Day 4

Today was a very eventful day.  We got to lay brick in the actual house, finish off laying brick in the septic tank and finish back filling the rooms with soil.

We took joy in the little things, like this baby chicken;

a sweet moment between grandfather and grand daughter;

and a conversation with Julia's cousin about the typical school day and plans for his future.

We were able to get a lot done on the house as well today, filling in the rooms with rubble so they would soon be able to pour the concrete slabs. We also completed 4 courses of brick on the house and finished filling the house with rubble.

We also were treated to a homemade dinner of green chili by Andy, who spent his morning slaving away over the coal burners.

After our day on site was done, the local affiliate took us on a tour of other Habitat houses they had built in the area.  

This house is their most basic layout; kitchen, 1 bedroom and a bathroom.  Here is the homeowner is telling us about the progress on their house.  They were still waiting on the city to come and allow them to get electric and water to the house, and then with their Christmas bonus they would be able to turn those utilities on and have their daughter and granddaughter move in.

Here is another of their type 1 houses.  This one is not covered in stucco like the other.  We were unable to enter the house, but we did get to take pictures and meet the owner and his son.

Here is the last house we were taken to.  This started out as one of their Type 1 basic designs and the owner expanded to include 2 more bedrooms.  

This house is owned by a locally renowned mariachi, who is quite famous in this part of Paraguay.  His brother lives on the plot behind him.

We had a long, hot and exhausting day, but ended with the opportunity to learn more about the locals and what the typical Paraguay house looks like.  I would like to thank the HPHPY affiliate for taking the time to educate us on what they do.

I close with a picture of the view from that last house.