New Building Project
The building project is now officially in full swing. At first this seemed like a daunting task, but we have since broken this huge project up into smaller steps and are taking them one at a time. We are happy to report at the time of this writing we have already accomplished two of these steps and are looking forward to completing the third step and getting a started on step four by the end of the year.
Our first step was to pay for the land and complete the paperwork to put it in the name of Casa Infantil Mojoneras. We are happy to report that Step One is now complete.
Our second step was to find a modest design that would meet our needs and fit our limited budget. No easy task, but thanks to the generosity of architect Ernesto del Castillo and his company DCM Arquitectos in Nuevo Vallarta (322.297.2164) who donated their time and tremendous talents, we have accomplished that also.
DCM Arquitectos has provided us with a perfect design that will allow Casa Infantil to improve and extend the services we can offer the children and their parents; expand and enhance our education and food programs and finally, provide a safe, clean, happy and stimulating environment for the children. Once again we are really happy to report that Step Two is now complete.
Our third step is probably the most critical step and that is to raise the money and the talent necessary to build our new home. At the time of this writing our architect has informed us we will need approximately $150,000.00 US dollars to complete our task. Once again this seemed to be insurmountable; however, we are also breaking this down into manageable steps. The mountain doesn’t seem so high when you focus on putting one foot in front of the other instead of concentrating on the summit.
We have many new exciting fund raising projects in mind, the first of which will be our new Tile Project. (Please go to the tile project page to review that project). In keeping with our basic premise that children must learn personal empowerment and how to help themselves, each tile will be handmade and hand painted by the children with loving care and permanently displayed on a wall of the new facility. Our initial goal is to sell 500 tiles by the end of summer and begin obtaining commitments from individuals, businesses and sponsors for most of the labor and building materials we will need to build our new home. Only with your help can we hope to succeed.
Here are the architectural drawings of the new building. It will be a two story building with the first level one large open room in the front for activities, play, classes, study hall, seminars, etc. The two story open ceiling design will allow for air circulation and a cooler environment for our hot summers. In the back on the right we have a large kitchen with office space directly behind, bathrooms on the left and laundry facilities in the backyard. The second floor will consist of two classrooms with toilet facilities.
Future plans include a play area on the roof for safety and convenience.
Our fourth step will probably be the most exciting step for all of us, and that is to actually start the construction. We hope to be able to start the construction before the end of 2009 and finish before the end of 2010. Please check back here, for further updates on our progress. We want to bring you all along with us on this amazing and rewarding journey.