Adam is arriving
As the construction project continues Adam Boe will be joining our team to take over the position as Construction manager as my time in northern comes to an end.
The foundation for the Health Center is coming to completion. The base of the concrete floor is a layer of medium sized stones laid out flat side up. This is a very labor intensive task, as the stones are split by hand (with a sledge hammer) and installed one by one in the compacted dirt backfilling. The voids between the stones are blinded with sand. As the blinding has been finished today we began pouring the concrete floor.
I recently had a chance to visit the quarry from where we have been purchasing the gravel. The conditions of the workers are brutal. They remind me of scene from the movie "Les Miserables" where Jean Valjean is working in the quarry. Breaking stones without machinery. With hammers and chisels. Woman bring their children to work because child care is not there. Fires are made on the stone to bake it as it is to hard to break without cooking it first. It is heart wrenching to see the conditions the people endure, day after day after day under the African sun, for a few dollars per day (not per hour).
The definition of gainful employment varies from region to region, however human rights don't.
More pictures coming soon.
Prayer requests:
-Peace and unity between our workers as recently two of them tried to have a fist fight.
-Smooth transition for Adam Boe. He has spent many months in Africa before, however the transition from Jersey to Adak is still ... extreme.
-GUTS trip from TTW we have visiting. For the effectiveness of their ministry while in Adak. Health and safe traveling.
-Well drilling situation.
-Overall safety of the construction project for the workers.