Bathroom Project Nearing Completion at La Cruz Elementary School Jennifer Brinckmann - Amigos de La Cruz | |
February 21, 2013 |
At the Amigos de La Cruz Business Meeting, Amigo John Moss gave the following presentation. If you don't know John, you should. He has been "The Man" for the building of the bathrooms at the La Cruz elementary school from the beginning and he has stayed with it to the end, which is ever so close.
Without John's dedication to this project who knows where it would be now. We hope our readers can help John to get it wrapped up or at the very least give him a huge show of gratitude for the many hours he has devoted to providing the kids with a new, working bathroom.
"Last year, in the spring, a director of the local elementary school requested help to provide additional toilet facilities at the elementary school. Members of this group, and others, accepted the challenge and tonight I wish to tell you of how and what is accomplished to date.
A design was resolved with various meetings at the school and with individuals. The director solicited and received approvals from the authorities in Valle. Foundation work was initiated in July of last year.
Since then we have completed the perimeter walls, placed under slab plumbing lines, placed the interior floor slab, added interior partitions, and completed the concrete roof structure, which is now finished with a clay tile roof and ceramic tile trim.
Most recently we have added the individual toilet partitions and have stuccoed the exterior blocks. Additional interior finishes are currently underway. Exterior doors will be installed this week.
These things have been accomplished with funds solicited; from individual donations, special events held for the purposes of the school, and materials solicited from local companies and individuals. The work has moved slowly, progressing only when we have had the funds to pay for materials and labor.
Sand and gravel needed for concrete, mortar, and stucco has been donated by the local authorities here in La Cruz. A major portion of the cement needed for concrete has been donated by local authorities.
The concrete block for walls and partitions was purchased at a significant discount from the plant just across the river in Jalisco, near the federal police station. We were allowed to select from their storage yard, from materials which had chips or breaks, but fine for our use. In a couple of instances we needed a small load of blocks to finish a task and the plant allowed us to come back for an additional load at no charge. The conditions; we provide our own trucks and all of the labor required to load the trucks, which we did.
Recently a new sewer line was being added at the school. Conversations were made with the construction crew and we had our building tied into that line, for gratias.
Currently ceramic tile for the floors and walls is purchased and stored, ready for installation. A tanaka and a lift pump for the water system is promised for donation, but not yet delivered. Perusing bazaars in and around Mescales and San Vicente, we found and purchased, at major discounts, toilets and lavatories. These are stored and ready for installation.
When it has been necessary to purchase additional supplies, we have made the majority of those purchases from the ferreterias (hardware stores) here in la Cruz.
Now we are close to building completion. The following broad group of items is left to accomplish:
• Exterior door installation
• Install and collect plumbing
• Ceramic tile flooring and wainscot installation
• Electrical installation of light and power
• Application of interior and exterior paint
• Install tanaka and pump
• Place concrete walks to connect the building to other walks
We estimate the funds needed to complete the work to be approximately 63,000 pesos, or $5,000 dollars.
I am not here tonight to request funds from AMIGOS DE LA CRUZ. This group and other groups and many individuals have contributed freely. I am here to ask that you spread word to individuals who may be unaware of this task, or who know of it, but may not have been able to contribute previously. We need a few new donors to help complete the building.
Thank you for your donations and the time tonight to hear this plea."
To make a donation, visit Amigos de La Cruz. For more information, email Jennifer.
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