Winter and spring, 2003
Hans Roovers, a builder from the Netherlands, is in San Pedro de Macorís now, and has been organizing local work crews and working hard himself. In August 2002 he mobilized workers to build some of the preliminary buildings, and in February, March and April he has worked toward the other buildings. Here are excerpts from some of Hans' emails:
We have built a cisterna which contains 25,000 liters of fresh (not drinking) water. And a three-compartment septic tank of 5,000 liters.
We finished [the roof] of the multifunctional building... If Tanis has to move the school to this place in September, we have two classrooms here. It has already doors and electricity.
The American group has sent a lot of dollars, which we are very grateful for. Now we can go on building until I leave May 15.
When we finish the house of Tanis and the dining hall, we have at least as much room as the present school "building" has. So we can have five classes at one time.
If Tanis can leave the old school, the place that is rented now, he saves monthly a lot of money and we give the parents and the children a lot of confidence.
We are employing between 8 and 12 people daily and have a night watch so many families have a (little) income now from this project. A blessing!
April 2003 - Group from Maine
This group is from First Baptist Church in Bar Harbor, Maine, and consists of seven adults and eight students, ages 12 to 17. For many, this will be the first mission trip or trip outside of the United States.
We leave on Easter Sunday night, 2003, and will stay in San Pedro de Macorís for one week.
We plan to do concrete work on foundation footings and help lay block for the new pastor's house and the main kitchen.
We have also accumulated tools, electrical and building supplies, computer equipment, school supplies and used clothing to take with us.
The team has been working to raise money with bake sales, craft sales and returnable bottle drives. Churches and individuals have given generously for the project also. Rotary International and its student branch, Interact Club, have given money to dig the well.
December 2003 - Group from Pennsylvania
A group from First Baptist of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania is scheduled to arrive shortly after Christmas for a two-week medical and construction mission hosted by Colegio Moriah. This group is expected to have about 30 people.
