REACH volunteers

From left to right: Margaret, Christine and Melissa; Mike, Derrick and Dominick.

Most of the team will be leaving tomorrow after a week filled with hard work and lots of laughs.  It has been a pleasure to have these folks with us.  As Derrick would say: it was a wicked good time.  Thanks much for your help and humor.  Come back anytime.

Scrambling

We have been getting some dramatic thunderstorms late in the afternoons.  The guys are working quickly to finish the day's work yesterday before the lightening and rains come.

The first girls' home

The first of the girls' homes is structurally complete.  All the walls and the roof are in place and connected.  A few little things remain to be done like the stucco, the electrical work, the plumbing... but we are pleased with the progress.

REACH containers

The two REACH containers finally arrived today.  This is excellent news as it means that the girls' homes will get built.  They should go up in a flash as all the metalwork is pre-cut and numbered.  Fifteen of our older boys are slated to work with Donald to learn this new construction method and chances are they'll be employed for years to come. 

ESPWA Kindergarten

Thanks to volunteers organized by Donald Stevens of REACH, we will have the prettiest pre-school in all of Haiti.  See for yourself.

REACH

Donald, Kevin, Sam, Christine, Christopher, Kip

REACH Team and apprentices

The bottom photo is important as it shows the training aspect of this project.  Our older boys are learning an alternative method of construction which will serve them very well in the future.

REACH breaks ground

Donald Stevens

Pouring the foundation for the girls' home

REACH crew standing behind our girls.  From left:

Sam, Christine, Christian, Kevin and Kip.

Donald Stevens and his crew (REACH) have started the foundation and will be doing training with our older boys in this alternative construction method which is hurricane and earthquake proof.  The girls are very excited as they'll get their own bathrooms and showers (mirrors included)!