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Wrapping up the Work

As our time on the jobsite dwindled to the last couple of days, the last of the CMU block was laid. Our team spent much of the morning on the fourth working day mixing and pouring concrete into the cells. In the afternoon, we formed up the columns, including making taper ties out of wire, putting boards up, and threading the wires through the boards. After the forms were set, the teams poured in the concrete. We got about 80% complete.

The day wasn’t all work. We enjoyed chatting and interacting with the local crew, who were appreciative and pleased with our work. At the day’s end, our team crashed from exhaustion after carrying concrete buckets all day.

On our final day of work on Saturday, we finished pouring the last of the concrete for the columns for the retaining wall. We also helped move the remaining CMU block to the next location where the local contractors will be working. Our team worked hard and even finished our project a half-day early.

Seeing the last bucket of concrete poured was such a happy and proud moment for our team! We are thrilled to make such a difference for Hope For Home.

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Exploring Local Culture

With the work at Hope For Home complete, the team got some much-needed rest before we were picked up at 9:15 a.m. to head to a church service on the campus. We loved meeting members of the church and more family members of the Hope For Home founder, Daryl. It was a nice morning to experience the local culture and enjoy coffee together.

Next was a lunch of tamales provided by Jeremiah, one of the founders’ sons. After lunch, the team headed into the market in downtown Antigua with Jeremiah and his wife. We were able to watch as residents participated in a procession through the town for a parade. It was a great day of connection and culture!

Our team will enjoy a few more days bonding together and with the local staff and children before heading home on March 11.Ìý