Building and decorating daycares Feb 16th 2012

                                         

<Classroom with decorations
Teachers with new posters >                                                                                                 
                                                                                        


                                                 
                                  
                                                                     

<Classroom with teachers >.                                 
Sheila with students >

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New shelving with plastic containers
                                                  >
Class in progress


Hola everyone- it has been awhile since we have sent you an update, but we have been busy.
     We have been back and forth across the lake many times moving supplies out to various daycares and completing assessments of their needs.
Now we are working with numerous volunteers on several projects of interest. Nearly all the goods we brought down have been given out , I have been translating puzzles,books and games in the last couple of days. Brian is offering an English class 2 nights a week to some local Mayans here in san Juan which keeps him busy but has been fun, too. The various construction projects are confirmed and we now are trying to complete as many as we can.
Thanks to all the teachers who donated bulletin board trim and posters last year. Paty and I took a couple of days to decorate dull classrooms in several daycares and what an incredible difference it made!! The hanging plastic organizers came in handy for toothbrushes, cards- all manner of things and the tupperware containers ensure that supplies and toys are neatly secured and will stay dry. Brian was even able to hook up lighting at Chacap for a classroom and the kitchen.
    We are working with daycare parents and travelling volunteers at Chacap to put up an additional classroom using plastic bottles stuffed with garbage and  held in place with wire and adobe mixed with cement. A group of friends who work for Habitat for Humanity are lending a hand next week as well. Another class at Chacap was created when we changed a large kitchen for a small class area, then cemented the floor in the adobe building to create a bigger classroom.
< Filling empty water bottles with garbage.

Wiring bottles into wood frame >

 < Completed section before putting on cement.

Mixing cement for walls   >




< Covering wall with cement

Finished lower wall           >





 Two different groups made special one piece knit dolls for the daycares. A few have been handed out and what a hit they were. Thank you to those ladies who put so much love into every stitch for these little kids in Guatemala! The musical instruments, too create quite a stir here. The kids love to sing and have music in their day.
     A kitchen needs to be improved at Fe Y Vida where someone installed a chimney pipe with no vent, thereby creating a terribly smoky kitchen. A small window inserted into the kitchen at Neuvo Amanecer will provide much needed ventilation and a metal door will give quick and easy access to newly constructed bathrooms just a stone's throw from the classroom. Last year these little kids had to walk over a block to a terribly run down bathroom. Brian and I hope to complete these things in the next few days.
     The San Juan daycare needs some additional shelving- we have only to buy and cut the lumber and get it delivered. Yesterday, we installed   backpack hooks at Palestina and took out  big plastic bins to several daycares to help organized their supplies. Programming materials have been copied, some need to be laminated and then can be distributed.
We are excited to have the teams arrive from Heritage College in about 3 weeks and are busy making final arrangements for interpreters, vans, and daycare visits.
     The pictures show the botle classroom construction. Mums fill bottles with garbage. Then the bottles are set in between the supports and wired into place. Mud is then mixed and patted over and around the bottles- mums helped. The final wall is left to dry. The last shot is our whole team of volunteers! Quite a wonderful crew.
Thanks again to all of you who help in this venture in the daycares. We could not do what we do without You!!   Al the best-  Sheila and Brian

Volunteers