Trying to stay true to our hope of bringing you more regular updates from the ground, we hereby bring you the latest news from the team here in Mastatal. Two thousand eleven steamrolled out of the gates on a number of fronts, with Solar Energy International and the Madison Area Technical College joining forces for our annual renewable energy workshop. Within the first week of the year, three new solar electric systems were installed, one for our old friend Moncho, one in Zapaton for a family who lives an hour’s walk off the main road, and another small array for lighting at the Ranch’s biodigester. There is already talk of a major system for the CLSC, maybe even for next year “si Dios quiere.”
In the meantime, there’s been forward motion on the CLSC site as the addition’s deck has been nearly halfway laid, with a new shipment of the rest of the decking curing for a bit. As it does, we’ve jumped into multiple other tasks, namely the squaring up and laying out of the frame’s timbers, further renovations in the old casa de cacao, as well as the beginnings of a composting toilet on site. The space has shaped up notably in the past few months, thanks in large part to the work of Juanico, Alex, Vinicio and Junior, whose collective small but significant touches have truly transformed the building. While there undoubtedly remains plenty to be done, it’s exciting to envision what will take place within those walls someday soon. As for now, we roll on ahead with patience and determination, looking forward to the coming weeks and months. Stay tuned…
February 2011
