Orphanage Not Quite in Crisis

UPDATE: You can watch a video Quito did of the roof at the bottom of this post or here.

When Allen jumped onto our latest call, the first thing he said was, “We did a blog post once called ‘Orphanage in Crisis.” We need to call this one ‘Orphanage Not Quite in Crisis!’” Then there was further discussion and it was agreed that there needed to be two titles, like in the old Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoons. The second title is “We’re Against Soggy Orphans.” (Thanks, Trish!)

(I don't have any photos of soggy orphans or orphanages,
so here are photos of mountains instead - Kay) 

Unless you are brand spankin’ new to Sowers4Pastors, you already know that one component of their ministry involves new roofs. Construction begins at the beginning of each dry season. Typically, the ministry does 10-12 church roofs every year, along with 1-2 school roofs. Some of these roofs are topping off new constructions. Others are replacing leaky old roofs on existing buildings. The requests for this year’s roofs have been rolling in. This year, an orphanage/children’s home approached the ministry. And, as we’ve already established, we’re against soggy orphans!

This particular orphanage, located in the city of Gracias, is for emergency care. It’s the first stop on the way to a more permanent situation, such as foster care or a long-term orphanage. It’s also a place where people take kids who are not thriving physically to receive renutrition. In the U.S., “renutrition” is a term normally reserved for people in treatment for anorexia nervosa. In Honduras, it is unfortunately needed for children who aren’t receiving adequate nutrition in their daily diets. In other words, the orphanage making the request is doing important work.

The current roof on the orphanage is deteriorating well beyond acceptable levels. It has been patched and patched again. Then there’s the little problem that the current roofing is asbestos. Allen was a little concerned about mentioning the asbestos in this post because he doesn’t want to come across as an alarmist or as being overly dramatic. So, in an effort to present a balanced picture, it is true that asbestos is a material that has been used for ages because it is a good insulator, it’s durable, and resistant to damage from fire and termites. On the other side, there’s the whole cancer risk thing, the fact that asbestos is difficult to repair, and the fact that the roof in question is so old that bits of it are flaking off and falling inside. So, there you have it. No one is trying to fear-monger, but sometimes things are just SKEERY!

The ministry is currently in the process of raising support to help fill their current requests for roofs. This is an opportunity for people to jump in and help Sowers4Pastors install not only church and school roofs, but also an orphanage roof. The price of the alloy-zinc roofing the ministry uses has doubled in the past three years. In 2019, 3-sq-ft of material cost $1. Now, even at $2 for the same amount, it still sounds like quite the bargain. Sowers4Pastors can roof a decent-sized church that can seat 250 people for $2000. That’s $8 a person. It will be a few dollars per orphan to put a leak-proof, non-cancer causing, solid roof over the heads. If you dislike soggy orphans as much as Sowers4Pastors does, please step up to donate to this orphanage that is not quite in crisis.

- posted by Christi