CONSTRUCTION: DAY 7

 

This is our last full day in Bolivia. The final push is on and off the project site. We have a few other small objectives to accomplish today in addition to the septic system.

 

The toilet house is getting close now. Walls nearly finished, roof braces going on...we can almost hear the toilets flushing.

 

 

The team dreams up a little bonus project -- clean up the area around the water faucet (formerly a mud pit). Ken and Dave layout a brick patio after bracing the water faucet pipe.

 

 

Beth and Kurt finish the pipework in the septic tank, here the baffle.

 

 

Over lunch, our quickly impending departure starts to become real. Photos become increasingly important. Laura and Erman share a moment here.

 

The kids finally stopped kicking Ryu long enough for a photo.

 

 

 

Bianca and Beth.

 

 

Back at the site, Kurt and Sara say goodbye (for now). Sara has been immensely helpful as a local guide and translator when needed and quickly became a hard-working member of EWB - Michigan Tech/Santa Cruz.

 

It takes many hands to hoist one of the four septic lid panels. After dirt and brick remnants are removed, the panels needed to be moved atop the septic tank.

 

Taking a cue from eons of universal practice, logs are used to convey these heavy objects into place. Did they do this on Easter Island?

 

 

The water faucet project is finished!

 

Native flowering plants to be planted on the septic drain field. A touch of color, as waste is turned into something beautiful.

 

Caps for the maintenance ports on the septic tank lids. The PVC will be cut off after curing leaving a giant concrete "mushroom" which, when inverted from their current position can be inserted into the hole in each panel.

 

 

Ryu and Brandon hoist the third panel into position.

 

 

The toilet house with door frames going into place, walls finished, roof awaiting cross beams and clay tiles. Toilets, sinks, and stucco will be added next, as will a one meter deep front porch. Oh-so-close to finished. Not bad for a completely onsite design -- concept to construction.

 

 

Septic tank is finished! Panels are in place and sealed. A little dirt will be added to bury the panels.

 

 

Chicho presents the team with a marble plaque to be affixed to the toilet house: "En Memoria de Danielle Ladwig". It's a very touching moment for all involved.

 

 

The last project site photo: the team posing in front of the nearly complete toilet house.

 

 

Our work on the project comes to an end. The locals will finish up the final details in the next couple days, according to a plan we layout together. 100% of the pre-planned work has been finished. In addition, we built a toilet house (unplanned prior to arrival onsite) and added a few special touches (water faucet pad and native flowers on the drain field). The project workflow went immensely well, Bolivians and Americans working hard toward a common goal to make a little school at the fringe of Santa Cruz a little better for the kids of the barrio.

 

 

 

Our work is over, but our night is not. The barrio turns out in force to thank us with a fiesta on the front step of the school.

 

Mauricio leads off with some kind words.

 

 

The dancing gets bi-cultural.

 

The kids show us a few dance moves.

 

 

 

Birthday girl Laura is a (boy) crowd favorite.

 

 

Back at The Ranch, many of our friends throw a birthday party for Laura (Happy 20th in Bolivia!). Complete with cake, singing and dancing. Most of us agreed, it couldn't get much better.

 

After the party, the team dispensed a few special gifts to a few of our most special friends. Here, Erman is overwhelmed at the stream of gifts from Laura.

 

 

Brandon gives the best gift.

 

 

 

The hour is late by the end of the partying. The team is tired, but on an emotional high, we are off to pack our things. Some of us sit out late taking in the southern hemisphere stars amidst the warm summery air. Departure draws close.