Before… and …After
It’s almost indescribable the transformation that took place at the house where Jamie grew up into what is now the Sarobidy Maternity Center. I think Rota, our Malagasy midwife said it best after living in the house for a few months before and during the construction and renovations… her words to be exact, “I felt like I was living in a house within a horror movie”. Note that Rota comes from a lower middle class Malagasy home where she grew up in a family of 7 in a small two-room house (note, not 2 bedroom… but 2 room). So, you can only imagine her standards are not Western American standards.
We started renovations in late December 2012, opened the center in May 2013 and completed the last of the renovations and painting in August 2013– it was a challenging and rewarding 9 months. And it couldn’t have been done without the help of so many… it truly takes a village to open a maternity center! There’s still much to be done upon our arrival back to the red island, such as laying tile throughout the house and ripping out the showers and installing a birth tub, etc, but so far the transformation is pretty incredible. But don’t take our word for it, have a look….
FRONT OF HOUSE–
before…
…after
SIDE OF HOUSE–
before…
…after
BACK CORNER OF HOUSE–
before…
…after
…after (other corner)
BACK OF HOUSE–
before…
…after
THE OUTER WALLS–
before…
…after
THE OUTSIDE ELECTRICAL BOX–
before…
…after
PRENATAL ROOM (formerly Jamie’s room as a kid)
before…
…after
…after
…after
…after
BIRTH ROOM– (formerly Jamie’s parent’s room)
before…
…during
…after
HALLWAY–
before…
…after
HALLWAY– (other direction)
before…
during…
…after
LIVING ROOM–
before…
…after
OFFICE– (now the office for the Sarobidy Maternity Center as well as Eden Reforestation Projects)
KITCHEN–
before…
during…
…after
BATHROOM–
before…
…after
unfortunately we don’t have any after pictures but the change is remarkable! there’s still much to do with ripping out the shower tile and replacing it as well as hiding all those ugly pipes!
EDUCATION ROOM– (outside)
before…
again, unfortunately we don’t have any before pictures but we do have the after…
…after
EDUCATION ROOM– (inside)
before…
again no pictures but… we doubled the size of the windows, added windows on the opposite side, painted, rewired the electricity, added raffia walls from the top of the container walls on each side (left and right) to the bottom of the ceiling, had benches made and painted the benches (gavin discovered the wet oil-based paint and wasn’t too happy!)
during….
during…
…after
GARAGE–
before…
unfortunately we don’t have any before but…
during….
…after
ADEL’S HOUSE– (Adel is the sweet woman who lives on the maternity center property and cares for the inside of the maternity house)
before…
(note Adel’s kitchen made out of tin on the right)
during…
…after (note Adel’s new kitchen on the right)
during (inside)…
after (inside)…
ADEL’S KITCHEN–
before…
…after!!!
We think it’s pretty great… and there’s no more horror movies here!
Wow wow wow! What a ton of hard work. It’s BEAUTIFUL. Your great decorating taste shines through, Alissa! t’s amazing to see you using your gifts to serve the Malagasy people. Your family has such a legacy there and I’m so glad to be a part of seeing the Kingdom work done through you. Much love!
AMAZING! I had no idea how much work you were doing. What memories these pictures evoke! We can’t wait to see it in person! Praying for the women, babies and families who will be nurtured within these walls!
Incredible work you guys!!! Looks fabulous! What lucky babies that get to begin their lives with you.
I am amazed at the transformation of the house!!! Love the choice of colors and paintings!! May the same kind of transformation continuie to take place in the lives of those whom will enter it’s doors!! God continues to amaze me when I see what He accomplishes through willing hearts!!
I am stunned. What a marvelous transformation. Praise God for willing hands and resources to accomplish this miracle of love. Great job everyone. What a loving and caring God we serve.
Wow!!! This looks GREAT!
Giving God all the praise! Lots of prayer. Lots of work! Lots of planning! Lots of vision! Lots of willing hands that traveled half way around the world to participate! Lots of blessing! Lots of love and now lots of hope, healthy moms and healthy babies.
This is amazing! It’s so fun to see what God is doing through all of you there!