Project Update as of 2-4-12

Our ever evolving work and project is summarized below:

Be on the look out for "real time" pictures while we are down in Nicaragua

Purchase and install: pump/cover for well; make/install compressed earth blocks and add/replace new bamboo siding around the well and “comedor” (kitchen) area.

 

 

 

  

Sand, scrape, prep and re-paint and install new swings for existing swing set

 

 

 

 

 

Paint inside of school trim and entire exterior of pre-school

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase and plant fruit trees in the school yard - mangos, tangerines, oranges, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

Build and install some eco stoves with help and coordination from Sister City

Most Nicaraguan women cook over open fires, which means they (and the children who follow them around all day) are breathing smoke all day. Newton’s Sister City EcoStove solves that problem. It’s a brick and cement cooking box up on legs: you put the wood in one end; there are two holes in the top for your favorite pots, and at the far end a chimney made of cement tubes that carries the smoke right up through the roof and away from the house. We call it the EcoStove because it uses half the wood of an open fire, which means less cutting of trees in the surrounding watershed, which in turn means more water absorbed during the rainy season and wells less likely to go dry in March, April and May, before the rains arrive

 

To see a slideshow about replacing open fires with EcoStoves, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/gringopinolero/sets/72157623468722556/
To see folks making their own EcoStove components, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/gringopinolero/sets/72157625867200710/

Summary of Project at Andres Castro

1. Comedor: Repair comedor by making new compressed earth blocks but use already made ones to erect  ½ lower wall around comedor and construct new upper wall with bamboo siding. Replace existing rotted posts with new.
2. Pump: Purchase and install new pump and repair well top made of wood. “We always need to put the “Agua” in Nicaragua.
3. School Paint: Prep and paint interior school trim and entire new pre-school
4. Swingset:  Scape and re-paint existing swingset and purchase and install new swings.
5. Fruit Trees:  Purchase and install new fruit trees.
6. Eco-Stoves:  Build some eco-stoves at Fidels factory and install others at work site
7. School Sign: Repair and beautify school sign

Other off site projects/activities:

• Factory Visit: View and work at previously built bio-sand filter factory which was re-tooled for eco-stoves
• Past Projects Visit: Visit and deliver school supplies to Ojochal and Blue and White School and also visit Barrio Holman and Amanocer
• Provide School Supplies: Visit and deliver school supplies to Kathy Knight’s Pre-school in El Oro (30 kids)
• Womens Shelter: Visit and deliver shoes and donation to womens shelter
• Mobil Book Library Donation of Books: Visit and deliver books to Mobil Book Library and enjoy reception
• Mobil Book Library Participation: Part of Group - Go out on Mobil Book Library and “work” at remote library
• Anciano’s Event: Sponsor, set up and work at Brugger Foundation’s “Anciano’s Event” (Thursday)
• Scout Future Projects and Ideas: Visit Eco Latrines - The one in Cebadilla is working so well.
• Engage Community: Hopes and Dreams conversation with locals leaders?