrobos school. This place needs as much education as it can get and not just for the kids. I will post a few pictures of the efforts going on with the school later in this post.
I am tired of hearing people talk about third world countries. This term is a B.S. made up term, and if you actually research the term, you will learn where it came from. This is NOT a third world country. This is a developing country with hard working people who share the same emotions that we all do. I can not describe the respect that I have for my neighbors and the people that I spend my days with. The people here have not had the opportunities that we as Americans, Canadians, Australians, Europeans, or where every you may be from, have had. These people are fishermen, construction workers and small business owners who have scrimped along in life without assistance from the outside world, but they are a happy, loving people who are naturally cautious of outsiders.
Fopeca, the contracted company doing the demolition in Canoa are moving equipment out as I write. The military logistics camp moved out day before yesterday. Canoa is a ghost town at night except for a few crack heads (who will be gone shortly).
We are on a mission to rebuild this community, not for ourselves but for the people who have lived here for generations. I personally don't want to see "American influence" here. I would like to see the vibrant Latin, South American culture that drew me here in the first place.
Krista Wenz and I had the opportunity to meet four more amazing people in the last few days form Cotacachi, Ecuador. All four are from Canada and live in Ecuador. Brian Sullivan, Janette Sullivan, (who are both retired Canadian Mounted Police from Alberta), Peter McGoldrick, and Tracy Copeman, who brought us down 1000 ft of extensions cords that they made up themselves (for running donated tools), three new circular saws for people to rebuild their homes, 900 lbs of animal food, clothing and supplies for Canoa. They have been helping building fences, running electrical to tents in the "Campo" refugee camps and God knows what else. I want to thank them for their efforts along with the efforts of everyone else who has been here, and still here kicking some ass and for those who have sent their love and support to us and this community!
I have a restored faith in humanity.
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