Raising the roof!

This is the latest picture just arrived from India, showing the first-floor roof, which has been cast this week! So work is really going fast now and we're right on schedule with construction - and very special thanks to both Deepak and Hetal Amin, who has been helping us on site! More photographs later, but just wanted to let readers have an update ...

Picture update - to show how far we've come!

Just a quick collage to show you how work is progressing, with the latest picture in the centre. We've come from an empty plot (top centre), to digging for water, installing electricity, the puja (top left) and laying of the foundation stone; beginning construction, putting the roof on the ground floor .... and now work on the first floor is in full swing (centre).

Onwards and upwards ... work on first floor

Hope that you have all had a peaceful time during the holiday season. As we get to the end of December, you can see that work is progressing really well on the hospital and that construction is no going ahead on the first floor. This is how the building looks right now and Deepak has just sent these photographs from India.

I was there just a month ago (in fact I landed in Delhi on 28th November) and you can see how work has progressed since our last blog entry. We are hoping to have the roof on the first floor by the end of the month and will keep you posted, so do check in again later this week.

We would also like to say a big thank you to all who have donated over the holiday period - every penny counts and we are very grateful to all our benefactors! We are now looking at names for the hospital, and would like to hear from any of you who have suggestions.

Deepak and Charlotte

All this in a week!!

In just a week, the hospital has got its first-floor roof! It's incredible... so I'm not going to write a long entry here, just show you the pictures.

29th November 2009 - only left wing constructed

30th November 2009 - showing construction of right wing

3rd December 2009 - both wings constructed

5th December 2009 - cement being carried to the roof

5th December 2009 - smoothing the cement on the roof

Just arrived in Udaipur!

I've just arrived from England and have visited our site to see how building is progressing - and progressing it is as you will see from these pictures. I will be giving a full update in the next couple of days, so will leave you with these images in the meantime.

Dr Deepak Babel (right) on site with the contractors

You've had the plans .... now look at this!!

Just a few days ago we posted news about water and electricity, but now building work has really begun!! Deepak just sent these pictures from India and we will be posting as often as we can now to show you how work is progressing. I know how fast projects progress in India, and think you will all be amazed at what you see in the next few weeks, so PLEASE log in regularly and do tell your friends about The Raven Foundation.

At this rate we'll be up and running early in 2010 - if any of you are planning to visit India on your gap year, we'd be really pleased to see you in Udaipur - and with tourist season just beginning, any of our fans are welcome to visit if in the area. Please contact us and let us know your plans and we can show you the site.

Hope you'll log in regularly because each day will bring change for the Foundation.... so watch this space.

Best wishes to you all,

Deepak and Charlotte

Plans unveiled ... water and electricity on site!

This is a great day for The Raven Foundation and here is the first picture of how the hospital is going to look! We posted a few weeks ago to let you know that construction has begun on the hospital and are now putting up some more images - there is now water on site and electricity - and once the important Diwali Festival is over, building will begin. We know that to most of you, this still looks like a piece of land with a few holes in the ground, but PLEASE check in when you have time, because there will be many more pictures in the next few weeks!!

New electricity poles (on right)

Boring holes for foundations

Deepak has been working incredibly hard and I wish I could be there with him to help, but I'm staying in the UK for a bit because we have a lot going on here and I'm busy fund-raising. You will start to see progress in the next few weeks and we will post regularly on the blog - Deepak will be taking photographs so you can see how the building is progressing ... so watch this space!