Day 5 - Tuesday (Feb. 14) – Construction UPDATE

The construction crew had a phenomenal week. With such a large, experienced crew they were able to do far more than was initially planned. By the end of the week they had completed the following projects in San Victor:

1. Finished house #1 (windows, doors, and walls) for the Oba family of 4 (they were able to move out of a small hut with 12 people)


2. Finished house #2 (windows, doors, walls, stucco, and poured floor) for Awan family of 3 (they were able to move out of a small hut with 10 people)


3. Finished a new kitchen for the school (windows, doors) so that children who live too far away to walk home are able to get a good, healthy meal from village mothers who volunteer to cook. (Next year we plan on adding a second story for the computers the church purchased.)


4. Built a gate on the church to keep the dogs out during services (The doors have to be left open to maintain a breeze in the stifling heat and the dogs were running in and disturbing church activities.)


5. Added a lever handle to Ishmel's front door to make it easier for him


6. Repaired the plumbing at the local medical building


7. Replaced some rotted siding on a house/hut for the school principal


8. Replaced two front doors in the village that were rotten and where water came in during the rain. One of the doors was for Howard Storm's home (which is also used to house people who have no place to stay).


9. Fixed a leak in the school roof where water came in during the rain


10. Painted a church in Orangewalk and repaired leak at the church, as well.


11. Repaired windows and doors at a Pentecostal church in San Victor


12. Re-laid tile in the church and re-grouted the entire floor


13. Distributed 600 pounds of food (some of the recipients were literally starving)


14. Bought new cloths and furniture for a number of the poor families


15. Provided guitar lessons for two boys that wanted to learn


16. Spent endless hours with the many wonderful children of the village

In addition to these projects, a few of the team members purchased (out of their own pockets) materials for a concrete floor for a man whose need was apparent but he did not even ask for assistance.