Juanico and I approached from opposite directions and arrived first on site, where we almost immediately removed the tarp and started hauling timbers.  No-nonsense Juanico.  By nine o’clock, several others had trickled in,and we were looking at two out of three assembled bents on the deck.  It was now or not at this point, and for the most part the skies were not telling of rain.  So the messengers were sent and a larger crowd began to form as we prepared to raise these twenty-eight feet-long walls into place.  Everyone in position and up went the first bent with relative ease.  Number two was up minutes later, and all of a sudden things had changed.  A building was forming.

By lunch, the final bent, rafter plates and the first pair of rafters were all up, and by five o’clock we had a full frame assembled.  Despite darkening skies that afternoon, we were blessed with no rain, but plenty of smiles.  Across the street, the escuela’s bingo was gearing up,  - a nice chance coincidence to have the community see the structure in place for the first time.  In a few days time, with the the roof on, one could truly stand underneath it, feel the space, and digest what was going to be happening there someday soon.  Though plenty of work remains to bring the CLSC to operating status, we are very pleased with the accomplishments to date.  It’s a long process, but if you’ve ever spent a good amount of time in Mastatal, you might say we’re moving right along.

The addition now has a roof on its head for the rainy season, with major construction largely on hold until the end of the year.  Preparations are being made for the dry season, when we hope to continue with walls, windows and doors, install a solar-electric system, and furnish the facility for use.  Many thanks to all your support, and please stay tuned for further updates and other news from MCF.

Check out more pictures of the CLSC here…

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

Thanks to the filmmaking prowess of Brian “Sparky” O’Rourke and the motivating presence of Desa VanLaarhoven, hours of interviews and footage were condensed into a short video as part of our Mother’s Day fundraising campaign.  The success of this campaign allowed us to start gathering materials on the ground in Mastatal, namely the teak timbers to be used for the addition.  As these were stacked and stored for seasoning,  Alex, Junior and Tyler set forth digging holes and laying the foundation amidst radio broadcasts of the World Cup.  From there the first timbers for the deck were cut – the beginning of a long process that will ultimately culminate in the addition’s raising next year.

Meanwhile, our good friend and steadfast pillar of the Mastatal community, Juanico, was hired in September to begin the casa de cacao renovations, a largely cement-oriented project.  He was the man who originally built the structure some 30 years ago, and is thus most apt to know it and change it.  Upon our departure for the States he had already replaced the roof and knocked out four windows and a door.  His goal is to largely finish the interior by the end of the year.  While the techniques and materials do not necessarily fall under the “natural building” heading, we believe this renovation represents a balance between the common traditions and the old traditions, creating a space that will feel comfortable and inviting to its community.  This structure already has a history, and there exists a sense of satisfaction in bringing this long neglected building back into vibrant use.

It will then be the timber frame and wattle-and-daub’s role to introduce alternative techniques, rather than overtake the current ones outright.  We hope that the two structures combine in a way that mirrors the diversity of activities that will take place within their walls.

Goals for the new year are to bring the renovation to completion, inside and out, as well as raise the timber frame addition.  The latter will involve a number of weeks of cutting timbers in the Salon before raising day, an event that strives to bring together as much of the community as possible to help achieve the task.  From there, attaching the roof and beginning on the wall systems will encompass the next phase of construction, with the hope of making a push on the wattle and daub before the dry season runs out, so as to move forward with lime washing in the rainy season.  There is also the question of a bathroom on site.  Depending on who takes on some of these tasks, the construction phase of the CLSC could easily last the year, considering doors, windows, furniture, etc.  If funding continues, these types of activities could make room for more local jobs, as well as new types of job training.

All in all, I am pleased with our progress so far.  Beyond the physical construction, the depth of relationships being cultivated speaks both to the cross-cultural nature of our work and the shared passion for a more sustainable Mastatal.  While education is already relatively strong in Costa Rica, we believe the CLSC will provide yet another outlet for both young and adult students alike to further their awareness and strengthen their community’s place in the world.

Thank you for all your support and keep an eye out for further updates in the New Year…

Thank you so much for your continued interest in our cause, and please be sure to check back often!!!