Tuesday work progress

Our filled van on the way to work . . . three across (using the fold down seat) and four rows of folks, then one more in the front with the driver and Gabriel (our very helpful translator).

Today, we did not seem to get quite as much accomplished, but we still made good progress. We did not have to unload 3 trucks of sand and concrete blocks -- so maybe that was much of the difference! We also did not sift sand today -- we sifted much of it yesterday and still had some left by day's end.

When we arrived, we had to sweep the water from the rain out of the way and towards the roof drain. (It rained much of last night which was a wonderful sound to wake to when one turned over!)
We continued many of the same tasks as yesterday: cutting rebar, bending ties in two different shapes (C's and rectangles), assembling rebar structures for the columns (corners use 4 pieces and rectangles whereas mid-wall columns use 2 pieces of rebar and C shapes), mixing both mortar and cement on the concrete slab which serves as the roof of the second floor and will be the floor of the area we are working on, and laying concrete blocks on the walls. Today, we did not have quite as much local help, at least in the afternoon, but again, we still made progress.

Yesterday, teams of two generally worked to assemble the rebar structures; several times today, there were multiple people working together as they were more in a hurry to have a completed assembly which could be put in place.



We made progress on the wall as we added several more courses on the long and end walls.

Lu pouring water on the block before the next course is added.
Setting the important corner block (making sure it's level and plumb).
Success laying block as the clouds were rolling in.

Kim spent all morning chiseling out an area of previously constructed wall so that we can insert a column to help carry the roof; Pat and Kim worked on chiseling away part of the stair case so that we can make connections there as well. No easy way to do either -- just working slowly chipping away bit by bit.
Timing ended our day a little early as the rain came and we had just finished a course of block as well as the bulk of the mortar we had mixed.
Pat working away at chopping away on the existing stair tower so that we can make some connections with new rebar and concrete.

We all had time to take a break today at some point in the day . . . no breakroom anywhere around, but plenty of spots to rest for a few minutes before proceeding with the next task. The morning was quite warm / hot; the afternoon was much better as the clouds with the rain formed.

concrete blocks standing on end work for seats . . .


the top of the stair was okay to lie flat for a few minutes but only if the person(s) at the corner is not making too much noise with the chisels and hammers.

Even the pile of rocks is okay for a few minutes . . .

Like yesterday, the ladies of the church fed us very well. For morning snack, we had fresh fruit. For lunch, we had beets with onions, rellenos, and rice. For afternoon snack, we had tostados and plantains / beans. (The rellenos were the best I have ever eaten!)

Tonita (the cook in charge of the other ladies helping) with some beets and onions . . . She and the other ladies have shared many smiles and lots of good food with us so far.

the clouds rolling in with the afternoon rain showers

We only had two young children on site today . . . they had a good time playing with each other and a rolling chair. The little girl went to the dentist this afternoon, and the dentist removed her first tooth (yesterday, she cried and cried but she would not let anyone help her pull it; no, they do not have a tooth fairy here . . .)
Our neighbors behind the church . . . keep in mind that what you are looking at is one floor off the ground . . . not sure how they keep the chickens out of the house :)