This build was very similar to the past two - a block house, 10' x 20' (divided into 4 rooms) with a 3' x 5' bath off the back. We arrived on Monday at 8:00 a.m. to meet with the family and masons. The guys were pleasantly surprised to see that the footing had been dug and poured. The masons were ready to begin laying the blocks. After prayers, the head mason gave instructions of what they were in need of. Since the majority of our team were old hands at what needed to be done, we began our jobs.
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| Day 1 - The footing poured |
Blocks needed to be placed inside of the building, so a line was formed and we moved blocks. The mason needed some blocks broken in half, so I proceeded to chop and break, then moved on to chipping the ends out of blocks to make "U" blocks.
Several of the guys started mixing mortar for the blocks the masons were laying. "C" clamps were created out of re-bar, wires were cut to tie the "C" clamps to the re-bar to make ladders that would be place in the 5th and 11th rows of "U" blocks.
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| Chopping "U" blocks |
The weather was perfect - the temp started in the low 50's in the morning and rose to 70 by mid afternoon. Some clouds rolled in, but the rain stayed away. They were at the end of their rainy season and storms/rain usually happens during the mid-afternoon. We were blessed to only have one day when we got rained out at 2:00.
By the end of our first day, the masons had 5 rows of blocks laid on three sides of the house. Amazing! When we arrived on Tuesday, they had 5 rows laid on all four sides and the dividing walls in the house. The head mason, Eduardo said this is how far they would have been on Friday without our help. Made us feel like we had really accomplished something.
There were many kids on the work site and they were always anxious for our attention. We took time to color and play with them. I'm sure this would NEVER be allowed on a work site here in the States, but in Guatemala it is an every day occurrence to have children at the site
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| Mixing mortar |
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| Making re-bar ladders |
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| Each day the walls moved upward |
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| The outside walls were finished |
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| Forms for the corners |
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Work progressed smoothly all week and by Friday noon, ALL of the blocks had been laid, the corners were filled with cement and the next step would be adding the roof. A house usually takes 40-45 days to complete, but this one will probably be done in just a little over a month.
We were graciously allowed to visit a Habitat house that had recently been completed and was inhabited by a Social Worker and her daughter. It was wonderful to see the house, stuccoed, roofed and lived in. They had made a very comfortable home and strongly built to protect them in earthquakes.
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| Completed Habitat House |
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| Sink |
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| Bath |
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| Main room |
How thrilling to see the work progress day after day and know that you played a part in making that happen.
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing work! I am in awe of the skills you have developed in the few years you have done this. You are a blessing Judy!
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