Canadian Embassy
Chantal Cloutier spoke this afternoon with a senior representative of the Canadian embassy in Quito. Our government is now acutely aware of the situation we face and is using direct channels to pressure the Government of Ecuador to restore our power.
With a nationwide quarantine now in effect, this will not happen quickly. The Government of Canada assures us that an unimpeded supply of resources, including gasoline and any medicine we need, will be accessible to us while it seeks a diplomatic solution to our problem.
Fundraising
Our Fundraising team leaders report that you contributed $3559 today, including one donation of $40 to buy a day’s worth of gasoline for Norm Couture.
As I reported yesterday, Norm is spending $40 per day on generator gas to provide our Internet services. Norm’s is a selfless act, and generosity of the kind we saw today should be commended. Thank you all.
If you were in Manta for a supply run and unable to donate today, tomorrow, 17 March, our Fundraising team will be at Casa Isabella, B-22-A3, from 9 am to noon and at the commercial space from 12 to 4.
If you intend to pay your utilities bills to the crisis management committee and not to Inmirsan, please bring your cash payment to them. We ask that you pay your February electricity and water bill, plus 20% of its total value, plus $20. For example, if your total bill for water and electricity is $100, add 20% ($20) and add $20, for a total of $140.
You will receive a receipt for your cash payment that will be credited against future electricity and water bills.
Donations
Yesterday’s call for donations for the Neighbourhood Watch resulted in a healthy surplus of insect repellant, sunscreen, water, coffee, cream, milk, and other small comforts for our volunteers.
We have an immediate need for the following loaned items:
- Walkie talkies (two)
- Flashlights (two)
Please bring these items to the commercial area tomorrow, during fundraising hours.
Security
The Neighbourhood Watch schedule for tomorrow, Tuesday, 17 March, is available here:
https://jameswhittall.com/msj/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Neighbourhood-Watch-Schedule-16-March.pdf
Also, a matter of public safety. If your house wiring permits you to operate your exterior lights while on a generator, we ask that you leave them on after dark, for as long as your generator is running. Volunteers are hurting themselves. Any light we can provide to them on their rounds will help.
Water
Our water deliveries are now coming uninterrupted to Mirador San Jose. But you will notice that we lose pressure at night. This is because we need a gas pump to force water from the cistern into the water tower. The gas pump cannot run all day, every day, so we are forced to turn it off at night. We are now in search of an inexpensive second gas pump to supply water all day and all night. Until we locate one, please plan your consumption accordingly.
Public Works
Thanks to your generosity at today’s fundraiser, tomorrow we will have the empty lots sprayed for insects. We have assigned $260 in cash from today’s fundraiser to rent sprayers and to buy chemicals, masks, and gloves as worker protection. The mosquito invasion will soon be over!