LangfordB次元官网网址檚 orphanage project in Haiti has come to fruition B次元官网网址� the prefabricated building is up and on track for completion in December.

Initially planned as a six month humanitarian mission, rebuilding the Mayotte orphanage has stretched over two years as Langford negotiated the slow and difficult bureaucracy of the earthquake-ravaged nation. The occasion threat of a voodoo curse didnB次元官网网址檛 help either.

B次元官网网址淔rom a building standpoint, itB次元官网网址檚 not as quick as weB次元官网网址檇 hoped, but if you look at all weB次元官网网址檝e accomplished in one and and a half years, itB次元官网网址檚 substantial,B次元官网网址� Langford fire Chief Bob Beckett, one of the key orphanage project organizers.

B次元官网网址淭hey are making good progress on the building. I think it will be completed in late December.B次元官网网址�

Langford signed off on a $141,000 contract with Virginia-based Shelter2Homes last year, a company with experience shipping goods into Haiti. ItB次元官网网址檚 nearly finished the metal-framed building that will house the dining hall, kitchen, classroom nunB次元官网网址檚 quarters and chapel. The company already built new dormitories on the site, in partnership with a UN team from Italy.

B次元官网网址淭he kids have gone from the old building to tents, and now to bunk beds and mattresses in a clean room. TheyB次元官网网址檝e come full circle,B次元官网网址� Beckett said. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 much better facilities than when we first arrived.B次元官网网址�

Langford volunteers have made four trips to Haiti in the past two years, installing a municipal water line and water tank, rebuilding a wall and repairing latrines, while also preparing logistics for follow up trips. From digging holes to installing a new toilet, nothing is easy in Haiti, Beckett said, and everything needs to be planned well in advance.

Beckett, Glenwood Meats owner Rick Fisher, firefighter Steve Adams and retired Langford building inspector Dan Reynolds will return to Haiti this month. They plan to fix the septic field, liaise with the RCMP and Canadian Forces officers in Haiti  and price out future needs, such as classroom supplies and furniture.

B次元官网网址淲e will determine B次元官网网址榖utton upB次元官网网址� needs. You just canB次元官网网址檛 go and stuff gets done,B次元官网网址� Beckett said. B次元官网网址淵ou have to set the stage and do logistics ahead of time. ItB次元官网网址檚 still a difficult place to work.B次元官网网址�

Beckett is a familiar face at the orphanage, now on his fifth trip to Haiti. Despite the hardships of working in the countryside of Port au Prince, the orphans make a compelling reason to return.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 impossible not to love those kids,B次元官网网址� Beckett said. B次元官网网址淭here will be times we get to be like dad, where we get to enjoy hospitality and sharing with the orphans. ItB次元官网网址檚 a always celebration.B次元官网网址�

Over the years, local schools and citizens have been generous in supplying funds, toys and equipment B次元官网网址� theyB次元官网网址檙e taking down a load of soccer and tennis balls this time around B次元官网网址� and 42 light wool beenies, hand knit by a 91-year-old Cathy Fortune.

She even varied the sizes and used colours that would appeal to boys and girls.

B次元官网网址淚 thought it was wonderful they were building an orphanage,B次元官网网址� said Fortune, who lives in Langford. B次元官网网址淜nitting gives me something to do and it doesnB次元官网网址檛 cost a lot. ItB次元官网网址檚 the least I can do.B次元官网网址�

Fore more see www.teamhaitichildren.com.