Our volunteer engineers, project managers and operators in Oregon are planning to return to Haiti in March, 2020 for a variety of site work activities. First, the site work includes repairing some eroded areas, installing a new stormwater drainage system (1200 feet of 18 inch and 12 inch HDPE pipe), completing the final grading on the two fields (using a 1-2% cross slope), and regrading the surface drainage system (ditches and ponds). To complete this job as well as to maintain our property, grass soccer fields and gravel road, we have purchased a CAT 420D backhoe (with John Deere controls). We will rent other construction equipment to complete the site work noted above including a dozer (D4 or D6), grader and roller.

To staff the site work, we will need a backhoe operator for at least 4 weeks. First priority will be storm drain pipe installation, followed by footing excavation, and embankment repair. We will need a grader operator for 1 to 2 weeks to finish grade the two large soccer fields. We will need a dozer operator for 2 to 3 weeks to assist with embankment repair, ditch grading, building pad grading, and field grading. To support these activities, we need a pipe crew leader, a general grading crew leader, and a survey grade checker for up to 4 weeks. For questions on the site work, please contact Ed Chamberland at ed_chamberland@wvi.com or 503-910-0234.

We will also begin construction on two buildings during this time. The first one will be a 26x40 garage to store equipment and materials and host staff meetings and English classes until the educational center is built. The second building will be a 40x40 covered shop area bounded by two containers. This building will host job skills trainings and be a workplace for future projects. In March, we will final grade the pads, form and pour the concrete foundations and slabs, and set up for building erection. The garage is a prefabricated building kit made here in Oregon, while the covered shop area will be fabricated on-site.

To staff the building construction, we will need workers with general carpentry or concrete skills to set up forms, place rebar, and pour concrete for the footings and slabs. We will also need workers for erection of the prefabricated garage steel building frame, metal siding and roof, windows, doors, and insulation. Similarly, we will need workers to help fabricate and erect the covered shop area including fabricating the steel trusses on-site and installing the metal roofing. Building construction will need crew leaders and construction workers for at least 4 to 6 weeks and possibly extend into April. For questions on the building construction, please contact Bob Thatcher at bobthatcher@hotmail.com or 503-931-4761.

We have purchased several shipping containers to send equipment and materials to Haiti. The first two ship out in late January and include the backhoe, miscellaneous tools, erosion control materials, HDPE pipe, and anything else we can get in there! The third one will follow several weeks later and include the building materials.

In general, the plan is for American volunteers with engineering and construction knowledge to lead blended crews of American and Haitian workers. This will provide the opportunity to teach local people quality construction skills, build relationships, and work together. Past construction team volunteers report that while the work was challenging it was one of the best experiences of their life. Take a risk and join our team! These opportunities don’t come along very often.