House Project weeks 6 and 7

Right to start, good progress was made at the house, especially the roof. We only worked for 4 days out of the last two weeks because we are still having trouble with cash flow. Not necessarily with the amount needed to complete, which including pleges should be enough, just the lodgistics of getting the money people want to send to Guatemala. Been a bit of a night mare, but if it takes a bit longer than expected so be it, most important thing is to have the funds at some stage.

Although we have the funds for the house in theory that is not to say that there isnt other things we could do with for donations. For a start the kids need to see a dentist, pretty badly in some cases and there is also a need for at least 3 out of the 5 family members to see a pshycologist for different reaons. So dont hold back with the cheque books just because you think we dont need it anymore. If your having trouble spending it, give it to us, we will put it to good use dont worry about that.!!!!! : ) 

I checked today to see how much time we have actually spent and all in all we have only spent 30 days working on site to date which isnt bad considering what we have got done. Be great to get the family in sooner rather than later all the same. If anybody wants a look at the books or schedule its not private information just send me an e mail and I will send it on no hassle (roryoconnor25@gmail.com)

 View from inside the house. This is Luis's bedroom.....

 View from front garden. This area Dona Eulalia plans on planting a few flowers and a bit of grass. Should be nice in a few months I would imagine...

View from neighbouring property. Have to say the skylights are cool. Bit of an indulgence on my part but the glass only cost 40 euros and the view from the windows is worth a million dollars all day long, would have been too much of a shame to close it up completly. 

 The girls room. Sorry about pics but not all that big up in there so hard to get a decent picture with back to the wall. Nonethe less there is plenty of room for 3 beds and lots of storage.

View from the windows. Not only is there a buetiful view of the mountains in the distance but also two volcanoes and an amazing sunset.... Had to do it......

 This is the septic pit. The pipe fromt the house at bottom of pic coming from toilet and the vent pipt top right. We continued working at this for a few days as there was a bit of work to be done at it and not a lot of cost in materials..

This is the septic pit, complete with shuttering ready for concrete cover to be poured on monday morning...

 This is Gavin looking very pleased with himself. There was some spare wood left over from the roof and Gavin was only mad to build a chicken coop. Had to nearly be the size of the actual house too but sure how and ever. Diego wanted to use it for a balcony complete with climbing rope for Luis for when he gets older !!!!. Gavins idea won out on this occasion, not to say the balcony wont go ahead later down the line mind you. Gavin is going to buy chickens for the coop, which in reality is going to fianance a mini bsuiness start up. Which is a great idea as in theory by having 30 chickens or so and selling the eggs there is an opportunity to bring in an additional 50 % of the house hold income at present. We will devise a small business plan for the family before leaving so that there is a constant flow of new chickens and eggs to sell and for the family to eat so that it stays sustainable and doesnt need additional money in the future.

Side view of coop. On top we used old galvinsed that was lying about the site. The nesting boxes were off cuts of timber and branches are perches and a way for the chickens to climb into the nesting boxes. We need to buy about 6 sheets of ply for the walls but I think it is well justified...

 On Friday I went to Cajalenquia to an opeing ceremony for water tanks we helped build a few months back with Semillasdeayuda seedsofhelp.org. I think we visted about 10 and have to say the decoration for the ceromony with flowers and wreaths was amazing. The people really appreaciated it as there is no running water in this area and it was a pleasure to be involved with it.

Water tank and pump in action........

Walter (Director and founder of seeds of help) was down from the states for a week so he had the privelage of doing the cutting of the ribbon in most cases.

Today in Guatemala is Independance day so there was a lot of marching with torches and flag waving going on. Have to say the schools the kids go to are really good for activities and are always holding events on weekends for the kids no matter what the occasion. Chiantla is a town and they are bigger schools with bigger resources than in La Cumbre but nonetheless is must take a lot of extra effort for the teachers to spend evenings and weekends planning and organising events. Fair play. Above is Sylvia, (middle of picture looking at the camera, I didnt have time to zoom and cant figure out how to do a close up on computer sorry) Below is luis, looking very interested hhhmmmm, below him is Kimberly Mellisa and Marie at the bottom.... te amo Guate!!!

Thanks again to everyone who has donated, is trying to donate, wants to donate in the future or has even thought about it. Hopefully there will be a blog next weekend too as there should be a bit of funds during the week.

And finally.... who says you cant put a trailer on a motorbike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!