Today was like the last with a few variations. On our way to the school we took a new route, John, our translator, took us the long way (long by distance but faster due to no traffic). Most houses in the DR are built with cinder blocks but on the road we took they were mostly built with metal slats. This was the poorest section of town that we have seen. They have made their houses out of anything they can find and the garbage is pilled up higher here. It's heartbreaking to see. Driving through we were on a road that was in the process of being created, at this point it’s still dirt but the curbs have been made. The dirt made for a very
bumpy ride!
We continued sifting sand and finished hulling the sand to the third floor. We learned that it won’t actually be made into a third floor just yet. For now it will stay as the roof but a concrete roof rather than the metal it was before. This will make it easier for them to turn it into a third floor in the future. Most of the guys were on the roof helping make and pour
the concrete. It was a very hot and humid day as we started the day with rain. There have been a few sunburns and blisters from all the hard work up there.
The local workers who are there with us are amazing! They work so hard but Peter and Evan are keeping up with them. If they see you sitting down they are more than happy to put you back to work! There is no resting for them, but they do a great job!
Just before lunch Dan and Mario Matos, the director of COCREF, took a few minutes to film with the kids at the school for a new promotional video. In the video the kids had to yell “thank you” both in English and Spanish. Then when it was done they were all allowed to go home. On their way out, they would run by us and yell “Thank you”, they are so thankful that we are there to help out. Not only just to help build the school but thankful that we allow them to help out and for taking photos of them.
At lunch time a little boy came in and sat down for a while just waiting. After a while we realized that he wanted to clean Tina’s shoes, for a fee of course! And we couldn’t say no! He wanted 1 peso, which is roughly 15 cents Canadian. We handed some money over and away he went! He was very good at it; Tina’s shoes were shiny and new when he was done with them. Mario told us that this is a normal first job for kids; he even did it at one point!
The rest of the day passed quickly with the kids still trying to help and having fun watching us. Jeff even got to play chess with one of the kids, Wesley, and, after a close game, lost to him. He was a very good player!
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