I got back from my service trip to Honduras about six weeks ago (previous trip posts here & here). Since returning, the eMi staff has been working hard to QA/QC the Concept Plans our design team prepared for the CAFFIN (Centro Asistencial de Formación Familiar Integral) project in Siguatepeque, and now I'm so excited to finally share what we worked on while we were there! 

CAFFIN is a Honduran non-governmental organization (NGO) established to reach out and meet a variety of needs in the community in and around Siguatepeque. CAFFIN owns the land for this project and has already fundraised a portion of the money needed to begin construction. The design team donated our services in exchange for a place to stay, food for the time we were there, and transportation. It’s still amazing to me what our team was able to accomplish in just nine days! Click the button below to view the Concept Plans, watch the fly through video below, and read the project scope for more detail. 

Project Scope

Medical Center… for tertiary care with medical exam rooms, a pharmacy, offices, and a waiting area. The nearest public hospital is about an hour away, unaffordable for many, and lacking the ability to treat major medical needs.
Ministry & Educational Center (with kitchen)… for gatherings/meetings and for GED study. Many kids don’t continue their education beyond 6th grade, because they have to walk several miles to school. The kitchen will be used to prepare 450 eggs per day for three local schools through the One Egg Program. Currently, these eggs are being prepared in someone’s home. For some kids, an egg is the only thing they have to eat all day. 
Vocational Training Center… for people to learn various trades beyond the GED program (auto mechanics, welding, woodworking, etc).
Guardhouse… for a single person or small family to live on the site full time. 
Soccer Field… for fun! 

Team 

Team (Role, Home) From Left to Right: Brad (Project Leader/Structural, CO), Alisha (Brad’s Wife/Volunteer, CO), Marlin (Civil, TN), Matt (Electrician, MI), Me (Civil, IL), Todd (Contractor, MI), Candy (Sean’s Wife/Volunteer, SC), Sean (Surveyor, SC), Darren (Contractor, MI), Francis (Local Architect, HND), Justin (Assist. Project Leader/Mechanical, CO), Vera (Local Architect, HND), Austin (Structural, VA), Janine (Architect, TX), Ruedi (Electrical, HI), Jordan (Architect, CO), Andy (CAFFIN Director, HDN)

Itinerary

I wanted to share what our day-to-day work looked like. Below is the timeline of the trip as I saw it through my eyes. Our team was so incredible and worked so hard. I'm sure I only saw a portion of what everyone was doing to pull this whole thing off! 

Day 1: Arrive in Honduras. Andy picks half of the team up from the airport and we drive three hours to Siguatepque.

Day 2: Go to the project site for the first time. Begin the survey, evaluate the site, and determine areas to test soils for sanitary percolation. Three more team members arrive that night.

Day 3: Go to the project site, begin digging test holes for sanitary percolation, and brainstorm ideas for the master plan. Two more team members arrive that night. In the evening, go to church and hear Andy preach (in Spanish)!

Day 4: Go to the project site and finish soil tests. Begin sanitary calculations. The architects go to the site together for the first time and begin the master plan and building designs. 

Day 5: Go to the project site and get water samples for testing. Finish the sanitary calculations and begin work on the narrative. Begin electrical and structural analysis as the architects continue the master plan and building designs. Have dinner with the Mayor and board of CAFFIN. Put together an impromptu presentation for the Mayor. 

Day 6: Test the water samples. Meet with the Mayor and City Water Engineer on site to understand opportunities for a water source. Get interviewed by the local news. Begin water calculations, and work on civil drawings.

Day 7: Go to a local coffee processing facility. Continue working on drawings, calculations, and narratives. 

Day 8: Finalize drawings, calculations, and narratives. 

Day 9: Present plans to the CAFFIN board. Drive three hours to the coast.

Day 10: Spend time at the beach and pool with the project team. Reflect on the week. 

Day 11: Head home!