BLANCHISSEUSE, Trinidad and Tobago − Looking out over a cliff, the leaves of palm trees sway in the wind, and coconuts lie on the ground ready to seed the next generation of trees. Further back from the cliff sits an old multicolored concrete building. Inside are desks, chairs, chalkboards, and other common school house items. The structure is the Blanchisseuse Primary School in rural Trinidad and Tobago.
For many years the school, which also serves as an emergency shelter for the community, has been in need of repairs. Rusted old galvanized lead pipes make up a majority of the building's plumbing. Hanging overhead are large drywall ceilings damaged from leaking water.
Two months into Trinidad and Tobago's rainy season, partial repairs began on Aug. 6. Making the repairs were members of the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force and 11 engineers from the Delaware National Guard. The DNG Service Members arrived in country as part of the State Partnership Program. "This project will allow us to not only work together but more importantly to be able to learn from each other and be able to exchange best practices," said TTDF engineers commander Col. Peter Sealy.
Work began with replacing the aging metal pipes with newer PVC piping. The new pipes will last longer and not rust compared to galvanized lead pipes, said Spc. Nicholas Porcellini. Next came the new ceiling. Dropped ceiling panels replaced the rotting drywall pieces.The new panels will make it easier to perform repairs when one of the panels is damaged.
The repairs are significant as the Trinidad government pushes to make every school in the nation ready for students. The American ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, John F. Estrada, also visited the site while the service members worked. "This is truly a great a project," Estrada said. "It's targeted the future leaders of your country."