Thursday, July 26, 2012

Foundation Nears Completion

With some delays, the foundation is finally coming to completion as workers begin the process of topping the rocks and bricks they laid with cement.  We are hoping for completion of the foundation on Thursday and the beginning of the walls starting on Friday.

Prior to adding the top cement, dirt was put back into the trenches, packed down, then murram and larger rock were added for stability.



The following two pictures are of the foundation for the porch that will be on the front of the building.

 

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Foundation Begins To Take Shape

Once the trenches were dug, several inches of mortar was put into the bottom of each trench to help stabilize the bricks that were added once the mortar dried.  Because of the slope of the land, bricks were brought to a higher level on one side so the building would be level.  The bricks inside the trenches will not only be there to support the foundation but to support the fill (rocks, cement and dirt) that will be the basis of the foundation.

On Thursday, workers had already finished 3/4 of the inner brick work that needed to be done prior to completing the foundation.  In the above right photo can be seen where dirt has been reintroduced to the trenches.  The next step are the stones and more cement.

Foundation trench for the porch
Future rooms

Lahash East African Coordinator Edwin Angote, along with Susan Tabia, inspect the site to see the progress of the work.  Susan was concerned that work was not going fast enough but Edwin ensured her that progress has been swift and on time.  He explained that once the foundation is set, the walls will go up fast.  Workers tell us that the walls should be started either Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.
 
 

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Construction Underway

Over the past two days, ground has been broken to begin the process of building the first of four housing structures (over the course of a year) at the new Amazing Grace site.  Trenches were dug and ground leveled to prepare for the foundation that will hold the building.




Prior to digging, bricks were purchased, sand and stone were delivered to the site.  Due to the lack of sophisticated machinery, the foundation cement will have to be mixed by hand.


Some of the children from Amazing Grace pitched in to help; digging trenches, setting up survey lines and fetching water for the cement.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Local Officals Give Go-Ahead for Building Project


Today IWASSRU representatives and Lahash advocates visited several governmental offices to secure the go ahead for the construction of the new building at the new AGO site.  Officials were enthusiastic and extended hands of help as they see the potential for Amazing Grace’s impact on the community at large. 
 
Local officials from district and county offices in Adjumani, Uganda along with IWASSRU representatives and Lahash advocates Will Campbell, John Dictson, Eric Chapman and Edwin Andgote visited the future site of Amazing Grace.  Officials wanted to get a clear picture of the land and the location of the building.  The contractor who will be in charge of the building project was also on hand.


With approval from local officials, the next step was purchasing the necessary materials to get the project off the ground.  We are hoping to have a foundation set within the week, and walls extended up half way within the next two weeks.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Amazing Grace Gets a New Home

     The land has been purchased and now the construction of new homes begins.  Thanks to the Camp Eagle partners in Rocksprings, Texas for their generous donation that will begin the process of building the first of many new homes for the children and staff at Amazing Grace.  Lahash's goal is to have at least two buildings built by January of 2013.  You can read more about the process at http://lahash.org/buildinghope/.  

    I will be traveling with Edwin Angote in July to survey the site and getting the project off the ground.  It has been almost three years since my last visit and I am excited to be a part of the process of relocating Amazing Grace to their own property and new homes.

    We will keep you updated with pictures and status of the process.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

New Amazing Grace Compound Supervisor



Amazing Grace Orphanage has welcomed a new Compound Supervisor, Robba Charles Rudu, seen above teaching a Bible study class. It is a huge answer to prayer, and he has provided some fantastic photos of the children that are being blessed by Amazing Grace and its partners.


Surveying possible land for Amazing Grace



Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Land Purchase Campaign Has Begun

     Exactly one year ago, the children of Grace Community Church in Roswell, New Mexico attended VBS (Vacation Bible School) and raised over $800 to repair a building at Amazing Grace Children's Home.  During that VBS they wrote letters and made necklaces for the children of AGCH.

  

     This year the children of Grace Community Church received personal letters from the children at AGCH, heard the call for funds to purchase land for AGCH and they stepped up to the challenge.  Over four days of VBS the children of Grace Community Church raised over $1100..........in quarters!!

  
     Thursday night after the performance, the children were able to get their parents to raise another $400, which brought the grand total to $1500!!!


     Thus the campaign to raise the necessary funds has begun.  The children of Grace Community Church have set the bar and challenge the rest of the Lahash Community to step up and step out in faith as we proceed to our goal of $10,000 by December 2010.