(Note from Doug: This entry should be the third from the end, between Friday, October 25 and Wednesday, October 24, but this Blog tool doesn't allow me to change the order)
We were reminded this morning that "the best laid plans of mice o men gang aft agley" when our IT partner was not able to deliver to us the dozen laptop computers with software installed and operational. He had experienced a few more challenges than he had anticipated and wouldn’t be able to get them to us until tomorrow morning. Our plan to check them all out and get them ready to provide to the schools has had to be put off for a day. Oh well.
Since our plan is to provide two of the solar power systems to two other small schools in the area, we took the time this morning to visit them. The first, Institue Mixte Foyerdivan, is located just East of Arcahaie at a Church of Christ. Currently there are 4 classrooms of about 15-20 children in each class housed in a wooden shelter with canvass walls. In addition, a preschool is located
next to the church in a lean-to classroom. We will provide them their first opportunity to work with computers, as well as have a supply of safe drinking water. Their water comes from an open irrigation ditch that is unfortunately used for drinking-water and to clean everything from people, clothes, and even motor bikes. As is typical in Haiti, the children were dressed in their school uniforms and were very attentive to the teachers.
The second school is directed by our long-time acquaintance and cohort at Thomas, Jean-Claude. His school is located at what seemed like a 3 mile hike up the mountain away. The path is too rough even for most tap-taps.
It currently uses a mixture of concrete block buildings and lean-to type classrooms on a location high up in the hills. Hence the need here also for the water purifier. The nearest water source is, again, an open irrigation ditch and is about 1 mile away.
After lunch Zac and Doug set about installing the solar array and associated electronics in the wooden box and doing a few mods to the metal carts.
Since the array and box were different sizes than the prototype built back home, it took a bit of head scratching to make everything work out right. We left for tomorrow the task of making up the wires and then integrating the electronics into a working system. We hope to have this first unit working by noon and busily charging its battery all afternoon.
Steve went through the voluminous education material as well as clothes that he had brought for the children with James so that he could later utilize the computer software as well as be able to distribute the clothes.
Warren is to bid us farewell tomorrow morning and head back to California. He had been here for several weeks and had achieved his goal of getting the solar power system carts and wooden drawers built. In anticipation of his departure, the cooking staff went out of their way and baked him (well, us) a wonderful cake, served with ice cold soda. What a treat.
Tonight’s discussions centered on each of us defining when we felt Half Time occurred/will occur in our own lives.
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