Day 6

We are beginning to get used to being awoken by the roosters yet we must acknowledge that this will be one of our last work days in San Lucas Toliman.  It has been a true privilege to learn of the mission's projects, the Guatemalan people and to lend a small hand in helping to bring some assistance to those that don't ask for anything yet are so grateful.

It was a very windy day today and it blew the concrete dust everywhere.  We were once again divided into two teams with two different work sites.  One was near the school and the other was up a mountain in a residential community.  Today we would begin the stove building project!  Every scoopful of cement had to be sifted.  Our tools consisted of a hand trowel and a broken handle less shovel.  Even the buckets we used were very small and had holes in them.

The project we worked on were personal stoves for the families.  Most indigenous Guatemalans still use 3 large stones and a sheet of metal for a stove.  This results in an inefficient use of wood and a lot of smoke.  Many people have lung problems from the smoke. The new stoves will be much more efficient, use less wood, and provide healthier air for the children.

The new stoves have a cinder block foundation, brick fireboxes and a cement chimney stack.  The stoves are built in an outdoor kitchen area on dirt floors.  The walls are constructed of bamboo or corn stalks.  It is truly amazing how we were able to level the ground and square corners with only fishing line, a stake and a tape measure.

When we arrived at the work site, the ground still had to be prepared and prepped before the foundation blocks could be placed.  We literally used our hands and scooped water to dampen the dirt for tamping.  Tamping was also done by hand!  Once the Jefe (boss) decided it was level enough, the fishing line and tape measure were brought in to determine the size of the stove.

Finally, we could begin to add some cinder block walls and the cement could be sifted and made.

We had to wait for the cement to set up so we will be back tomorrow to continue to build the walls, add the bricks, ceramic tile and chimney.  So much more to do, but I love how the family keeps poking their heads into the kitchen to get glimpses of our progress.  Hopefully, they are not too disappointed!