Barbara Rothengass of the USA volunteered September 1-30, 2008 to perform a variety of Public Health assessments with schools and public and private medical facilities in order to help Galapagos ICE plan for priority future programming. Initially interested in conducting a needs assessment for sexual risk behavior, Barbara soon learned that safe drinking water was a more pressing concern for community members, so she shifted her focus to testing and promoting Solar Water Disinfection (SODIS) as a low-cost, sustainable solution. Basically, SODIS utilizes sanitized, re-used plastic bottles to collect water, and the bottles are then exposed to sunlight to kill bacteria. The method has proven highly effective in at least 20 developing nations. (For more detailed information, see www.sodis.ch.) Galapagos ICE and current volunteers are continuing to work on this project with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Galapagos National Park, to educate local residents about SODIS and the health benefits of consuming cleaner water.

October 10 – November 15, 2008: To help increase awareness of disability issues and provide a safe environment for local children with and without disabilities to play, Greg Mahood (Occupational Therapist, Canada) and Lorna Anderson (Recreational Therapist, Canada) designed a “Playground for All” that was built at Oswaldo Guyasamin Elementary School, using approximately 80% recycled materials. The equipment includes a giant tortoise climbing structure made of 118 tires, a tether-ball, see-saw, miniature (stationary) automobile, obstacle course, and a tire swing.  Special attention was given to offering equipment that would be accessible to children with physical disabilities, such as see-saws with wide seats and hip supports.

Work was completed with the generous donations of the Municipality of Santa Cruz and parents of students. Construction was organized by Galapagos ICE, but much of the work was performed by teachers and parents on two coordinated build days. The completed playground now provides a much-needed environment for children to expend their physical energies and can be used by teachers to help disabled students develop essential physical skills (strength, balance, co-ordination). Galapagos ICE plans to promote the playground as a model for others throughout the Islands.

Pollution in Paradise:  “One of the most valuable and pristine natural habitats in the world, the Galapagos Islands are now threatened due in part to a flood of tourists. Dan Rather travels to the islands to examine the rapidly changing environment there….”