Getting it Done!

Getting it done...

Well the last couple of days have seen advances on all fronts, especially on the smaller projects needing some time and attention.   I'm still working on the badges, but its getting close (got enough laminating pouches?  Nearest refills-Miami)... and identifying keys is still a priority, we've got hundreds here and have identified most, can't seem to locate the key for the huge lock on the big container in the yard temporarily storing a commercial kitchen and other items for the Technical School.  Well, a huge cutting torch may come in handy if it doesn't show up...

The women, Olive and Cathy, are still working on the kitchen, putting it back together after a major, spring overhaul, cleaning and reorganization of just about everything.  They ended up finding quite a few useful items like casseroles and cooking pots, as well as not so useful ones, like three crock pots which because the power here is almost always guaranteed not to work for a full day are rendered useless.  In addition they’ve washed and scrubbed, the place smells better and we even got a comment that the chicken noodle soup at lunch was better than ever, because we were sure everything was a bit cleaner than the day before!  

I’m not so sure that the kitchen staff was on board with the changes, after all, WHAT woman is happy when someone comes in and not so subtly says your kitchen isn’t quite up to muster?  No one that I know, but in the end, Lucianna, Mme Atis and Souer Luc came around and joined in on the update, helping on the reorgnization.  There’s nothing like a lot of sweat equity and getting in there and getting your hands dirty, along with encouraging words to change a reluctant heart.  In the end Mme Atis gave Cathy a 10 out of 10!  and Lucianna opened her drink cooler (a side business) and sprang for a free drink on her!  Cathy and Olive were quite pleased with themselves too, and rightfully so.

On another front Ken got busy repairing broken chairs and dilapidated furniture at Marc & Lisa’s, trying to keep things going for a bit longer, though finding it a challenge not having a full set of tools and two different work locations.  I think this is going to be an ongoing project...  Kind of depressing also, not for me but Lisa especially, giving up so much to be here and serve, making due with a bunch of cast-offs and smiling all the way, except those odd glimpses you see past the warm smile... Jesus does provide all our needs, a new stove or furniture that's not broken to start... is that too much to ask?  Sorry Lisa, I'm "venting" here, not meaning to cast aspersions on your terrific attitudes...

I had a good day, a very good day, spending most of it in a revamped office with a properly elevated desk (the right height at least), a higher chair, and sweet sounds from the Bose Bluetooth speaker I brought down.  Geann, the secretary across the hall, loved the music, as well as Marc and several others who popped their heads in, which was rewarding and seemed to really brighten their days as well.  Since I also moved the desk just in front of the AC, whatever chill was required from the unit was also nice.  Sweet!  Roy, affectionately known as "Papa Noel" also moved to an office where he can manage the project drawings, and it looks like Lisa may be getting a new desk and office chair on an upcoming trip into Port Au Prince, a necessity as daily sore neck, shoulders and occasional headaches with her current child's desk and short chair isn't doing anyone any favors.

Outside, after we got water replenished, the Room 202 AC unit was pulled for repairs and I confirmed we had adequate  diesel and gasoline for projects, and no new materials were required for the moment I really didn’t have much to do.  So besides the occasional walk about to oversee activities and take a few pics it was quiet.  I was quiet, the site is buzzing.  The Technical School is coming along nicely, with about a third of the block walls in place, door and window frames showing up and motor repairs to equipment underway.  Well, I should say one of the cement mixers is in a state of tear down, needing a carb job and hopefully the mechanic can find the right tools and parts in the next day or so... he buzzed out of here on his motorbike muttering about some more tools earlier.  

Roy, the project manager is having some issues with quality control and getting the Haitians to do it his (the right) way versus the way they always do it in Haiti.  For all of you who’ve been or are coming this is pretty much a normal state of affairs and very stressful and frustrating.  A few conferences later, threats of no work and patient explanations and we’ll see if things change.  It didn’t work today for Roy.  Not sure what’s going to have to be redone, if anything...

At the clinic holes are dug for the fence and materials arrived for welding, so that should be proceeding apace.  Its really amazing some of the intricate work produced from just three types of base material, square tubes, flat metal sheets and thin straps.  Once the doors are made up we’ll smash 4 holes through the outer walls and install them in their assigned places.  A full medical team is arriving in March so we’re targeting for a full opening then, with a fair bit of work to go.

It is interesting to note the varying responses from Haitians as I get to know some of them.  On a walk-about now its either “Mr. Blanco”, “Mr. Big Boss” {better than “the fat guy” the first week...):} or “Yo da man”... depending on who’s replying.  It has been great actually starting to build relationships with some of these guys.  You actually start to feel a bit like this is a home away from home.  Besides the music, which she’d love some copies of, Geann from the office even asked a few questions today and got me to fix her frozen computer (a PC, what can I say...) . 

Yes, today WAS for the most part a good day (at least for me), and tomorrow’s even better.  We depart just after breakfast at 0700hrs for a day trip up and over the mountains then down to the south coast to what was previously known as the “Pearl of the Caribbean”, the city of Jacmel.  Can’t wait!