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.

Project 1:

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


2. Transported by boat to the casa


3. One end of pile sharpened by axe and machete


4. Stand constructed 4 feet from unsharpened end of pile


5. Ropes attached and pile is lifted into correct position


6. 8-stone concrete weight transferred to top of pile

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


View of extension so far, from the water


Project on July 29th


Project on July 29th

Lots of wood!

Lots of wood again!

Older boys helping with hammering of nails

Roof construction

Project on 12th of August

Project on 16th of August

Construction of ground floor

Construction of top floor, walls and mosquito screen


new screens


new study room

study and new dormitories

upstairs dormitory

new toilets


new showers


Extension Sept 17

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.

Project 3:


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.

 

Overcrowding conditions in the house