We are very excited that Sarin has finally been able to launch the much anticipated road project.  Since the very beginnings of the school, five years ago, the road into the village and to the school has been a difficult issue.  During the dry season it is merely inconvenient to slowly pick your way around all of the holes and ruts, but during the rainy season the road becomes a major problem for anyone attempting to get into the school.  We have had our share of tourist groups whose buses have sunk into the mud, or simply had to cancel their visit.  Our teachers arrive at school muddy from a slippery fall from their bicycles or motor bikes.  Our students wade through filthy standing water to reach the school, and their parents struggle to get to their jobs in the city and return with food for the family.

Last October we were blessed with a significant donation, which allowed us to start planning this project.  Sarin met with village leaders, who pledged their support.   Sarin met with a reputable contractor and negotiated for a quality job at a reasonable price.

Much of the initial work can be done with manual labor, and our plan has been to hire as many of the local villagers as possible for this work.  Our purpose was two-fold.  We want the villagers to be personally invested in this road project, and we want local families to benefit from labor funds.

The project will consist of installing three drainage culverts to carry the water under the road instead of over the road.  There will be drainage ditches dug and fill dirt used to build up the height of the road.  All of the lowest spots in the road will be built up with an additional foundation of rocks and fill dirt, which will be compressed and graded with heavy equipment.

We hope you will enjoy the first photos of the beginning of this exciting and worthwhile project.

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