Back in Minnesota

May 24, 2014

After the long trip back with a few delays to raise one's concerns about what's so great about United Airlines merger with Continental and seeing my family all smiling and healthy, I am trying to be what I was before Liberia. It is what those around me expect. It is the Nick with whom they are familiar.

Adventures come with their costs. Mine is leaving a part of me in Liberia, not experienced by my family, and returning to Minnesota, not experienced by my Liberian friends. I am bisected with emotions from both sides, a sadness for those left, yet a joy of seeing family anew. This is the price I know I would have to pay, but that doesn't make it any easier. As to the cost for others, the ones who patiently waited for my return and those who I had to leave, I hope they realize the innocence of my actions combined with the knowledge they too share the cost.  
Now it is time to continue what I started in Liberia and get back in step with what I left in Minnesota. This is the new adventure which awaits.

Final Days

May 20, 2014

After three days of waiting for hours in long lines to close out my bank account, only to be told the bank would only permit limited withdrawals due to lack of cash, I finally was able to close of the account my sending myself a Moneygram. This means I don't have to travel to the main bank in Monrovia and stay overnight before departing. This gives me an extra day to catch up on all the loose ends and goodbyes.

Liberia is very different from Samoa. Poorer yes, but more expressive in their emotions. I leave with the feeling that besides asking me for money all the time, there is a sincere appreciation of my efforts and a sadness about my leaving. I think I have had some impact on their lives, maybe even a legacy. That is what Peace Corps is all about.  As to Liberia's impact on me, I know it is there; how great I leave to others to judge. That also is what Peace Corps is all about.

Wolekemah Woman say "Thank You"

May 17, 2014

The Wolekemah Women's Organization held a nice ceremony to thank the student mentors and me for our service to the Sinyea Town. I was presented with a lapa (shirt) made from hand-woven country cloth (something I had been looking to buy) and kola nuts (a traditional gift of friendship). Tears came to my eyes and words difficult to say at their generosity and friendship.
After the presentation we all went to Dr. Nick's for drinks and beer. As in Liberian custom, the person who is honored picked up the healthy bill. The student mentors came first followed by the women who partied until after I went home to sleep.

Being presented with a bag of cola nuts (the nuts are bitter)

With some of the Wolekemah Women

Setting up for the festivities

Some student mentors enjoying a drink after the ceremony

Special Recognition

May 16, 2014

Abraham Stewart, Finney and Simeon Ojong of  Project HIV/AIDS Prevention

Some people just do things because it is the right thing to do. These three Cuttington University and former students of mine have undertaken a gigantic program of condom distribution, HIV/AIDS awareness, and family planning at local schools, high-risk populations, and at the university. They quietly act like an army of hundreds and have inspired others to do the same. They have bigger plans for the future. Presenting them with Certificates of Appreciation is all I could do to say "Thank You".

The Power of a Book

 May 15, 2014

There is an eleven year old girl living next to my who wants me to take her to America. I ask what she thinks America is like and she is quickly joined by several young mothers and relatives anxious to hear what I have to say. The young girl has no idea of what America is like, but that does not dampen her desires. I ask her what year she is in school. She replies she is not currently in school, but she went to kindergarten last year. Her father is a student at Cuttington University and so is one of her sisters.

I describe school as a place where you have to go every day. If you miss, the school calls your home to ask why. If your parents do not send you to school, they can be fined. Children do homework almost every day , and teachers correct what they do. This is as foreign to her as Liberian education is to me.

I tell the people sitting around that the young girl would have trouble in an American school due to her age and her inability to read. She responds that she can read.  I get her an entry level picture book about a Liberian girI, called ”Marpu Goes to Market”*. Of course, she cannot read it. I give it to her to take home with instructions to read it to me the next day.

The next day outside my door, she calls me, book in hand. She has the story memorized and can tell it by looking at the pictures. She is amazingly close with the written words, but really can’t read them. I say she can keep the book.

A few hours later I hear her surrounded by a group of younger children, as she recites the story to them. She is in her glory which is shared by other adults who pass by.

This morning I hear the little children talking about Marpu. Marpu is a popular girl. I am struck by the impact of a simple reader in a land where there are no reading materials in the homes and books are a rarity in schools. The drives me even harder to get these readers into the schools with the stipulation children can take them home to read to others.

I am hearing similar stories about the books handed out during the mentoring program. Peace Corps is interested in maybe extending the program after I leave.

*Marpu is a young girl who has some money and goes to the market. All the things she wants are too expensive. She goes into a bookstore and finds a picture book she likes, but can’t afford that either. Marpu decides to save her money until she gets enough to buy the book. 

Miss RB’s 30th

 May 10, 2014

Rebekah Schulz, a.k.a. “Miss RB”, is a former two-year Liberian Peace Corps Volunteer who has extended her stay in Liberia and is now an USAID employee teaching at Cuttington University’s College of Agriculture. She is going to continue with her fourth year in Liberia with USAID. She epitomizes the ideals of Peace Corps. Today is the celebration of her 30^th and her” Liberian son’s” 23^rd birthday.  Dr. Nick’s is her chosen venue.

Miss RB “adopts” talented Liberians who come from impoverished backgrounds. She mentors them, pays for their college tuitions, and has gotten full scholarships for two of her “sons” to universities in Costa Rica and now two to Arizona State University. This is a remarkable achievement.

Most students see her as a mild-mannered teacher who now is teaching five different subjects, but seems to always be available to work with any student who seeks her assistance.

Today is a time to discard “mild-mannered” and a time for others to show their appreciation. Her 30^th is truly a time to celebrate.

Time to let loose

Miss RB with her "Adopted Sons"

What is a birthday without a cake and speeches?

Mentoring Project…Done, Kind of

 May 9, 2014

Today is the final day of the Mentoring Project. The last group of 140 Sinyea primary school students is on their way home after receiving their certificates, story book, and a fine meal, followed by a presentation of Peace Corps certificates to 30 Cuttington University students and members of Wolekemah Women’s Organization, and ending with a cold soft drink at Dr. Nick’s.

One always hopes that your efforts have “sustainability”. I think this one does. Numerous towns’ people have come to me wanting mentoring to continue. The university students are meeting next week to try and determine what to do next. Local schools are requesting story books after mentored students bring their story books to class and want to read it to classmates. School officials want to meet with me, presumably to get books for their schools which lack any reading materials. This mentoring project is just a pebble thrown into the educational lake of this beleaguered country, but maybe the ripples will have ripples.

 Lorpu Doloyuwah, President of Wolekemah Women's Organization

Cuttington University student mentor, Ammens Walters

Cuttington University students mentors

Soft drinks at Dr. Nick's (Peace Corps grants do not permit alcohol)

The Facade of Education

 May 7, 2014

In my former Cuttington University office, a couple of Peace Corps teachers at the university were discussing typical academic subjects such as the world population, society’s role in helping families with too many children, and a university Chemistry student could not multiply by one when the Dean of Natural Science College came in and asked for the names of students graduating this semester who are enrolled in freshman level Math courses. He then inquired about a test one of the Peace Corps instructors was preparing which required the students to write out the answers. The Dean then said that he should be giving multiple choice questions because that type of test is considered to be more objective.

The Peace Corps instructor said that having the student write out the answer was a better way of determining whether the student actually knew the answer. The Dean repeated his assertion adding “True and False” questions to his list of questions students should be asked.

The Assistant Vice-President of Academic Affairs then entered the room commenting that having transcripts with graduating seniors taking freshman level introductory courses their last semester just didn’t look good on transcripts. The problem was due to poor counseling at the university.

 At no time was the issue about whether students are actually learning anything discussed. This was the endemic problem I faced when teaching which seems to be throughout the entire Liberian educational system. It reminded me of the old Cannon Camera commercial which stated that “Image is Everything”. 

The Last 500 Meters

May 2, 2014

As my departure from Liberia grows nearer, I feel like I am in a rowing contest, exhausted but still with 500 meters to go. Your body wants to quit and your mind says “good job”, but the coxswain is yelling at you to “Pull”, the race is not over. The finish line is the continuation of my major who are projects, literacy for people of Sinyea town, HIV/AIDS prevention and Family Planning, and Dr. Nick’s.

The mentoring project is a success beyond anyone’s dreams. Over 140 Sinyea primary school students have come in contact with 40 Cuttington University mentors. Most of the Sinyea students are from homes with illiterate parents who are unaware of the failed education their children are receiving, but who eager to learn and prove themselves to their university mentors. This success is only skin deep. There are deeper issues of simply not having any reading materials at home or school to improve reading skills and parents unable to negotiate the written world. Unfortunately, the student group who inspired the mentoring project (DES-N), seems to be unable to get itself together and is unlikely to undertake any other major projects without reorganizing itself.

A former Peace Corps Volunteer and now a USAID teacher at Cuttington coupled with gift from an American donor are helping to create a library to be administered by the town’s Wolekemah Women’s Organization in Sinyea Town. The books are mainly for primary-aged children and are excellent in that they are written by Africans and deal with their problems, such as, resolving animosities, death of a parent, misunderstanding, disappointment, gender bias, and HIV/AIDS/Child Exploitation. It is hard warming to see how both children and adults are reacting to our initial tests. Several Cuttington students have already asked to assist students and parents in the reading of these books and to act as human dictionaries.

To assist illiterate parents, a program is being established by former university student mentors to act as “Advocates” for illiterate parents. Their role is to assist parents understand the written world of their children’s school, teach how to write your name and address, and help in filling out forms, applications, etc.  This is part of obtaining N.G.O. status for the Wolekekmah Women’s Organization who are a organizing force and whose long-term goals are to build a literacy center for women.

The HIV/AIDS/Family Planning project is off to a great start. A group has Cuttington students have already formed a university accredited program and are active in acquiring funds and condoms on their own. Who would have known demonstrating condoms to my Immunology students would spark such a successful effort?

“Dr. Nick’s” is built and operating. How create a sophisticated business to be run by a single mother with 11 dependent children and who have survived by selling donuts for the past six years to understand accounting, marketing, and cost control is more than enough to keep one awake at nights. But when you are dealing with people who are smart, dedicated, survived wars and hunger, you have a chance. But the step is a big one.

I can sense the finish line. I just hope I have enough within me to cross it. Besides all that, it is HOT and the bugs are making a meal of me.

Radio Interview for Mentoring Program

April 25, 2014
The local radio station, Radio Gbargna, sent a person to interview mentors, students, and the President of the Wolekemah Women's Organization. He seemed very impressed with the impact of the program and the dedication of the college student mentors. The interview airs this Monday.

Mentor Clifford C. being interviewed by Radio Gbargna

Mentor Rhoda K. with students who have completed the program

Grand Opening Disappointment

April 26, 2014

Everyone was primed for the Grand Opening of "Dr. Nick's". Coolers were stocked with beer,the shelves sagged with little bottles of cheap booze, and the loud speakers blasted at maximum volume and bass. Pricing showed discounts on all drinks. The expected crowd of college students never materialized. 

Yes, a number of the older locals showed up to enjoy some beer and to dance, but all around was the blaring of private parties..The occasion was the nursing students received their nurse's cap, and what student can pass up a private party with drunk nurses?

The good things is beer and booze don't spoil and a funeral this week proves to reduce inventory stocks.

Bike Transport

April 24, 2014
Motorbikes are the primary mode of carrying people and goods for relatively short distances. Here are two bikes bringing the following to Dr. Nick's:
5 cases of bottled beer
6 cartons of canned beer and soft drinks
3 cases of whiskey
5 gallons of gasoline
and me

Easter

4-20-14

Easter is the most sacred day in Christendom.  The passion of Holy Week and the suffering of Good Friday are its prelude. Yet here in my area of Liberia, the passion is in the partying until 3:30 am and the suffering is from the terrible beating my religious neighbor gave her daughter. Easter morning is another wash day as children are not in school on Sunday. If there is an Easter Bunny, he is going to be served over rice for my noon meal. There is no candy, no special clothes. Cuttington University, sponsored by the Episcopal Church, suspends classes and closes the dorms and cafeteria from Thursday to Sunday in observance, but not much else is different.

All this is in such a contrast to my own experiences. In Samoa the whole country comes to a halt, dresses in its finery, and eats special foods. Even in commercial United States, you know it is Easter. My recollections of a Russian Orthodox Easter, Lutheran youth, and being part of an Orthodox Easter service in Minneapolis remind me of the importance of pomp and circumstance to mark what is special in life.  

It is hard not be critical and judgmental. I am not surprised by today, but it is disappointing, even as an agnostic,  to find another instance of the country’s disjointedness.  

A Banking Tale

4-17-14

Banking in Liberia is an adventure in long waits and discourtesies. I have waited as long as 4 hours in line, and never less than one hour to withdraw money. Depositors have a special express window. It is often you find your withdrawal line moving backwards, as people in front of you are holding places for others who chose not to stand in line. In the bank’s defense, it does have a DVD which shows movies while you wait (I can never see “Hitman” enough times).

Well, my Peace Corps friend who is now the sponsor of the Peace Corps grant for the mentoring program goes to the bank on Wednesday to withdraw the grant money for my use. The bank manager grills him as to why he wants to withdraw such a large sum, $2,000 USD. The manager says he does not have that much money and to come back the next day. He may have some money at that time.

The next morning we both go to the bank. Since it is dangerous to carry any cash here and since I have an account at the same bank, I suggest we do an internal bank transfer. I then can withdraw some funds to pay people I owe money and he can be off the hook.

Not so easy for him as the bank manager calls him into his office and again grills him on what, why, and to whom he is transferring the money. He points to me and comes steaming out of the manager’s office, mad as hell. He says the manager wants to talk to me. My mind immediately fills with disparaging words like, “It is none of his God Damn business what I do with the money” as I slam the glass door entering his glass-walled office.

The manager extends his hand Liberian Style and warmly greets me, as he offers me a seat. He expounds on the great time he had at the bachelor party he attended at “Dr. Nick’s”. He really likes the place, a smart investment, and he plans to come back. We are instantly “Buds”. My Peace Corps friend stands in the lobby in disbelief as he watches the office proceedings. It is truly amazing what a few beers and loud Liberian music can do.

"Dr. Nick's" Exists

April 14, 2014
It's official. The lettering is on the marquee, the store is blessed, surrounding shrubbery has been peed on, and trial events are done. I am told that Liberians like signs with lots of descriptive words, like Entertainment and Business Center. Sorry, it is just "Dr. Nick's". Now it is time to plan for the Grand Opening and mark this project as DONE.

Chewing gum is used to hold the fine lines in the Algerian script stencil

After waiting several days and many hours for his arrival, the artist and his masterpiece

Bachelor Party Liberian Style

April 11, 2014
What happens at bachelor parties,seems to be universal. This one at Dr. Nick's lasted until dawn the night before the wedding. The men generally get really drunk, began dancing with each other and the next day regret their actions.

Groom is in center with blue and white shirt and cap

No caption required

Cooking for 140

April 10, 2014

The mentoring program just keeps expanding. It is now at 140 students and almost 30 university mentors.

Women's group preparing rice

A mentoring group

Computer by Candlelight

April 10, 2014

Here I sit writing an entry into my blog, connected to the internet via a cell phone modem while lit by candlelight. There is no electricity or running water. Everyone seems to have a cell phone, although they often call and quickly hang up to signal you are the one to pay for the return call. A text message is rare since many cannot read or write.This is what is happening in the third world, gigantic steps in technology while education and services we take for granted await arrival. 

Wild Night at Dr. Nick's

April 6, 2014
The Wolekemah Women's Organization had its weekly meeting followed by a visit to Dr. Nick's for some homemade eggnog (sans eggs), laced with native-made, natural, organic cane juice. Wow, that is some egg nog!

Some egg non, ladies?

White men can dance too.

Some of the crowd

Mentoring Program Expands

April 6, 2014
The second group of Cuttington University student mentors are now matched with primary school students in Sinyea village. The program now has 120 primary school students and over 20 university student mentors. Meals are served to all students after they meet with their mentors.

Students with notebooks and pens after registering.

With some university mentors, all of whom were my students.

I have a group to mentor too.

Dr. Nick's Update Report

April 6, 2014
Painting is almost complete and wooden tables are being built. The woman who will operate Dr. Nick's and her family are active participants in its construction. Merchandise is on the shelves and in the cooler for sale.Several Cuttington University student are active in making business and promotional decisions.

The Grand Opening is scheduled for Saturday, April 26th. Cuttington University students are back from visiting their families during Easter Break and hopefully flush with cash.

Painting almost completed. Note ladder.

Taking and bringing wood from wood shop 1/2 mile away. Another job women do. 

Dr. Nick's Dedication

April 2, 2014

Having a new business blessed is a good way to start. Tonight a group from the nearby Pentecostal church came for Dr. Nick's dedication. It is a beautiful sight to see church ladies wind their way in procession down the hill with their flashlights shining. Lots of signing and dancing, all seeming going well until the doors to Dr. Nick's were opened reveling its contents of beer and whisky.

Undeterred, the pastor continued reading the 23rd Psalm, took the donation and soft drinks.

Dr. Nick's dedication participants

Mentoring Lessons

April 3, 2014

Martina W. Kohn with students

Scenes like this of Cuttington University student, Martina Kohn, mentoring 60+ Sinyea primary school students are in the second week. Demand is great from town residents who seem happy that someone is paying attention to their students educational needs. The mentors are feeling great satisfaction for their efforts. This Sunday marks the establishment of matching a second group of Sinyea students with mentors.

Some early observations highlight the problems mentors, students, and parents face. Their seems to be a great disconnect between the perceived level of education and actual skills. Students take classes far in excess of their actual skill levels. They pass from grade to grade without ever mastering basic reading, writing, and math skills. To some extend this is due to the students who see little relevance in what the lessons to their daily life and are so far behind in skill level they simply sit in class unable to understand the lesson. Another reason is that the educational level of the parents is so low that they lack the education to assist their children with their lessons, are intimidated by teachers whom they respect, and feel that if their child is enrolled in school, they are advancing. A final leg of this problem is the educational system itself which permits students to advance in grades if teachers are paid or students provide sex. There is little wonder that no applicant to the University of Liberia passed the entrance exam, yet the school is full of students. Cuttington University is no different..

When in Samoa, I was critical that the only book in people's homes was 'The Holy Bible". But, Samoans could read and understand it, giving the country a very high literacy rate in both written Samoan and English. Liberian churches and church schools don't even try to have their followers read. Everything is just oral.

Get Free Condoms Here

April 3, 2014
"Get Free Condoms Here" signs are appearing everywhere on campus, at departmental offices and kiosks at Cuttington University. This is due to the student group "HIV/AIDS Prevention and Family Planning's" to not only distribute condoms but to establish places where students can get additional condoms as needed.

. 

Dr Nick's, Open April 1st?

March 30, 2014

Well maybe Dr. Nick's won't open on April Fool's Day, but hopefully that weekend. Of course, having workmen appear is always a big question mark.

Tensions are running high between the woman who will operate the store and myself, primarily over pricing and items to sell. She has a feel for what local residents buy. Like many small shop owners she doesn't understand the math of turnover, margins, and cost of inventory. What happens to many shops is that to stock an item you have to buy a large quantity which may sit on the shelf and expire. Cash gets tied up in these purchases leaving little left over for anything else."Cash is King" is my mantra.She does understand how to keep her personal expenses separate from the store. She thinks I am crazy for charging so much and feels high prices drive customers away. We both have to learn from each other, but the process is painful.

I am scheduled to run the shop my way until I leave. She takes over after that. She is concerned I will fuck-up the whole thing before then (my language, not hers).

Inside the cage

Beer, alcohol, and cigarettes make money

Still needs paint and lettering

Project to Prevent HIV/AIDS and Family Planning

March 25, 2014
A number of Cuttington students have formed an organization aimed at HIV/AIDS prevention and family planning by conducting educational sessions and condom distribution at local schools, placing condoms at departmental offices at Cuttington University, and condom distribution to high-risk adult populations.They have developed brochures and flyers. Now they are planning to register as an N.G.O. which may help them in getting funds to expand their efforts.How can you not want to assist these young adults?

Students gather to hear the messaage

When you can't get a penis, a banana does just fine

Happy students at Suakoko High School

No one is spared. Even people on motorbikes.

Mentoring Project's Meals

March 27, 2014

Today marks the beginning of the actual mentoring project where university students mentor local grade school children. First reports are very good from both sides. More food prepared then needed, making locals very happy.

Women chopping potato greens which are then mashed, and cooked with chilies, and palm oil. Fish is then added and all served over white rice.

Mentoring Program Kick-Off

March 23, 2014
Some days good things just unexpectedly happen. Today is one of those days.

After several months of planning and frustration the Mentoring Program started, but with great disappointment. Expecting about a hundred university students who indicated a desire to be a mentor, a university auditorium awaiting. Fourteen people appear, mostly from the sponsoring university group.How to handle the expected fifty, maybe more, town primary school students to be mentored?I am in a state of internal panic.Off our small entourage treks the mile to the Sinyea town. But the Women's group whose children are to be mentored are at the house of a sick member. We wait wondering if all is in vain.

While waiting we discuss what to do. A quiet and shy girl says, "Why don't each of us take as many students as we want?" She wants seven. Everyone agrees. Our plans for one-to-one mentoring evaporate.
 shall prevail.

Cuttington University Mentors (one missing)

Registration Site, a local store

Two university students registering their group

Finally the women and children begin to appear, a good sign. One of the mentors begins the group the children by families as individual mentors claim a group. Registration takes place, meal times, and meeting places are established. Pictures are taken. Candles are lit to write down names. Sixty town children are registered. We are off and running. A second mentoring group is scheduled in two weeks.

It is hard to explain what it is like to be in a society so governed by obedience when given the chance a fountain of creativity emerges to solve the problem. For most of these university students, this is their first exposure to life in a rural village and to conduct their mentoring sessions in rural town homes. Many pitfalls lie ahead in the coming weeks, but I feel confident these university students. A second mentoring group is scheduled in two weeks. 

Project One...Done

March 17, 2014

Almost four months to the day after my robbery, the Cuttington Security Force's Employee Handbook is completed. It contains Mission Statements, Objectives, Policies and Procedures for the operation of the security force. Hopefully it gives the Chief of Security the needed authority to dismiss and fine officers who violate policies.Now it needs to be signed off by numerous university officials. Of course the main issue is whether it ever is implemented. But you can't expect too much from a place where rhetoric trumps action. 

Running Water

March 12, 2014

Liberian plumbing system

We often forget the importance of turning on the faucet and getting safe drinking water, but for most of the world water is first hauled out of a deep well by bucket then put into another bucket, carried to a barrel where it is stored. Carrying the water is usually done by younger boys and girls. Here in Liberia it is transported on your head. I suggest you try to lift a full bucket of water over your head, let alone carrying it up a hill for some distance.

My needs are about two-three buckets of water a day which is brought by the young woman who cleans my house. On wash day it is even more. My greatest use of water is to flush the toilet, not unlike America. So I try to follow the adage from California water shortage times, "If its yellow, let it mellow. If its brown, flush it down". Even then, I let the brown stick around.

Returning to campus

 March 10, 2014

Today marks the beginning of classes at Cuttington University. This is after postponing the scheduled opening one week to allow students to return home to get more money to meet the university’s sudden announcement of a greater down payment to enroll and after the passing of another week of schedules classes which neither students nor instructors observe. All this reduces class time by two weeks while fees remain the same.  I am happy not to be a part of that mess again.

There is an excitement about being back on campus and reconnecting students again. If anything the relationships are more relaxed than if I was still an instructor. The wonderful part is their eagerness to participate in one of my programs. It kind of lights a fire under me to get them involved and get others moving.

Today I label as “Condom Day”. I was visited at my house by former Immunology class students who have started and want to expand an HIV/AIDS/Family Planning program to neighboring towns and rural areas. They need some money for travel and other minor expenses. I am trying to get a small grant for them. They left with a case of 3,000 condoms after distributing over 1,000 last semester. They may serve as a model about how to conduct similar training in America. Another case of 3,000 condoms goes to the President of the Student Union Association to support his plans. Finally some students from last year take a few hundred condoms and I see them randomly handing them out to other students as they pass by.

 I enter into a discussion with others about whether distributing condoms simply encourages random sexual behavior. To this I refer to my daughter who works for the Minnesota Aids Project as a case worker who states that many studies have been conducted showing that condom distribution and sex education actually reduces sexual activity. Whether that applies to Liberia, I can’t say, but I can say that awareness of pregnancy prevention and HIV has increased. High school and college students in this area carry condoms along with their cell phones as part of what is important to them. Who knows, maybe they do think twice be ore hormones completely take over their bodies?

The news is also spreading about the opening of “Dr. Nick’s”. It seems like the students really want a more private place off-campus where they can go , have a beer, and relax. It encourages me more as construction moves more slowly than I would like.

Dr. Nick's progress report

March 9, 2014

Any where in this world you go contractors are the same. They say they can do the job, start the project, accept half down, the disappear to another project. Liberia is no different. Despite delays Dr. Nick's continues to be built.

There are no power tools and only the basic hand tools are used. Cement is mixed with a shovel and hauled in a bucket. The carpenter has one saw, a hammer, and measuring tape.

As of today, the walls have all been plastered, ceiling installed, electrical conduit run, and shelving constructed. The cement floor is still not finished. It is beginning to look like something.

Family picking, hauling, and leveling fill dirt in preparation for floor cement. Note Brett Favre jersey.

Cement work starting. Cement applied to walls first to produce a smooth surface.

Outside cement work done. Carpenter building inside shelves.