When we arrived at 7:45 this morning, the masons had just laid the rebar cages into the brick molds (see the upright bricks in the photo below). At that early hour the temperature was around 27C with lots of shade. So a decent working temperature compared to what we’ve experienced this week.
We immediately set out move all the dirt that had been excavated for the foundation back into the centre of the house as this will provide support for the floors once the concrete is poured.
As a little symbolic gesture to the Acostas we placed a loonie in the foundation. They in turn put a 1000 guarani coin mext to it. One of our volunteers drew a Canadian flag in the wet mortar. Once the front door frame is installed these little symbols will be forever buried from view.
I continued to dig the latrine pit which was a very slow and hot process. By 11:00 the heat was 34C, the sun was out in full and there was very little shade to take refuge in.
The photo below gives you an idea how much dirt and clay had to be removed for the latrine pit.
Today was our last full day of work for the week. Tomorrow we will work the morning and have our farewell lunch with the family. It will be the next group of volunteer builders who will get to complete the house and hand over the key to the family.
sedativegunk 