Updates from the blog of Project Construction Manager, Ken Potter:

Work is getting in full gear on the foundation. If you look closely in the picture you will see a continuous line of 10″ boards, these are the formwork that outline the footprint of the building and will hold the 10″ thick concrete which will fill the entire area inside this formwork, resulting in the platea – an enormous large footer upon which the building will rest. Of course, before the concrete there is much work to be done that will require a couple of months to complete.

A panorama photo of the site – photo taken soon after a heavy thunderstorm came through.
View looks from southeast to northwes with the highway on the right side (NW direction).

89 columns are being fabricated using rebar. These require 10 20′ pieces of 1/2″ rebar and are tied together with 3/8″ rebar. These will be positioned in place when rebar is being placed and tied together in the platea/foundation.

And because we want to be well grounded…

Thermite welding: serious soldering of the grounding wire. FIRE IN THE HOLE!

Currently a grounding system is being put in place that will ground all electrical devices, minimize the chances of static electricity and offer the best grounding protection possible for the workers and patients as well as the electronic equipment that will be in the building. This includes a thick copper wire that runs the perimeter of the platea and is using a process called Exothermic or Thermite Welding which makes an excellent connection between the copper wire and the 10′ (deep) copper grounding rods spaced around the building.

A closeup of the form work and electrical ditch. This ditch runs the perimeter of the platea and is for a thick copper cable that has 10′ grounding rods evenly spaced around the platea.

Financial Progress

We want to say thank you once again to all who have contributed to the project so far! Please see our most current financial numbers as of September 30, 2015:

As always, please keep in mind that there are many ways you can get involved! Please consider the following options for how you can make a difference:

PRAY – We covet your prayers for this project! Pray for the safety of construction teams on the job site and for our ongoing financial needs to complete the budget. Pray for the lives that will be touched for years to come and ask that God will use the clinic as an incredible tool to reach and help the lost in the San Juan region.

SERVE – Join a construction team! Lead a construction team! We have a great need for laborers right now and would love to have you and your friends, family, church, and co-workers get some hands-on involvement! To learn more, contact Kamanda at kbucher@solidrockinternational.org!

SHARE – Help spread the word! If you believe in the importance of the REVOLUTION, please share it with your friends and family! Social media is a great way to do this. Please “Like” and share the Solid Rock International Facebook posts and pictures to help spread awareness to as many as possible!

GIVE – Consider how you and your family can sacrificially give financially to the project in the form of a one-time donation or pledge to help us complete the project budget! You can give online, over the phone (419-956-4077), or by sending a check to: SOLID ROCK INTERNATIONAL, PO Box 20867, Indianapolis, IN 46220.

Thanks for your continued support and for following along on this amazing journey to better healthcare in the Dominican Republic!