Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Bathrooms almost Complete!!!


Day 1: Building in poor condition, doors falling off, roof inundated with holes, latrines full and super smelly!



So after a long meeting about the rehabilitation of the bathroom structure at the primary school in Jiquilillo, the parents have begun. It was decided that we needed a week and a few days to complete the majority of the construction. The plans were that every day a group of five fathers would assist the lead carpenter Roberto Ruiz, one day would be a group of 5 mothers. This was the plan and the hopes of the entire community, everyone at the meeting seemed to be on board! So the first day of work arrives, I get to the school to help oversee the project and make sure we had all the appropriate supplies, and what happens but I get there 30 minutes late (car problems), Roberto, the lead carpenter, arrives just after me, about an hour later two fathers arrive, 30 minutes after that one more father comes. It is always funny, and a bit frustrating, to see such dedication at all the community meetings but when push comes to shove, only about half are really on board.






Day 2 & 3: Sanding down the metal cross beams of the roof structure.

Although we started the construction a bit late on day 1, we were able to push through and get all necessary work accomplished in only 3 hours! The following five days were the same, only about half the fathers or mothers showed up, if we were lucky.



Day 4: After removal of roof and grinding of metal cross beams



Eventually all construction was completed. This included removing the roof, sanding all metallic surfaces and then painting them, painting the roofing panels, and then securing them on the building. With all this done we are now only waiting a bit until I return from my boarder run, as my visa expired. The next steps include emptying the latrine chambers, completely scrubbing the building, and finally hanging the new doors which will be constructed while I am in Costa Rica.


Day 5: Using a new liquid paint remover to remove remaining paint and begin cleaning building.




All in all, this has been a very successful project. The community has been able to take complete ownership of this project. Assist Jiquilillo, Inc., has only provided funds to secure all necessary materials (which were fairly expense for the typical income here in Nicaragua). This in turn is just greasing the wheel for the community who was able to muster all necessary man/woman power needed to complete a project to better the lives of their children! I am proud to be able to be a part of this!


More pictures soon once everything is done!