In Atjoni, where the road ends and the river begins.
The people of Ligorio travelled to Atjoni to help transport the rice mill and its engine back to our village.
Pulling the boat up Tapawata, the first of two rapids around which we have to portage our supplies.
Portaging the rice mill around Gaandam, rapid number 2. This rapid is much larger, requiring us to take the machines out of the boat and walk them around by land.
Our arrival in Ligorio quickly attracted a large crowd.
Frank and I after we installed and cemented the rice mill and its engine to the ground.
In the top…..
….and out the bottom. Frank inspecting the final product!
WHITE RICE!
And finally, one happy customer walking home with a mound of rice!
It's Always Sunny in Suriname 
Wow how wondetful.
Thanks Aunt Anne! So excited to see you all!
How great is that! We are certainly proud of you. Well done!
John Schmick
Thank you very much Mr. Schmick!! I heard I missed out on a special little tribute back home. I am sorry I was not able to attend myself but consider myself lucky to have received such a value-based education under your leadership and to have walked the halls of Gilman during your tenure!
This endeavor really exemplifies the saying “it takes a village”!!!
Congratulations!
The journey was remarkable and the end product must make you feel very proud! I’m telling you there is a million dollars waiting for you at the end of the show, “Survivor” someday! Aunt Kathy and I will help you with your video application! Just think how much good you could do with that!
See you soon!
Aunt Sheila
Sounds like a plan!! Unless Mitchell wants a partner for the Amazing Race. Cant wait to see you all soon!
Congratulations John!
Evan’s Mom
Thanks Ms. Delahanty….Just trying to keep up with all the good work that Evan is doing downriver!
Bravo again and again and again to all of you. I am very serious and unironic when I say that you personify the ideal of a Peace Corps Volunteer
Thank you Scott! None of it would be possible without you…Thank you for empowering all of us to persevere through and enjoy all that is Peace Corps.
Congratulations to you, John, and to the people of your village on your rice mill success! You all must feel so good about what you have accomplished. Looking at the photos and seeing what you had to do to get the mill there are most unbelievable! You all should be very pleased and proud of what you have done! Make the most of your remaining time in Suriname! Becky
I’m speechless….. Except for….
WOW!!!!!!!!!