Belize building project update from Ron Grue

I just took this picture today just before I left today to come to PG to pic up Keith and Leroy.

Not bad considering it was only 5 days after arriving. The community involvement is like no other I have ever been in. I have an average of 30 - 40 people show up in a day and on occasion more.

The living here is close to primitive with no electricity except for a few homes with solar panels. There are very few homes with other than dirt floors but the involvement is so great it makes everthing else not important  I arrived there on Tuesday afternoon after spending the night at Mark's shack out behind his house and then he took me to town to get supplies I needed.

I left close to 11 and got out about 2 1/2 hours later the road it not great but I have had worse. The first day I got it all marked out and decided where and how to do it. They are still wondering what the heck I am doing but they are starting to see how it will all work out in the end I had to put in step footing as it was on a Hill so I had to decide how I had to go at one end so when I got to the other end we would not be short of dirt or fill as no machines to get more.

It all is working out quite well all things considered. They did the leveling once I showed them what was needed. It is amazing what people can do with shovels and spades. The most incredible moment was when we had worked a hard day and we had received one of the loads of materials I had ordered in the morning they had that unload in no time flat.

They told us the 2nd truck would be along shortly but it still had not shown up when we quite about 5 or so. I was at  home eating when we heard the big semi-trailer arrive. I had said earlier to the guys that if he came he would just have to wait. But when the driver blew his horn they all started to show up. We had 2200 blocks to unload and the metal for the roof and all the rebar.

I have never seen men work so hard and so much excitement and fun. It was unbelievable. I did try to video it but all you will hear is the sounds. Can you imagine unloaded all these 22 pallets of blocks by hand in the dark and have to pack them up the hill. They made a human chain up the hill and stacked them as they went. I only wish I had a beer to give them all night.

I have been eating at 1 family all week and am paying $20 Belize a day for meals hoping I would get some meat but so far I have had about 2 wings and a drumstick barely. Tortillas every meal and rice or pasta. On occasion an egg. No compliants just hard to adjust.

Yesterday we poured some of the footing all by hand so today we could put some blocks in the low end to bring it up to grade. Today I had the principle do the 1st block and then one of the locals is a god send do the second and then a school teacher did the third. From then on just told and guided CEO lay one block proud to say. They kept asking if it was good enough which it was but my reply was if you are happy with it is is ok with mesas it is your school not mine

They really have taken ownership and that is great. I had some if them help me make 4 beds for everyone coming today so you will not have to sleep on the floor. They where amazed with that too. I feel very safe and have no worries of losing tools. Very honest people.

Kids are great and have spent time with them as well.

Glad to say I go from 6-6 and then I am tired and it dark so the latest I have gone to bed is 9.

It has been wet and muddy so I bought boots today. We will be out if the mud soon if all goes well. We should be done pouring the floor by Tuesday night and the block walls should be near done by next satuday night. Hope to have the roof on by end of 3rd week and the doors and windows installed by the 23rd as we are planning a celebration.

I have told them I would have 500 Belize to buy pigs and food.

Could Ken please bring a Canadian flag to hang up on the job site. Bigger one
Thanks for now. I am sure Keith will have a story to tell when he comes back as well we all.
Great project and glad to be part if it. I only wish more if you could have been here for some if those very special moments.
Pray for good weather and help S we need.
I could tell so much more but will tell you when I get back with a slide show as I have lots of pictures.

YIR
Ron