We have all been working super hard. Hauling uphill a 1/4 mile at least 100 pounds of rocks and bags of sand by hand (or as I learned today, balancing on my head) and mixing concrete by hand. All of the women in the community have been showing off to us how strong they are and seem to have competitions to see who can carry the heaviest load. I saw a 70 year old woman balance 100 pounds of sand on her head walking uphill and didn’t even break a sweat. Amazing people  here in La Chiripa!

We finished pouring the foundation for one house today and will start on the second tomorrow and will also
build a retaining wall. We finally got all of our materials including the rainwater tanks and so we are still on schedule. We had planned on a 6000 liter tank at each house but because of the lot sizes  and other logistical nightmares we had to go with two 2,500 liter tanks at each property. Getting the rocks, sand and gravel to each house has proven to be the hardest part of the trip…where’s a home depot when you need one ?

We are all a little dirty and smelly but well fed and happy. We are having a lot of laughs and learning all kinds of new things about each other and about the community…it’s truly been a great experience.

We will send photos and more updates as we can.”

Paula and the El Salvador team

“We are doing good. Staying in a small town called El Marquezed about 10 minutes from La Chiripa. We prepped two homes for concrete foundations today and the whole community came out to help. It was really fantastic! We will be pouring concrete and repairing roofs tomorrow and installing the new tanks Thursday. Making progress even though it’s been raining a lot.

We are all healthy happy and really excited about the project.

We will keep you all posted!”

“We wanted to let everyone know we made it safely to El Salvador. We are in Puerto Libertad and had dinner next to the ocean watching a magnificent thunderstorm roll in. Breathtaking views. The rain is definitely cooling it down a little…feels like its going to be hot and humid tomorrow though.

We met Gus (our other team member) here and will be heading out tomorrow morning to pick up the remaining team members from the airport…then headed to La Chiripa. We most likely won’t have access to wifi like we do now but promise to check in as often as possible.”

The shift is from 8:15 am – 3:30 pm with a 30-minute lunch break from 11:30 am – noon.  Please bring your own lunch.  Tools, gloves and materials will be provided.

We are opening up the project to volunteers on Tuesday, July 19 and it will close on Wednesday, September 14 if all goes as planned.  You may volunteer for one day or more but we ask that you commit to the entire shift (8:15 am – 3:30 pm).

If you would like to volunteer for this project, please go to Volunteer Up and sign up for the project, which is now on the schedule.

Also, if you have any questions and would like to know more about our company from an insider please feel free to contact Amanda Beam by phone or email.

Amanda Beam
Hydrogeologist
Hargis + Associates, Inc.
9171 Towne Centre Drive, Suite 375
San Diego, California 92122
ph: 858-455-6500 ext. 145
cell: 619-254-8749
fax: 858-410-7440
abeam@hargis.com