Container News

The container classroom continues to evolve. An unexpected two days of heavy rain and cold weather stopped construction for a bit. We have to push back the opening day by a week to make sure all gets done. The good news is that a Canadian contingent will be able to be there for the grand opening.

Today, the men are working on finishing the walls, building the rafters, putting together the storage shelves and some electrical work. Together, we have come up with some creative solutions to various problems and situations. For the most part, my parts list and my plans have been spot on. Phew.

Computer Station desk being built - Carlos and Andres

Day 4 - Framing in the windows and ventelation

Various members of the village have come out of the woodwork to help with various parts of the project and have provided skills that have saved the day. That is exciting to see. As the pieces come together, people are able to see what I have been "seeing" for a long time.

Today, in the office, we looked at a container village/orphanage in South Africa. Truly amazing. As we talked, we thought of how a container could be used vertically to create a coffee/maize/bean dryer. The chimney effect would create a great deal of air movement. Yet another idea to put in the "must try some day" pile. And something else to think about while driving.

Friday, as we worked on the container, we talked about soda and the cost to the village. The men gave me some figures and I did the multiplication for them ... my calculator being a bit quicker. Las Delicias is a village of about 110 families. Using the lowest figures that they came up with, we found out that the village spends a minimum of $36,000.00 a year on soda. In farming terms, they need to plant more than 70 acres of maize to pay for their soda habit (not counting the costs to health) ... all by hand.  I was totally blown away by these numbers (went over them a bunch of times to make sure I wasn't out to lunch). Using the figures of some of the men, the number could easily be double that.

No power - time to varnish shelves and desk tops

We had another interesting discussion last week with a couple of the workers. Two of them, who work part time here, were looking for work in San Pedro. We began to do the math of what they would earn and what they would take home ... and for what cost to themselves and their bodies.

It turns out that for a 10 - 11 hour day ... 7 days a week, they would take home (after rent, food and transport) $25.00 a month. The figure does not include spending on personal items, clothes and medical. As well, the girls would be travelling in the dark at least one way so their personal risk would be considerable.

Obviously, we began to explore other options. We will see if they try and take advantage of some of the skills they have learned here.

Morning of Day 5 - All the framing of doors and windows done, interior walls nearly finished.

The teachers in the high school have been telling their students that our school is a good place to do their practicums at. That is good news for us. Three young men have already come to see about booking a place for September. Can you believe that?  Young boys thinking six months ahead of time? Excuse me while I sit back and massage my heart for a moment.

Will stop and let the pictures do the rest of the talking.

TTYL

BB