New storey on top of the main building
Reto Blattmann, Sepp and Erwin Annen, Helmut and Samuel Zurbuchen traveled on the first of February, together with Luisa and Paul Scarpatetti, to San Pedro Sula with a mission on their minds. Within only 3 weeks, they wanted to build a new storey on top of our main building. This project has been funded by our board member Gerard van Kesteren and the construction firm Strüby AG from Seewen Switzerland did the planning for this large-scale project.The construction was done by the Swiss professionals and one local crane operator whereas Reto, the project manager, had the lead. He was also the one who drew all the sketches which enabled the experts to design the final plans. On the first day, the crew covered the 35 / 13 meter surface of the building which was necessary to be properly prepared for the wooden elements which were soon to arrive. The specialist were ready to get started, unfortunately did the seven containers only get delivered on day three. But once the material arrived they were ready to put one wooden piece on the other with a speed and precision, hardly ever seen before. Working hand in hand lead up to a 2nd storey only after one week of work. It was astonishing to see how fast and professional the work was done. The modular building system is remarkable, especially the bathroom modules left us speechless. Those boxes have been custom-made in Switzerland respecting all our needs in regards to the set up of the sinks, toilets and showers. Once they built the outer wall, they only put them in place almost ready to be used. At the end, the crew even painted the new storey. The only thing left to do are the electrical installations and hooking up the sanitary installations to the pipelines. The inauguration ceremony will follow in June.
All of us are overwhelmed with the new wooden storey and very thankful fort he luxury it brings with it! It means we have now a large scaled hall to hold our events, a big computer room and eight more dorms. This project is an grand success and at this place I would like to say thank from the bottom of our hearts to Gerard, for his generosity and visionary thinking. Furthermore goes a big thank you to our crew of seven hardworking helpers from Switzerland, you are true heroes.
Fun at the water park
On a warm Sunday did the grandparents Luisa and Paul surprise all the children with a trip to the water park. The children were really happy when they found out that all the Swiss visitors joined in. The refreshment was a pleasant change and the children took advantage of their new friends and kept playing with them in the different pools until dawn hit us. It was a wonderful day filled with joy and laughter.
Back to school
At the same time as all the construction went on, the children had to get ready for school again, after a long break. Our children are in all classes of the private salesian none’s school Laura Vicuña represented: 4 in kindergarten, 1 in introductory class, 5 in first grade, 5 in second grade, 2 in third grade, 3 in fourth grade, 1 in fifth grade und 5 in sixth grade. The high school students go to an other private none’s school called Madre Maria Luisa. 9 of our children are in level one, 1 in level two and 1 in level three. This year the government changed the timetable of the schools. Now the introductory class goes to school from 7h00 – 12h00, the elementary from 7h00 – 13h00 the high school from 6h40 – 13h30. For us it means that the children have to bring a long one proper meal. Our cooks have to weak up now at 3h30 in the morning to prepare for each student some baleadas, plato tipico ect.
After they return to the childrens home they have to do all their homework until 17h00. It leaves them now with much less time to play and we noticed that they appreciate much more the weekends where they can sleep in and go back tot he role oft he „playing child“.
New children
End of last month we welcomed the brothers José Martin (12 years) and Jesus Humberto (10 years) to our big family. They lived in extremely complicated family circumstances, which actually wouldn’t be reason enough to put them in to a children’s home. It became evident though, that a criminal gang wants to oblige them to become a active members. This had the government reacting and they finally ended up with us. They have five more siblings. The older sister sells Tortillas, two live with their mother but depend completely on their selves, one lives with his father and one was given away. Both of them felt home right when they stepped through the gate. A good example is Jesus, he was always a bed-wetter at home. His father is a severe alcohol addict and the children were forced to keep the doors open, for their dad, while they went to bed because he came home drunk very late. Here in the children’s home they receive a secure place to live, stability and a family. After a very short time Jesus stayed dry during night. José goes to fifth grade and Jesus to third grade. Due to he lack of stimulation during their childhood, they miss a lot of basic knowledge. Nonetheless, am I hopeful that the two of them can catch up thanks to our tutoring at the „yo quiero ser...”.
Chikungunyafever
At the time Honduras fights against the Chikungunyafever which is a tropical infection disease transmitted by mosquitos. The children’s home was not being spared and 90% of all the children and employees suffered under the typical symptoms alike high fever and joint pain. Because of ist symptoms the people call it there the fever oft the „hunched man“. All the affected patients suffered unisono from rapidly increasing fever, heavy joint pains and walking upright was no more possible. The fever usually lasted for few days only but the muscle and limb pain, the swelling of the lymph nods, the skin irritations and the state of exhaustion kept them in bed for quite some time. Luckily no long-term damages are known.
Newsletter February 2015
