Monday was to be a heavy labour day at the Tech school and the weather app was calling for 32 degree temperatures, so Fred suggested that we eat at 7:30 and then head out at 8 am. We had been eating at 8:30 and leaving at 9. The plan was to attack the work hard in the morning and then experience the Obwere Monday Market day in the afternoon.
The Fundi and his helper had previously assembled the re-bars and put the frame in place to create a horizontal concrete beam.
Monday’s plan began with consisted mixing concrete on the build concrete floor and then lifting it up in pails to pour the beam that would span the front of the building from container to container.
Part Two of the plan was to work at more sanding of the joint mortaring while we took turns at mixing concrete, manually stirring the gravel, sand, and cement powder with shovels. This was no easy task, with the women really taking this job seriously. As Corliss stated, this may seem like stirring batter, but it is tough! Cement dust blowing around, the weight of the components, the heat and sage shovelling advice from the woman who prepares food on site (Mama Canteen!) to sell to any labourers who are hungry and have money. She offered advice on how to mix the elements of the concrete as well as ergonomic advice on how to bend from the waist and shovel.
Part Three was to take some mortar and pour it into the hollow part of two bricks from floor to top to strengthen the wall in the middle of a longer span. We made a funnel out of a plastic wash bowl by cutting out a 4 inch hole in the middle of the bottom, duct taping it for support, and the holding the hole above the brick, then pouring concrete from the pail. A huge success! It was humorous to see the Tech School students and the Fundi looking at the bowl after we used it, curious as to its purpose.
At around 11 am, Jack (on Steven’s Piki Piki) headed to the livestock market to find and purchase two female goats that he wished to donate to two vulnerable families who could really benefit from them. Steven’s expertise to help choose and then barter for healthy goats who could reproduce was very much appreciated. Steven and Jack then hired two Piki Piki’s to deliver the goats to the Diocese by tying them up and then putting them on the back seat of the bikes! One woman came to the Diocese to pick up her goat. It was her and her family that we built the mud hut for on Saturday, and the other woman was a recipient of a mud hut we built several years ago. Jack and Steven delivered the second goat to the second family on Steven’s Piki Piki.
The outdoor temperature at 7:30 am breakfast was 16 degrees, but by 10:30 am, it was around 28. At noon, it was 32 and we were ready for cold sodas, a shower, and lunch. We left the site at 12:30 with the plans for the morning completed.
After lunch, the Team minus Terry headed to the market with Simeon, the Guest House Mgr. acting as guide, interpreter and pricing watchdog. Mzungos are natural targets for doubling prices since it is hard for us to blend in!
Terry went to the bank with Fred since the CACHA transfer was now available. He then stopped at Connie Megatti’s Duka (store) to pick up and pay for the order of school supplies to fill the backpacks. Since Samwel Ogoya, KMT Hospital Maintenance Mgr. had requested Terry bring some replacement rechargeable batteries for his DeWalt and Ridgid electric tools, Terry took some time to deliver those as well.
Then off to play ping pong with Challo, Fred Chacha (CEO of the Tina School and nephew of the Founder,) and some of the team. With our busy schedule, the Team needing rest time, and several local players not available, we haven’t played much ping pong, but Terry remembered Fred Chacha as being a challenge on previous visits and this year was no exception. The Tanzania bounce (cracks and holes in the table causing occasional unexpected trajectories) was in full bloom, but Terry was able to defend the Canadian honor with a close 2-0 win. We finished off with a game of round the table spelling the word "Twende" which means "Let's go!"
Two more days to get things done. It is hard to believe that we are this far into the Project, but we are feeling satisfied with our accomplishments to date.
The Fundi and his helper had previously assembled the re-bars and put the frame in place to create a horizontal concrete beam.
Monday’s plan began with consisted mixing concrete on the build concrete floor and then lifting it up in pails to pour the beam that would span the front of the building from container to container.
Part Two of the plan was to work at more sanding of the joint mortaring while we took turns at mixing concrete, manually stirring the gravel, sand, and cement powder with shovels. This was no easy task, with the women really taking this job seriously. As Corliss stated, this may seem like stirring batter, but it is tough! Cement dust blowing around, the weight of the components, the heat and sage shovelling advice from the woman who prepares food on site (Mama Canteen!) to sell to any labourers who are hungry and have money. She offered advice on how to mix the elements of the concrete as well as ergonomic advice on how to bend from the waist and shovel.
Part Three was to take some mortar and pour it into the hollow part of two bricks from floor to top to strengthen the wall in the middle of a longer span. We made a funnel out of a plastic wash bowl by cutting out a 4 inch hole in the middle of the bottom, duct taping it for support, and the holding the hole above the brick, then pouring concrete from the pail. A huge success! It was humorous to see the Tech School students and the Fundi looking at the bowl after we used it, curious as to its purpose.
At around 11 am, Jack (on Steven’s Piki Piki) headed to the livestock market to find and purchase two female goats that he wished to donate to two vulnerable families who could really benefit from them. Steven’s expertise to help choose and then barter for healthy goats who could reproduce was very much appreciated. Steven and Jack then hired two Piki Piki’s to deliver the goats to the Diocese by tying them up and then putting them on the back seat of the bikes! One woman came to the Diocese to pick up her goat. It was her and her family that we built the mud hut for on Saturday, and the other woman was a recipient of a mud hut we built several years ago. Jack and Steven delivered the second goat to the second family on Steven’s Piki Piki.
The outdoor temperature at 7:30 am breakfast was 16 degrees, but by 10:30 am, it was around 28. At noon, it was 32 and we were ready for cold sodas, a shower, and lunch. We left the site at 12:30 with the plans for the morning completed.
After lunch, the Team minus Terry headed to the market with Simeon, the Guest House Mgr. acting as guide, interpreter and pricing watchdog. Mzungos are natural targets for doubling prices since it is hard for us to blend in!
Terry went to the bank with Fred since the CACHA transfer was now available. He then stopped at Connie Megatti’s Duka (store) to pick up and pay for the order of school supplies to fill the backpacks. Since Samwel Ogoya, KMT Hospital Maintenance Mgr. had requested Terry bring some replacement rechargeable batteries for his DeWalt and Ridgid electric tools, Terry took some time to deliver those as well.
Then off to play ping pong with Challo, Fred Chacha (CEO of the Tina School and nephew of the Founder,) and some of the team. With our busy schedule, the Team needing rest time, and several local players not available, we haven’t played much ping pong, but Terry remembered Fred Chacha as being a challenge on previous visits and this year was no exception. The Tanzania bounce (cracks and holes in the table causing occasional unexpected trajectories) was in full bloom, but Terry was able to defend the Canadian honor with a close 2-0 win. We finished off with a game of round the table spelling the word "Twende" which means "Let's go!"
Two more days to get things done. It is hard to believe that we are this far into the Project, but we are feeling satisfied with our accomplishments to date.
Fundi standing on the beam form The Team women mixing cement Mama Canteen
veryone is busy Corliss mixing cement Amazing Fred Otieno
(More on him tomorrow!)
(More on him tomorrow!)
Putting mortar down the hole Shirati Funnel Meeting Leonida (cook) at market
Have goat, will travel Previous Hut Build recipient Saturday Hut Build recipient
Terry and Fred Chacha Round Table "Twende"