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In between finishing up a hectic quarter where I am in Bolivia and preparing for a family trip to Macchu Picchu, I've struggled to keep up with the news from Kimbondo. But the general word from Madlen is that the work on the bathrooms is progressing at a good pace and that they could possibly be open for "business" within a couple of weeks.
To recap the general state of affairs, our last update from Lantern Projects had us at $14,578. I've also just received word that a donor from Ireland has sent $2,000 directly to Madlen in the Congo, meaning that our new total is...
I could get ahead of myself and let on that I have reason to believe that the total is soon to top $20,000. A theater company in Austin is talking to us about putting on a benefit performance. And we also know of $3,000 that has been promised, but not yet received; so it's best not to count the proverbial chickens before the equally proverbially hatching.
Madlen and Dean are promising a full financial accounting this weekend. We do know that there have been a few additional expenses, some incurred by choice, some foisted upon us. The choices involve an industrial strength washing machine and turning the dining hall from a dungeon into a palace. (I exaggerate here quite a bit, of course. But I was charmed to learn that the residents refer to last year's new bedrooms as "La Maison Blanche"--"The White House.") The foisting comes courtesy of the precarious nature of the Congolese franc and the unexpected (and unwelcome...and unpleasant, I'm sure) need to transport three huge truckloads of sewage accumulated over the decades to a place where it could be safely disposed of.
Until I receive the financial accounting, I can only say that the bathrooms are safely funded and that we are able to move on to renovating the older sleeping quarters. That job is expected to cost about $12,000 if we do it as we want to do it, and about half that amount if we need to settle for something less grandiose (but still very useful).
Until then, I'll leave you with the latest photos, a series of Befores (on the left) and Afters (on the right).
These first two show some work completed using last year's funds. The area around Foyer House consisted of dirt. In and of itself, this wasn't a problem, but as most Kimbondo residents don't wear shoes regularly, this let to a horrible parasite entering the feet of many residents. The new patio protects against this and also gives the kids a more comfortable area to sit, to study to play.
Still waiting on the sink installation. But it should be clear that once
that happens and the final touches are completed, this will be a lot
more pleasant.
Old shower area and new. Hoping to have the pipes for the showers
installed by the first of the month.
The toilets a month ago and the toilets today. 'nuff said.
No before here. But the dining hall was long a crumbling black
cement floor and the walls hadn't been painted since...well, in a
bloody long time. It not only looks much nicer and (I'm told)
now boasts a fresh, clean smell, but in between meal times is
converted into a sanitary and comfortable study area.
We'll have the updated financial report to you as quickly as we can and, ideally, some new photographs of the, even more ideally, fully-functional new bathrooms. We will also be providing a look at the work yet to be funded--the renovation of the old bedrooms.
In between finishing up a hectic quarter where I am in Bolivia and preparing for a family trip to Macchu Picchu, I've struggled to keep up with the news from Kimbondo. But the general word from Madlen is that the work on the bathrooms is progressing at a good pace and that they could possibly be open for "business" within a couple of weeks.
To recap the general state of affairs, our last update from Lantern Projects had us at $14,578. I've also just received word that a donor from Ireland has sent $2,000 directly to Madlen in the Congo, meaning that our new total is...
I could get ahead of myself and let on that I have reason to believe that the total is soon to top $20,000. A theater company in Austin is talking to us about putting on a benefit performance. And we also know of $3,000 that has been promised, but not yet received; so it's best not to count the proverbial chickens before the equally proverbially hatching.
Madlen and Dean are promising a full financial accounting this weekend. We do know that there have been a few additional expenses, some incurred by choice, some foisted upon us. The choices involve an industrial strength washing machine and turning the dining hall from a dungeon into a palace. (I exaggerate here quite a bit, of course. But I was charmed to learn that the residents refer to last year's new bedrooms as "La Maison Blanche"--"The White House.") The foisting comes courtesy of the precarious nature of the Congolese franc and the unexpected (and unwelcome...and unpleasant, I'm sure) need to transport three huge truckloads of sewage accumulated over the decades to a place where it could be safely disposed of.
Until I receive the financial accounting, I can only say that the bathrooms are safely funded and that we are able to move on to renovating the older sleeping quarters. That job is expected to cost about $12,000 if we do it as we want to do it, and about half that amount if we need to settle for something less grandiose (but still very useful).
Until then, I'll leave you with the latest photos, a series of Befores (on the left) and Afters (on the right).
These first two show some work completed using last year's funds. The area around Foyer House consisted of dirt. In and of itself, this wasn't a problem, but as most Kimbondo residents don't wear shoes regularly, this let to a horrible parasite entering the feet of many residents. The new patio protects against this and also gives the kids a more comfortable area to sit, to study to play.
that happens and the final touches are completed, this will be a lot
more pleasant.
Old shower area and new. Hoping to have the pipes for the showers
installed by the first of the month.
The toilets a month ago and the toilets today. 'nuff said.
No before here. But the dining hall was long a crumbling black
cement floor and the walls hadn't been painted since...well, in a
bloody long time. It not only looks much nicer and (I'm told)
now boasts a fresh, clean smell, but in between meal times is
converted into a sanitary and comfortable study area.
We'll have the updated financial report to you as quickly as we can and, ideally, some new photographs of the, even more ideally, fully-functional new bathrooms. We will also be providing a look at the work yet to be funded--the renovation of the old bedrooms.
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