The first step in building our new clinic is to strip the siding from the old structure. The wood, which was removed, was used for another building. Note the steps leading into the room. The area where a brigadista is picking up boards will become a porch after the footings are set. Concrete block construction is common in Nicaragua.

Supervision seems to be important as many of our folks study the setup. The siding has been stripped away demonstrating some temporary and some permanent supporting lumbers. Much of the wall was removed intact for easy application elsewhere. The porch has not yet been started. The woman with the red blouse and red baseball cap was a hard worker.

Pam Lowery gets serious in aligning the new wall. The lumber is a way to assure a straight line. The ropes stretched tightly show where to place the block. The need for supervision seems to remain. I think hands on hips is a good position for advising how and where to place blocks.

Side view demonstrates that blocks may now be placed. The corner has been arranged and the advisors seem to concur that the string is indeed straight. The prodigious worker from Mina el Limon is also looking things over now. Soon the wall will move upward. Mixing concrete as the blocks are set is back breaking and tedious labor, but the next views show good progress.

There was time to relax and check for sore muscles. Hands that haul concrete blocks tend to get sore. Michelle also managed to find a biting stinging insect along the way. Here Palmyra works her magic by massaging sore hands. The smile reminds us that they are still having a great time during this break.

The south side is portrayed on the right. The concrete blocks have started up the side. This view demonstrates leaving the roof intact. The footings for the porch have been started. The picture on the right is that of a man running for office. A concrete block fence will eventually surround this entire area.

Back to a frontal view the porch is noted along the entire length. The footings have been poured and a concrete block porch wall rises. It is readily apparent that more than supervision was accomplished. This is the third day of working. Our folks joined hands with the women of the village and accomplished minor and major miracles this week.

Eight months later the clinic building shows this amazing transformation. The blocks have been covered with adobe and a fresh coat of paint has been applied. The porch is complete and straight and level. Doors and windows have been added for security and beauty. It is beginning to look as if we can hold clinic here.

Eduardo leans casually in the door to the clinic. The porch is well demonstrated here. Note the small garden between the porch and the old building. This is really a planter box for flowers. Beauty is always in the mind of builders. The flowers will add rich color to the front of this clinic when they bloom.

The south projection is now finished and has windows added. There is still a small pile of building concrete here. It will be used entirely in the completion process. These folks never waste anything as they improve their community. There will eventually be a concrete block fence around the whole clinic.

The back of the original building has not been painted. The addition of a similar room connected through this door has been begun. Completion date depends to some extent upon the rains. The hope is that the concrete work will be done before the major rainy season is upon us. This clinic will offer a major opportunity for the people to receive local care.

These proud people are almost ready for the first patients to arrive. Actually, they have been treating them already. Here we have a clinic director, a doctor, and a nurse sitting by Eduardo who is studying his homework while we gossip. This medical team comes from Leon each Monday. They catch the bus early and return in the evening to their home in Leon.