Matt in the cockpit

Jeff sailing along


Well, I have had a lot of help this month and I really appreciate it!I was surprised about two months ago with the arrival of two old friends from San Diego, Matt and Jeff. They came down to sea trial Jeff's boat and to visit. They stepped on board and could tell immediately that i needed help and was over my head.(Who isn't who owns a big wooden boat?)I was telling them of my dreams to have Vltava ready to go to San Evaristo at the end of April for our science week with the kids there. They helped me to prioritize my list of things needed to be done before I could leave. We decided that the engine should be my first concern and they jumped right in to help me get her going. The first thing we needed was to get the exhaust riser for the engine repaired and functioning so I can run the engine. Matt took the exhaust riser off,no small feat as the bolts were rusted and frozen. After a short consult with Adam from Smiles to go, the riser came free and we were ready to go. Jeff donated the money for the metal tubing needed to recreate the riser and they both helped me get the 9 feet of tubing to the boat. Matt and I hunted down a welder and Bob and Joanne from Flying Fish donated the money for the welder. The riser is now with the welder and we are waiting for pick up! this is a huge thing as it means we can be mobile again AND charge our batteries once the alternator is hooked up. None of this could have happened without all these people and I am forever grateful. Matt spent the rest of the time helping me to clean up the battery connections, organize the boat and keep me focused on my goals. It made all the difference!!!! Our next big challenge is the bottom cleaning. It needs to be done before we leave but it makes me nervous to think of doing anything to the bottom. We really need a hualout and I don't want to create any problems by scrapping the hull that I won't be able to fix. I guess I just have to jump in and see what happens.
Jack and I met with the teacher from San Evaristo and went over the projects we are hoping to do and discuss timing and schedule for the three days. We all left feeeling very excited about the project and talked about the fact that this is the first project of it's kind that any of us knew about. very exciting to be a part of it all. Not much else for now. We are working hard to get this all done in time. cross your fingers for us! Allison

We are all getting very excited for our science week in San Evaristo. We have 14 hrs of really exciting curriculum that my good friend Jack, from Waterdog, is going to teacher when we are there. The cruisers here are so supportive it is amazing!We have almost gotten all the materials donated we need for the classes and friends are even coming over to help me work on the boat and get it ready for a trip. It just gives me goose bumps!!!!!!We have been spending everyday, trying to get the boat ready for this trip. It is happening in the end of April and there is a lot to do. Our biggest stumbling block, right now, is cash flow. I have all the workers and helpers I can use but not enough cash to buy the supplies needed to get the jobs done. I am not too proud to beg. We need help. If there is anyone out there who would like to be involved in anyway, or has some good ideas on how to raise some money, or would like to donate to our program, please let me know. My direct email is sunbreakeducation@yahoo.com. I would love any suggestions made!!!! anyway, just wanted to follow Isabelle's story and let you all know what is happening with us. keep posted as it is just going to get more and more exciting in the months to come. Thanks, Allison

Okay.Isabelle here.I am going to start "taking over" the blog as of tomorrow,so it will be up-dated much more.

Lately,we have been gathering school supplies for San Evaristo. My mom,brother,me and a friend of ours who is a Astronmy teacher are going to head to San Evaristo to teach a week long class.Our plan is head up there last week of April,and we are still collecting donations until then.I was up in San Evaristo just a week or two ago,there were about 13 kids from the ages of seven to twelve.The teacher travels the six hours to La Paz every weekend to see his family,he is normally back at San Evaristo on late Sunday.However,this time we did not see him until late Monday.I think he is debating on moving to Ia Paz to be with his wife and three children.He is doing a wonderful thing staying as long as he has.While we were there we bought some yellow tail tuna from the local fisherman and some handmade corn tortillas from his wife.It turns out that the Mexican goverment is founding the building of some cement buildings .Cement is a big step up from where they were.Normally your house is made from cardboard boxes you tore apart,held with bottle caps and a few nails.Every year they are washed away from hurricanes.When we ask the teacher and other locals what we can bring to help them,they almost always say food staples.Like flour and sugar.We have mostly been staying to school supplies,and every once in a while someone will give us clothes or food.Anything to help!