By CV Project Manager Johny Siman

Even though Tropical Storm Alex (the first one of the year) brought us lots of rain during the month of June, we have picked up the pace thanks to the new superintendent, Architect Ayerdis.

We started the month of June with a visit from Clinica Verde's Founder Susan Dix Lyons, who inspected the site and had a full agenda working with Health Ministry officials preparing for clinic operations.

New experienced albañiles (masonries) were brought in and have sped up the construction working with walls, beams and finishes. We continue raising walls throughout the building and some crown beams have already been installed. We have begun the first finish on the walls that are up, which consists of a mortar made out of a mixture of sand and cement. The second and final finish will go on once the roof is on.

We have finished the rebar cage on the cistern, which took 30,000 pounds of steel. We started placing the metal forms on the cistern and we expect to fill the concrete walls this week with 55 cubic meters of concrete, so we are praying for good weather.

We now have our electrical transformer installed and are waiting for the electrical company to install the service meter. Electrical tubing and accessories as well as plumbing (including potable and sewer) are being installed simultaneously.

Last but now least, we hired a bulldozer to level out the rest of the land where the Eco Garden will be built.

NOTE: We've raised about 90% of our construction goal, but still have about $23,000 to go to complete our construction budget. This doesn't include our Administration and Operating expenses, so we have lots of work to do! We really need your help. Please contact us if you know any supporters who can assist us in our goal – individuals, small family foundations, businesses with an interest in doing good. We appreciate every suggestion!

I want to help Clinica Verde.

Sally Tantau and her husband Bill live near Graeagle, CA., where they are both activily involved as board members of the Mohawk Valley Stewardship Council. They have two daughters, Margo and Shelley, and one glorious grandson, Cooper.

"I was asked WHY I wanted to support Clinica Verde and I answered, WHY NOT? So many folks in the world are simply not born into the healthy situations that most of the supporters of this project have known forever. I take good medicine for granted -- don't you? I know emergency help is only a phone call away -- don't you? Not so in the parts of Latin America that Clinica Verde will serve. Maternal and infant care is frequently not even a possiblity. Death, deformity, severe illness is a sad and tragic and all too frequent reality.

"By joining Clinica Verde, even my pennies may soon be helping a child, a mother, a family in my neighboring country. As our world seemingly becomes smaller, we become much more aware of the real needs of other human beings.

"You and I each MUST CARE! Some can give large gifts of money and thus this project got started. Bless those folks! Many of us can contribute monthly and by doing so increase our giving and are reminded at least monthly of one of the finest non profit organizations in our world. I borrow from the words of Kahlil Gibran in his book, The Prophet: 'You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. ... There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.'

"It is a privilege to give to Clinca Verde, to help a life, to maybe save a life.

"Give little or give big. GIVE LIFE!"

I'd like to give too!