I went to Cruz just after Christmas asking for her help in understanding Everardo, and I can’t thank Cruz enough for her help - my Spanish was simply not up to the task.
Good news on the cateract surgery - Cruz was able to get him to a specialist and on the 20th he will go and have the cataract surgery so desperately needed. Because he has strict instructions about leaning over, lifting things, etc., Cruz has graciously invited him to stay with her for those 10 recovery days.
I have arranged for his main meal to be brought to him at 2:30 each day for a cost of $40 pesos per meal. Due to recovery he will require assistance for meals for about a month so this cost of $1,200 pesos has been graciously covered by Stephanie.
This morning Carol paid for someone to clean his place - there was about 2 years of dust, dirt and grime . . . a lot of hours involved in cleaning this, so thank you Carol - and believe it or not there was no water at his house and she needed to return after 2 when water would be there. This needs to be looked into.
My friend and neighbour, Red, and I went through his home this morning and these are the thoughts
Sink Area
Drain needed for the sink area - will need to dig a trench about 25’ long and 18” deep. The bottom layer needs about 4” of gravel, then the drain pipe )about 20’ of perforated pipe, then more gravel for a few inches and then the dirt;
From the existing sink we can sun a short pipe and valve for water to the sink (right now he hauls it);
New pavers for sink area - right now it’s dirt and turns to mud every day.
Toilet Area
New toilet and shower head;
New floor/pavers because the existing one has no drain and if we put a shower head in so he can have a shower (other than using the garden hose) ;
Surface mounted plumbing and water supplies for toilet and shower - these are extended from the existing sink to the bathroom area via T valve for both - right now he hauls water to his toilet and I think its just over a pipe and not cemented but not really sure;
From the existing sink we could continue to another valve for the shower - about 15’ of piping, a few valve, a couple of elbows, screws. Silicone.
From Back Door to Toilet
New pavers for back door to toilet;
New shelter for this area - the existing structure will no support anything so that needs redoing - a couple of smaller posts - the shelter could be a couple of 8’ lengths of metal roofing.
Bedroom/Kitchen Area
Shelving is needed for food and kitchen utensils (pots, pans, plates, cutlery)
Electrical
NO idea how it’s wired - can see where it comes into the house but after that it’s just junk. He says he has only the one outlet that works
SO:
Suggest a small breaker box and run maybe 4 circuits: - wiring - fridge and appliances - outlets - 2 in kitchen; 2 in bedroom; 2 in sitting area - extra (maybe get a water heater I the future?)
Make sure the outlet for the fridge could also power a future TV
Other Items
The whole place will need painting, hopefully with an “easy on the eye” colour rather than stark white.
Cruz has generously donated a fridge.
All of this is going to take some cash, and so Susan Davenport has donated a 20” x 16” Oil on Canvas painting by Efran Gonzales (signed and valued by the artist at between $13,000 and $15,000 pesos) to be raffled off. Tickets will be $50 each or 3 for $100 - SUCH INCENTIVE!!
(SORRY - picture won't load - I'll keep trying)
Send me an an email at valerie.denford@gmail.com to arrange to pick up your tickets.
The painting right now can be viewed at The Gallery, in La Manzanilla
My friends, John and Valerie Tibbles, have donated $1,500 pesos towards the costs involved in this project.
Everardo has asthma and so any painting and hard chemical cleaning has to be done when he is not “in residence`’ so it makes sense that we try to get the bulk of this done during his 10 day stay with Cruz. Once I have a better understanding of just what is needed I will be calling out to the community for volunteer help, from EVERYONE! . . . . . MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK
My intention is not to bring his home "up to gringo standards", but to improve his quality of life. . . . so that he doesn't have to stand in the back dirt with a garden hose to have a shower.
We need to ask La Huerta just what they are able to provide and which task Cruz has once more graciously stepped up the the plate - again my Spanish is not good enough.
1 st: I hope the community realized that when I stated that Stephanie would be covering the costs of meals for Everardo, that it was intended to refer to the generosity she is offering o behalf of the Helping Hands Book Store and Otra Vez Second Hand.
2 nd: I've tried until 11:30 to upload the picture and the internet is too slow, so Ill try early toorrow , , , now it's bedtime/1
Way to go Valerie and all involved. Have helped Everado in the past and very happy to hear about his surgery. My family would be happy to kick in what we can to help with costs and maybe our contractor would be willing to donate a bit of time to help with the work. Tho I am not super handy I have dug a few ditches in my time. I will email you.
West and I volunteered to paint today. Now that everything has changed, we are still ready to put in time painting. BTW--you stole my fundraising idea!
That’s a beautiful Efren Gonzales! That should raise a good sized donation. Val, you and Cruz and the whole team are doing amazing work in this little village.
Just one little observation. I hope this doesn’t sound facetious...seriously, I have been researching cold exposure therapy. (Wim Hof Method) That cold shower Everard has been taking could be contributing to his long, healthy life. So if he gets a water heater, he might not use it.
I am so looking forward to seeing the transformation. Keep us posted on every way we can help.
Carol - you are right - also the water heater would just incur another cost for gas, etc. - but that was just a reference for what the extra outlet for the electrical box COULD be used for.