A Nicaraguan home for 5

This is what a home looks like after we’ve finished a roof. These homes cost our organization $3,000 each — much more now that gas prices have risen. Many of the materials are transported from the capital. To qualify for one of these homes, the family must have 5 or more people, be willing to work a set number of hours on the house and other homes in the community, place the title in the woman’s name (to prevent the home from being sold by the husband) and they must make a small financial contribution. Keeping this house in mind, we helped put a tile roof on a home just down the hill.

Tiles, pre-paint.

The tiles, pre-painting.

Roofer

The roofing, pre-tiles. Our volunteer welder puts up the rebar that will hold each of the tiles. For this, spot welding is commonly used. He did a great job.

Volunteers painting tile

Our volunteers painting the tiles (gasoline, just out of the photo.)

Juan, working on his roof

Juan, the owner of this home. He and his wife will move out of his parent’s home next door once his home is completed.

Handing up the painted tiles, one by one

Handing the tiles up, one by one.

You wouldn’t guess that process would take several days, but my goodness work takes a long time in the humid heat. A few other work-shots:

Our volunteers at work

Digging ditches for a water project. This project runs PVC pipes from a central well to more than 60 homes. Each family pays $2 a month to help maintain the well pump. They also much put in a certain amount of time in the project, digging ditches and setting the lines.

The cutest helper by far

The cutest laborer, by far.

~K