November 2011 saw the official opening of the new Casa Communal, kitchen and dinning room up at Huayrapungo, one of our 3 schools in Ecuador.

The team bounced up the mountain in the back of a local van to lend a hand with the final preparations. 

The families were preparing a feast of chicken, guinea pig, broad beans, and 15 kilos of potatoes! 

Guests from neighbouring communities, including Muenala, lined up with baskets filled with fruits. These were presented to the hosts in return for a  shot of the local firewater -  aquadiente.

This was followed by the feast and we got to experience and taste first hand the local delicacy - roasted guinea pig. The verdict - like pork but a bit slimier...

Having sat without a roof, kitchen space or dinning room for nearly 4 years the Community and the kids at school are now enjoying the new school kitchen complete with wood burning and gas stoves and a dinning room. This is especially important up at 3500m, where the weather can be bleak and miserable at the best of times!

Thanks to all the past volunteers who took part in our Volcano Challenge in August - this is all down to your efforts and contributions!