This is before, an open-air tent and concrete floor...
Chris Wright, one of our best customers - he donated to help build the preschool. Thank you for your donation and time, Mr. Chris!
We have a situation. Plot #2 will host two classrooms - a Telugu-always "bridge" classroom, and another class (maybe the preschool). The locals seem to think we're illegally building. The Police are called in, Ramesh Kumar - Deputy Police Inspector - is on the job.
Ramesh talks down some "frontwomen" for the local political group
They were good actresses
Ramesh looks over the paperwork. He decides there is no reason for them to fight us for this plot.
So we started busting up rocks.
And measuring the plot
We're really happy!
And our "neighbors" moved out.
Then we have a party busting rocks.
And doing more measuring
and more
etc.
This measure was taken in front of "Budmas #2" - one of the two huge rocks that stand in the way of constructing a proper building. We only need two classrooms, so we'll build around them. We're making plans to kick them down the hill, but not yet (funding/time, etc.).
Ok, so there are three big rocks, "Budmas #3" is in the background.
Rock busting
Day four, laying the foundation work.
The MRO Rama Mani comes. Seems the A.P. Tourism people want to put in a 3 Star Hotel and need a service road.
Easily solved... and it looks like this is our last scare. Construction is going full-tilt.
GO MASONS!
Laying the foundation - using some locally produced rocks.
mix that cement.
Need more bricks
Classroom #7 is the one farthest back (up a level) and classroom #8 is in the front. They will hold about 40 small children, each. So we'll put preschool and the bridge school in here.
Ah, now you can see "Budmas #1," the big rock on the right. He's enormous, we estimate 50,000 rs to bust up this one by hand. Much less cost if we get a blasting permit ... who knows!
One of two windows, the rest are blocked by the huge boulders.
step up to classroom #7 (in the foreground). This is the seventh of eight classrooms - 6 on Plot #1, 2 on Plot #2
10 bricker per customer
The door is framed up.
This is the group of good citizens trying to stop our building. They were misinformed about the plot lines. Despite the police, revenue officers, and others, they just wouldn't let it go. So even on day 7, we're still dealing with this.
More masonry going up with our project supervisor, Krishna, in the Google hat.
Day 10 and 11, framing and finishing the walls!
Roy refuses to smile. Maybe because he just can't believe how big that rock behind him - "Budmas #1" - is.
Ismail stands to the left of the school, in front of "Budmas #2" rock. It needs to go.
All done! Door goes on next. There are two small rooms, the back room is up about 2 feet from the street, and the front room is on street level.
Krishna refuses to smile, even after completing the building. See the windows!! (Grills will come later)
Bathroom!
How cute are the bills?
Here's one of our "homegrown" bills that we used, check the signature on the bottom right. Everyone has to sign when they receive the bills.
They loved having their pictures! Workers from day 10.
Here is our donor, Chris Wright, at the front of the door. Shadie Farazian and her family donated the majority of the funds (picture to come). She is friends with Chris!
Mr. Chris comes back, December 2008. He recruits volunteers to PAINT THE PRESCHOOL!
Look at the big rocks, lovely!
Here are the preschoolers playing in the main building, 50 yards away.
Thank you, Chris Wright, for these pictures!
Right before the roof was ready... we look like the other houses around there. There is a water connection, but no electricity.
These stones were transplanted from the first site, the huts. See: http://picasaweb.google.com/leighanne/Q42007ReportSlideshow/photo#5171521829266260514
First day in the new building, the walls are still wet from being "cured" but the kids don't mind. We'll wait a bit for electricity (fans and lights).
Here we go, time to paint.
It was dark in there, needs white paint.
Jennifer Chiang, Natasha, Sherry Zarabi, and Carla Swiryn,
Before!
New customer, Baby Said.
after!!!
Beebe, Sunitha, Divya, Uma
baby Eliya, special needs
November 2008: Druid Hills United Methodist Preschool in Atlanta Georgia is hosting an amazing fundraiser to connect the Rainbow preschool building up to electricity! Thank you, Mary Helen!! We will connect in July 2009
Thanks to Frank for this picture
