Foyer de Sion -- Update

January 20th, my dad took two other men and left for Haiti, returning on the 31st.  They had a long list of project they wanted to accomplish.  They were told that the shipping containers, which held all the supplies would arrive before the 18th.  They never did make it, so they did as much prep work as they could and completing the concrete sealer on the exterior and interior.

My dad took climbing gear (after having had an impromptu lesson at his house just days before leaving) to paint paint the exterior.  Since the paint was in the shipment containers, they practiced their climbing skills just putting on the primer.  They certainly did the best they could with what they had.

( We've come a long way! )

Before Christmas, my dad had taken some tools down and they were able to cut in the gas line for the two gas ranges that were donated.  They too, will arrive in the shipment containers.  The tile crews have been back to work, as more money was raised to complete the floor on the first, second and part of the third floor.  It should be mostly complete by the end of next week and it has made a tremendous difference in the building.  It feels very close to being finished!

The iron workers have been busy installing railings and security doors, and should be installing the iron work in the windows on the third floor by next week.  We have all but $10,000 to complete all iron work.  In addition to that, we still need $21,780 to finish bathrooms and other miscellaneous work.  My dad is hopefully to have these funds raised within a week or two.  If they are successful, they will be able to keep workers on-site until the orphanage is completed.

If money can be raised, we are on schedule to have the building completed by the end of February.  At that point, my dad will return with a team to complete the following:

• Install plexi-glass panels on the roof
• Install solar array
• Install gas line in kitchen
• Paint the exterior
• Install the water line from the well to the building
• Install sinks and toilets

While completing these project, we will also have people moving in the furnishings, assembling and installing.  Volunteer groups go down looking for things to do, so we left the interior painting unfinished, as it would provide projects for them to finish.  One group started painting a couple of rooms while we were there, and another will arrive sometime this month.  

Every contribution, large or small, has been greatly appreciated and put to good use.  If you are able, we encourage you to continue donations to help us meet our goal of completion by the end of February.