We're moving ahead!
Loren spent several days in Guatemala last week with our friend and partner on this project, Victor Lopez from Guatemala City. Victor is Lucy's godfather and is really like family. He is as committed to this project as any of us.
Loren, Victor, and Maria Leticia, a young Quiche Mayan woman who is close to Juana and who can translate from Quiche (which is what Juana speaks) to Spanish, identified several suitable sites in the village where Juana and her family lives. If our first choice site doesn't work out, we have fallbacks and expect that we can complete a purchase within the next 6-8 weeks. Hooray!
Having seen the location firsthand, and now having gained "local knowledge" about challenges of life in the villages, we realize our project needs to include several key components: Sanitation and water purification systems, a smokeless stove (a lifesaver for impoverished people who commonly suffer from serious respiratory illnesses caused by proximity to wood smoke) and the education programs to accompany these systems.
Loren visited the supply house and got pricing for materials and building costs; he also learned what we'll need to set aside for transportation costs to move 1,100 concrete blocks on sometimes impassable roads. Because there is no electricity in the villages, all materials will need to be cut in larger nearby towns before being transported to the site—an additional cost.
As a result, we now estimate the project will cost closer to $15,000 than the original $10,000 we had anticipated. Any funds we raise in excess of hard building costs will be put aside in a fund to be used for maintenance of the home over time. We have already raised roughly 1/3 of that new goal.
We're in the process of working out the building schedule and logistics for people who want to volunteer. It looks like we'll be building in late July and/or August, so if you think you can join us please let us know now and we'll keep you posted. A couple families from California have volunteered already. Some can stay only for a few days and some for a week or two, but of course everyone is welcome.
Please continue to spread the word about this project and contribute in any way you can!
Loren spent several days in Guatemala last week with our friend and partner on this project, Victor Lopez from Guatemala City. Victor is Lucy's godfather and is really like family. He is as committed to this project as any of us.
Loren, Victor, and Maria Leticia, a young Quiche Mayan woman who is close to Juana and who can translate from Quiche (which is what Juana speaks) to Spanish, identified several suitable sites in the village where Juana and her family lives. If our first choice site doesn't work out, we have fallbacks and expect that we can complete a purchase within the next 6-8 weeks. Hooray!
Having seen the location firsthand, and now having gained "local knowledge" about challenges of life in the villages, we realize our project needs to include several key components: Sanitation and water purification systems, a smokeless stove (a lifesaver for impoverished people who commonly suffer from serious respiratory illnesses caused by proximity to wood smoke) and the education programs to accompany these systems.
Loren visited the supply house and got pricing for materials and building costs; he also learned what we'll need to set aside for transportation costs to move 1,100 concrete blocks on sometimes impassable roads. Because there is no electricity in the villages, all materials will need to be cut in larger nearby towns before being transported to the site—an additional cost.
As a result, we now estimate the project will cost closer to $15,000 than the original $10,000 we had anticipated. Any funds we raise in excess of hard building costs will be put aside in a fund to be used for maintenance of the home over time. We have already raised roughly 1/3 of that new goal.
We're in the process of working out the building schedule and logistics for people who want to volunteer. It looks like we'll be building in late July and/or August, so if you think you can join us please let us know now and we'll keep you posted. A couple families from California have volunteered already. Some can stay only for a few days and some for a week or two, but of course everyone is welcome.
Please continue to spread the word about this project and contribute in any way you can!