Container School - Day 1

The container is now in Las Delicias. When one says that simple sentence it has no reflection on the amount of energy required to accomplish that.

Arriving in the village - Men ready to lift power lines

In the valley just before the last climb into the village

The container arrived in Santa Cruz an hour early. However, one block on the way to Las Delicias, it developed a mechanical problem. All said, we sat until 3.00 p.m. when another tractor arrived to help out. This was a minor problem because Honduras was due to play the United States in a soccer game at 3.00 p.m. Sigh. The sacrifices we make to bring education to Honduras.

By 5.00 p.m. we had made the journey to Las Delicias. Fortunately, Chepe, our chairman, had a friend with a big truck. We used that truck a great deal last night. It helped the container truck up one steep stretch and then helped pull the container off the trailer.

Halfway point

Current location of the "school" - 40 students study in this small living room/dining room

At the bottom of the hill to Las Delicias, Trinidad and other community members were waiting (as they had for 8 hours) to help out on the steep climb into the village. Everyone was out to watch the container arrive. Talk about being better than a movie.

Raul suggested that he would like to try taking the container off the trailer. This was fine because it would save us a great deal of money if we didn't have to bring in a big forklift or crane (which was scheduled to come early this morning). Three hours later, the container was sitting on its four foundation tires in, basically, the right place. Amazing what enough hands can accomplish. Hydraulic jacks are truly a wonderful invention. A small jack that is used to change a tire can life the corner of a huge container. We used the jacks extensively.

Hooking up the chain for the one of the really tight corners
 

We stopped for a supper of baleadas and coffee which was very welcome. The village men and boys kept getting the container moved to the right spot and set on the tires.

I left Las Delicias at 9.00 and was home by 10.00 - ten miles. Two students had gone with me for the adventure and so the trip was enjoyable ... especially if you like Ranchero music played at full volume.

First stage of unloading - lifting the container off the pins.

Next week we will start the construction process. I am confident it will go together nicely but, at the same time, super nervous that I have forgotten a major item in the budget list.

TTYL

BB