Downtown Mocoron. During the ten year, CIA-funded Nicaraguan Contra war in eighties, Mocoron was used as a Red Cross base, situated as it is close to the border. Ironically, this was a time of boom for the local economy.

One of the buildings at Norma's foundation, formerly a Honduran army barracks.

The school, which houses a bank of computers.

Anita, Norma's adopted daughter, who was house sitting between studies in Puerto Lempira.

Her precision axing technique, always with a smile, put us men to shame.

And her cousin Legia, who lives in Mocoron. These two amazing girls run the place when no one else is around.

Jason, a trainee nurse from Utah, arrived the same day as me to volunteer for a few months. We had a great time hanging out together.

Me, grating coconut, freshly loped off the tree. This was to make coconut and, you guessed it, yucca cake. Intense concentration is needed to avoid bloody knuckles.

Rebecca. She had something of a vicious streak, and bit Jason's foot. Apparently they still argue.

There were a few other smaller parrots amongst the feathered residents, one of whom was called Nancy. She loved nothing more than to scream out "Anita! Anita!" from across the compound, in the style of a cantankerous, overly-demanding grandmother. True to their stereotype, you can train parrots to repeat things. In fact, Jason heard one in Belen calling out from the treetops: Recarga con Clara! This translates to, Recharge your cellphone with Clara! It must have heard a salesman boating along the waterways, calling out on his loudspeaker as he sold pre paid cell phone units. Now that would make a great advert...

Also part of the clan, sweet Canela, always trying to ingratiate herself for scraps.

I wasn't about to give her any of my breakfast: fresh fish, fried yucca and beans. Absolutely delicious.

Washed down with a cup of the local brew, steeped from the plant above, which tasted very much like fresh lemon grass tea.

The girls cooked us up whatever they could get their hands on, like this fresh deer meat.

If ever we ran out of yucca, there was always a friendly neighbour to sell us more. Phew.

And the health clinic, readying itself for another busy day. It was formerly the Red Cross building during the Contra War.

Basic supplies, but a lifesaver for many of those living in these communities.

The Moskitian skyline...