Project Update
Posted
by
Mark
on 05 Jun 2009
So sitting on the beach didn't last for long as we began the project work in Puerto Lopez at the Daniel Lopez school. Depsite a bout of some stomach bugs within the group we progressed well with the work and learned to appreciate that hand mixing cement towards the middle of the day is actually reasonably warm work, and that two coats of paint are always best for metal beams. Just to re-cover the guano which appeared overnight!
Slowly the structure of the school building began to improve as the existing concrete columns were patched up and the beams were welded into place, ready to take the new zinc sheeting. (We had a little help from the village 'maestros' with that!). We even found time to help the school children with some english lessons and of course a couple of international football games. Peru usually won.
When we could find some time to relax our fantastic hosts there, Fernando and Pedro, showed us some of the local sights, which included some mud baths, a gorgeous beach and a boat trip to a nearby isla.
As our time in Puerto Lopez drew to a close the roof was bolted into place, again with a little help from our friends, and a ceremony was held by Sonor Gonzales, the principal, to thank us for our work. Then it was a simple case of cutting the ribbon to open the newly improved Daniel Lopez classrooms - all ready for Maths on Monday!
We sadly left our home of 2 weeks behind us as we headed out on the early bus to Peru, via a particularly good bus terminal in Guayaquil(?), and after a long and tiring bus trip we arrived ready for a bit of a rest in the surf town of Mancora. A new country, the next adventure!