Framing at Murphy House

So we start with this. Clay dirt.

And in just a few short weeks, we've got a front door....way.

Not quite done yet, but well on its way!

Upstairs and downstairs, so much progress has been made.

By so many people giving of themselves and their time.

To bring a family home.

Coming together

Two of the homes we're building this summer are made of prefabricated panels (lumber and sheets of OSB already put together). We also received trusses, drywall, roofing and the lumber that makes up the floor.

They all came together on two semi's last Tuesday. The paperwork from the company delivering said to have six people ready to unload.

So we did.

But as you're probably already thinking, that's not enough!

The truck drivers just about fainted when I told them we were going to hand unload their vehicles.

While Jessica, the NCCC volunteers and I were all ready to work hard, the day was really saved by over 20 volunteers from the WYSTAR program who came, carried, smiled and managed to unload two semi's in four hours! The same it usually takes if you have a forklift!

I was amazed and ecstatic that we pulled it off, that we all came together, that we fulfilled the mission of Habitat of bringing the community together and doing it in a way that promotes affordable housing!

We have another semi to unload this Tuesday. We're getting a forklift!

Of Foundations and Water

Water at the foundation is a little different here than in Seattle.

In Seattle there's layers of gravel, drain pipes, filter fabrics and multiple other methods for keeping water away from the foundation. This is especially important in an area where on the other side of that foundation wall is a living space.

So I asked about all of that and the others said.... well... we do have to waterproof it, but we usually just coat the foundation with a layer of... foundation coating.

Water just doesn't wage the war here that it does in Seattle.

Here we'll get drain tile, we've waterproofed the foundation with a tar-ish coating, and that'll be good!

Foundation Walls of Murphy House

It's moving along. With or without me, time is moving along.

Footings

Well, it wasn't sunny yesterday, but it wasn't rainy either and that was enough!

Footings got poured this morning after a city inspection.

The soil, which is so clay-y no temporary retaining walls are necessary (on the other hole, not this two footer), dried out quickly enough to make use of our little weather window!

Trying to Move Forward

That was last weekend, so sunny and so hot you could smell the lilacs from a block away (although since they're blooming on just about every block, it could be that you're always close to them).

And this is now. And this weekend. And next week.

Soggy excavation hole for a soggy foundation.

And 10 NCCC volunteers arriving today, 4 Care-A-Vanners coming on Sunday and about 14 more the Sunday after to give us their all and build us one single family home and a duplex.

Hopefully we'll all get a break.

Expectations

I'm still getting settled in here at the new job and home, so I thought I'd provide some entertainment before your weekend.

In Nicaragua, I was often surprised at how little was considered normal. No ceiling (just a corrugated metal roof), no kitchen cabinets (no oven either), no sink in the bathroom (and no running water during most of the day).

But then I'm reminded that those things weren't always normal here either. Just after WWII a home in Levittown averaged 750 SF. I probably don't have to tell you, that's not average anymore.

subprime from beeple on Vimeo.

The Dimming of the Day

Today is my last day of work with Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos International. And so my natural instinct is to reflect on these past two years.

When I left the US, I had no real idea what I was in for, and I knew that. Now, I'm pretty sure I know what happened (although I'll know even better with some distance), and I wouldn't change that choice for anything.

I have learned, experienced and seen things I never imagined and it will shape the rest of my life.

Here's some highlights - (there are a few errors and typos which I'm not changing in the interest of an honest representation of what was said originally)

The Opening Act

Arrival in Nicaragua

Learning about the Culture

The Ball Starts Rolling (Because We're Pushing)

The Plot Thickens

Interruption of Service

House Beginnings!

Eruptions

Christmas at Casa Asis!

Construction,

Construction,

And More Construction!

A New Place

Lights

Water

A Change

A New Future

Starting the Next Group of Houses

So I guess it's a good thing I'm leaving.

As I've indicated in past posts, the direction that NPH Nicaragua seems to be going is both forward and back at the same time (I use the word 'seems' because as construction coordinator hired by NPHI to manage the construction, I'm not actually informed of construction decisions, meetings or directions by NPHI).

Since I began, I have always fielded the question 'Why doesn't NPH have a standard home that it builds in all countries?' And it's a good question. It's a question I asked too. And it's a question NPHI seems to be starting to address.

First the reasons why a standard home hasn't existed until now -

When I first began, NPHI couldn't provide me with plans of homes for 16 children it had already built in other countries. This was because either a particular country didn't have a home like that, it had lost the drawings, the drawings never existed in an official form or the leaders in that country never responded.

Also, there is desire to recognize that each country has a distinct culture, climate and history. When I began to work with the design that had been used in Bolivia to make it work well for Nicaragua, I was told we needed to find our own architect and design by NPH leadership even though with proper planning, all local factors can be taken into account with a standard building with modifications.

So, even though it isn't NPH's tradition, many of us believe the idea of standardization is still good, so why not start now?


And that's what NPHI is working on. Yay! Good forward thinking step for NPHI! (We won't mention that thousands of people already thought of it right off).

Next step? What will this standard design consist of? Well, here's model of the current idea -

Model provided by NPHI to visiting donors during the International Meeting

I'm not sure if that's the final version or not. I had been given this in plan, but then received subsequent versions. None of the revisions were translated into this new model which was brought last week by NPHI.

I'm not sure if things went backwards, or there were just more communication problems.

This design is not bad. It's actually extremely close to the modified design we had done last October from the original houses built.

Nicaragua design modification from houses at Casa Padre Wasson. While directed to make the design with architects and engineers (and already paid for), this design will not be used.

The main differences are that in the new model: there is no storage room, the caregivers' room gets lot's of natural light (even though they're supposed to be taking care of the kids, not in their room during the day), but the kids' study area doesn't and the windows area is so small that electricity will be used more for both light and fans for ventilation.

And there are probably other good ideas as well, one coworker at the office stopped by this morning and made other observances that would make him (as someone who had grown up in the home) possibly be okay with the design.

While these items can be changed to better the design, it doesn't make sense to me that we're throwing out the design we already have with these changes in order to use a design that still needs them.

I must admit, I am glad to be leaving the grid paper final drawing world of NPHI. It's fine to start with, but for a place that will house children, I really believe local licensed engineers are necessary as we had with the first four homes.

Standardized design from Honduras and the latest version I received. My guess is that this will be the next phase of home to be built. You can click on the picture to see a larger version.

For example, when we received the 'standardized' plan from NPHI, we consulted with a local engineer to get his read on it. He thought it was fine in general, but the foundation needed to be changed as the one drawn was illegal according to Nicaraguan building codes (they do have a few). None of those contracted by NPHI to built this next group of homes knew that.

Not that the detail doesn't function in general or would cause certain mayhem here (apparently it's been used in NPH homes in other countries that don't have as many earthquakes), but it's an unnecessary risk.

It may all be a moot point, however, because the last great reason for me to leave now (that happened after I gave notice), is that the word on the street (which is what I have since Marlon hasn't met with me or informed me of anything relating to construction in over a month) is that we are halting progress on the new property.

The gossip is that we will not be starting major new construction projects at Casa Padre Wasson until an understanding is reached with the national government with regards to 'Programa Amor'.

I hear that they are trying to hammer it out this week, but who knows when it will be completed, and then, even more unknown is when the next phase of construction would actually start (and if it should be started this year since we are just a few months away from the start of the rainy season).

I truly and sincerely wish the best to all the donors and the caring, hard-working people within NPHI.

It's clear that I have had my fill of frustrations in this particular locale, but the NPH mission is important.

And I believe that with enough loud and reasonable voices (many of which I have had the fortune to meet), NPHI can start to take baby steps forward without any major steps back.

The New Way

We have a new road! With the pressure from having 200 NPH staff and supporters from North, Central, South America and Europe coming to visit, we finally got approval to put in a durable, travel-able (even in bad weather!) road!

We used heavy equipment including a rolling vibration compactor! Which is not necessarily something to take for granted. Marlon had previously wanted the teenage boys to do the work by hand.

One area of the road crosses a large runoff area, so long concrete tubes have been installed so that the water can drain underneath. How professional!

It means that this road will last a long, long time. And that getting in and out of the property will not be and question. (And the International Meeting with everyone went well too from what I hear!)

Working on Friday Night

Lot's of the security walls utilize broken glass along with barbed wire to deter others from making their own entrance. So, if you feel like a beer? Hey, you're just gathering materials to secure your home!

Water Tower Re-Do

Here in Nicaragua, liability doesn't exist in the same way it does elsewhere. I've mentioned before that due to the legal system (or lack thereof) and a lack of clear communication about businesses (such as a Better Business Bureau), some people can screw you royally with very little consequence.

One example would be our topographer. He delivered drawings and plans that were incorrect, but the NPH lawyer (who wrote the contract) said we had no recourse. We couldn't get that kind of money from him personally and he didn't have a company backing him up to go after either. So we lost $3,000 for pretty much nothing.

Another potential mess happened more recently. But this situation has resolved in a vastly different way, however, because we used a company that we knew and they want to keep us as clients.

The water recycling system is fairly straightforward and includes a (relatively) small elevated tank to gravity feed water to the toilets.

We happened to be on the jobsite when the platform of the tank began to fold and broke the pipes containing the water. The structure didn't completely collapse because the legs were stronger than the platform and because the breaking of the pipes released water which reduced the weight.

Sumerinsa, the company responsible, just happened to be there as well and immediately began calling for new materials to replace the original. While I assume they're taking the funds out of the project profit, I know that they had been hoping to use that profit to shore up other jobs they still haven't been paid for (getting worked over can go either direction).

So this story has a happy ending (for NPH). All was taken care of, and now we have a really strong tank platform!

Move in day!

So it's been a little while in coming, with many false starts and many temporary visitors, but there are finally NPH pequenos living in the homes on the new property!

They're in their last years of high school and going to the public schools in the area. They're clearly still in move-in mode, but it's good to see kids using the homes!

Gray Water

This is gray water about to be recycled, am I the only one who thinks the picture is prettier when you don't know what it is?

Update: By the way, this picture starts to look prettier again (or at least advantageous) when you're on the city's system and you have been without water in the house for 24 hours.

It's less common than it used to be, but still happens with enough frequency that they don't feel a need to issue an explanation or notification of when it will be turned back on. Can you imagine if that happened in the States?!

Happy Friday!

Giving Shelter

The Team - Efrain (former NPH maintenance worker), me, Alfredo's two little girls, Carolina (Alfredo's wife), Alfredo, Daniel (NPH maintenance worker).

Alfredo is a special friend to me here in Nicaragua. More genuinely kind and friendly than most, he welcomed me to Nicaragua while I was a stranger, without knowing if I would stay or become one of the many who pass through. Here he is with his guitar singing me Happy Birthday!

He works as a gate guard/landscaper at the NPH offices making about $150 per month and until she was laid off this week, his wife worked as a caregiver at Casa Asis, the babies house.

Rebar columns and beams form the simple skeleton of the house.

Having a home has long been a dream of Alfredo and Carolina's in a country where you have to save and buy outright. Mortgages and credit are generally kept for the rich.

But as has been known here for a long time, and as we are learning in the US, there are investments more important than those you have in the bank.

Outline of Alfredo's house - the kitchen/living room is on the right/front, two bedrooms are on the left/back, and the bathroom is in the corner farthest from the camera for a total of under 500 square ft.

Alfredo and Carolina have devoted much to those around them.

And as their return, they are receiving multiple donations for their new house. Some are giving labor, some are giving a bag of cement. Virtually everyone from the office has donated something, even those who are making the same minimum income as Alfredo.

Efrain and Daniel mix concrete by hand.

Wedgwood Community Church (my home church in Seattle) has donated 16 sheets of zinc (the whole roof) and 5 steel beams for a grand total of $300.

The donation was given with such love and generosity by the small neighborhood centered church. And it was received with sincere appreciation for the fulfillment of such a basic need. I felt fortunate to watch the connection made.

Offloading the zinc from the hardware store delivery truck to a neighbors house until the walls are ready.

From everyone on the team - Thank you Wedgwood Community Church!

Alfredo continuing to earn his home.

A Prayer For Shelter

Lord, on the night you were born, there was no room in the inn.

May we remember those who do

not have a place to sleep tonight.

Jesus, you were born in a stable.

May we be builders of decent homes.

Lord, you wandered in the desert, fighting temptation.

We seek direction and your strength as we strive to do your will.

Jesus, you ministered to all those in need of decent housing.

May we work tirelessly for all those in need of decent housing.

Jesus, you came that we might have life.

We offer ourselves to be your hands and feet in the world.

God of all, give us the courage to speak out for those who have no voice.

Help us remove the obstacles that stand in the way of all our children

having a simple, decent place in which to live and grow.

Give us strength to take action.

We ask this in Jesus' name.

Amen

A Little Home Construction

Blocks for the security wall

The whole property used to belong to Roberto's grandparents, but over the years, it has been carved up as each child has built their own home.

Carmen, Roberto's mother, is developing her part of the property a bit more and putting up a 3 meter concrete block wall. It will have barbed wire and broken glass at the top with a sturdy metal door for access.

It will also have a security system named Amelia (she is a good alarm, but not much else) and (Roberto's dog) Chitrin (an alarm and the armed security guard).

Hopefully that will keep out whoever broke the lock on the back door a few nights ago trying to steal the rebar for the wall. Chitrin got a little bloodied in the process, but valiantly defended the homestead.

Future septic system of the neighbor (the hole has been there about a month so far)

One reason for the extra security is that the neighbor has a tendency to buy stolen property, so there are people coming and going into the night offering anything from electronics to construction signage. The floor of her house is made from concrete blocks that were used to pave the road out front a couple months ago.

There is also a number of drug houses in the neighborhood. They don't all sell, some of them are just runners on the long trip Columbian cocaine takes to get to the U.S.

Fortunately they all know Roberto and his mother and so they're safe (and me by association). But the addicts wandering through are a different story. The culture of it is a little different when drug houses are established families and not displaced addicts.

In the meantime, our contractor, Jose, comes most morning to work. Often, but not always, with a helper (even though unemployment rates are high, it can be tough to find someone willing to actually show up).

At the halfway point, Jose was paid the agreed upon $200 for about 7 days of work for him and his helper. He kindly signed the receipt of payment slip even though he doesn't read.

No permits or contracts were signed or even considered. In a world were no one can afford to take anyone else to court, it isn't paper that protects you.

Rebar overlooking the concrete blocks and trash burn pile

Recycled Water System

While we haven't been starting any new projects in the last few months, we are still finishing up some old ones.

Just recently completed is the water recycling system to re-use grey water.

Potable water from the main water tower is used at the sinks and showers. From there it drains away to a grey water septic tank where it is treated in the standard septic system (someday we'd like to have a second step biofilter).

Once the water is clean it gravity drains to a cistern. From the cistern, it is available to be pumped to another smaller water tower.

Once in this smaller tower, it is ready to run to the toilet the next time there is a flush.

From the flush, the water drains to a second septic tank specifically for black water. Again it is treated in a standard septic system and when clean, drains into the ground.

This particular system was designed for 14 homes which is the girls' half of NPH Nicaragua.

The Fast Way Down

The view from the top of the water tank (almost 40 ft)

Craning the Water Tank

So if you've been a reader here for a little while, you probably already know that we seem to have issues with water at the construction project. Not that we don't have water, thank goodness we do! It's just that all construction relating to water doesn't seem to go very smoothly.

Case in point. The Elevated Water Tank.

First was a long debate through several countries, over time zones and many, many opinions about how big it should be. We eventually settled on 15,000 cubic meters. Enough for a city of 500 children and their support staff, but not a lot extra.

We decided on this because once we have 500 children and everyone else, we really should have another well in case something happens to the first one, like the pump breaking down.

So the well itself took a loooooooong time.

And the elevated water tank was supposed to be finished in 45 days (according to the lovely Microsoft Project timeline put together by the company), the end date falling at the beginning of September.

Well that didn't exactly happen.

First it was stuck at the border (it's parts were fabricated in Honduras, it would be like having an international border for everything manufactured outside of Washington state.

Then that delay caused us to be in the middle of the worse part of the rainy season when they were trying to solder. And last, but not least, the crane came out, put up the support structure, and proceeded to get stuck in the mud so that it couldn't life the tank.

We have, however, reached that happy day where weather related delays are behind us (both because most of those activities are done and because the weather is starting to get nicer.

And, while it's been a somewhat stressful time since the first children move from the island in a month and a half, the company, Imnsa Argo, has been responsive to all our concerns and good to work with. Phew!

So now we're onto the next stage! We're currently working for approval from NPH International to begin the next phase of 3 or 4 houses!

Electric Avenue II

Looking from the beginnings of our elevated water tank, you can still see the temporary electrical line to the right stretching to the homes in the distance

As you may remember from the original "Electric Avenue'' post, our electrical network left a lot to be desired, but functioned (most of the time). BUT... it was still time to get another system going.

Crane installing one of the several 9 meter concrete light poles trucked in from El Salvador (apparently the place to go for quality light poles)

So we've gone and gotten ourselves a primary network which will actually support the whole home of 500 kids and even more staff someday!

Permanent medium tension electrical on the left, temporary electrical pinned to the palm tree on the right.

The final pieces are being put together with a visit from Union Fenosa in the works before it will be energized. But we're excited to be on the cusp of having electricity in the home like normal people!

Isn't it beautiful? Ok, honestly, yes, underground system would have been better. But if we'd gone with that, we couldn't afford to build houses, so.... it's worth it.

And the gardens have been started as well. These are flowers in front of the concrete wall of a house.