Mishap

On the way back from Port-au-Prince to drop off two formators from Maison Arc-en-Ciel for our AIDS Prevention Program, our driver took to a ditch rather than be hit head-on by a tractor trailer truck.  No one was hurt and the damage was essentially cosmetic.  That's why it's a mishap and not an accident (in my book).

Kitchen-Dining Room

The walls of the kitchen are going up.  This is my favorite part as the positive change is so visible.  Foundations and roofs seem to take forever but the walls... just amazing.  The weather has been a challenge these last couple of days but the guys are bound and determined to get this work back on schedule.

More backyard

There are 20 chickens and one rooster. No need for an alarm clock. The rabbits number 25 (just gave two away to Mother Theresa's sisters). Every now and then we send a dozen or so to the main kitchen to be consumed by the kids. It's been a hare-raising experience.

My backyard

Grenadine fruit and flower.  The fruit makes an excellent and refreshing drink.

New Kitchen and Dining Area

Here are the boys spreading out the fill. There are 120 truckloads of "remblais" required to fill the foundation.

Long shot of the area that is filled.

Jean-Claude taking a break to have his photo taken.

 

One of the three trucks hired to provide us with fill for the foundation. Notice the guy under the truck who has to carefully and manually get the truck to dump the material.  This is a huge area to fill and it's a good day when all three trucks are working.  Getting stuck in the mud or breaking down happens often.  The trucks get the fill from the riverbed which is hand-shoveled.  They then make their way here to us fully-loaded, creaking at the strain and billowing back diesel fumes.  If the weather permits and the trucks hold up, we should be seeing the block walls going up next week.  Can't wait!

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.

Jimmy

Here's Jimmy after the dental work.  He must have cramps from all the smiling he's been doing.  Told him he looks great so he asked for a photo.  His personality has been transformed thanks to Dr. Tozzer and his dental team.