We greatly appreciate and fully acknowledge the enormous support we have received from all our families, friends and community in the setting up of these projects.
However, due to the scale of the projects that we have chosen, we still require additional financial support to ensure that we complete the three projects within the time period of our stay in Casa Guatemala.
Aim:
To construct a 20ft x 42 ft, 2-storey extension onto the existing boys dormitory in Casa Guatemala. This extension will consist of sleeping dormitories (2), a playing area, 2 toilets and a study.
Reason:
In recent years, there have been several problems with regard to the sleeping
conditions of the boys in the Casa. In cramped conditions (sometimes 2
boys to a bed), several unsavoury incidents of abuse among the boys have
occurred. Casa directors and fellow volunteers have indicated to us that
this extension is of the utmost priority and will significantly help the
boys in their living conditions.
Materials:
42 wooden piles (20-35feet in length), pre-treated for potential water
damage
Wood for supporting structures, floors and walls
Galvanised roofing
Mosquito netting and wire netting for windows
Ropes, saws, nails, measuring tape
Gasoline for boats
Process
1. Piles bought from lumber yard
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7. 4 workers climb pile and begin pounding pile down with weight (see movie 1 soon) 8. When pile is sufficiently stable (10 feet down into mud), process begins again. We feel both honoured and privileged to be involved in this project to both help, learn and supervise(?) just how Guatemalan workers perform these basic construction tasks without any use of machinery. We must acknowledge the contribution of Martin O’Brien (Mairtin Rua) for surveying the initial site. Hope the rest of the trip went well and that you enjoy your first rasher sandwich in a long while when you get home. One the piles are in place, they will be kept together by crossing supporting wooden beams and the floor will then be constructed on top. A group of American Carpenters are arriving in two weeks to provide much needed expertise in this part of the project. |
 July 1st, 80% of the piles are down |
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Project on July 29th |
Project on July 29th |
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Lots of wood! |
Lots of wood again! |
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Older boys helping with hammering of nails |
Roof construction |
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Project on 12th of August |
Project on 16th of August |
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Construction of ground floor |
Construction of top floor, walls and mosquito screen |
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 study and new dormitories |
 upstairs dormitory |
 new toilets |
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 new washbasins |
Project 2:
Aim:
To provide fire extinguishers for most if not all of the Casa Guatemala
buildings.
Purpose:
Currently the orphanage consists of 15-20 buildings (all wood) with
only 3 extinguishers (all out of date) between them all. On one of our
first nights here, a severe electrical storm destroyed a large family
house quite close to the Casa, resulting in the death of a four-year-old
child.
Process:
We still are searching for a local supplier of fire extinguishers so help
us in our goal.
Aim:
To improve the standard of English taught in the Casa by providing more
up-to-date teaching books and activity workbooks for all the children
learning English.
Purpose:
Guatemala has traditionally had a agriculture-based economy but the benefits
of tourism are now being felt after the civil conflict ended in 1997.
As many of us know, English is the spoken language of tourism, therefore
the ability of these children to speak English will significantly improve
their ability of find a job in the growing Guatemalan touriam industry.
Materials needed:
Current books date from 1986. We are being helped by a group of Irish
girls coming out here at the end of the month, hopefully with new and
improved English grammar books.
Project 4:
Removal and replacement of old mosquito netting on existing building.
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Overcrowding conditions in the house |
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