The day began with an excellent breakfast of Chipata (thick, deep fried crepe), hard boiled eggs, and instant pure African coffee. With fuel in our bellies, we set off with excitement to the build site at Bishop Kisare Technical School. After a quick look around, we got started right away carrying the 25 pound bricks a distance of about 150 meters from the production location to the foundation of the new classroom building. Spirits and energy were high! The bricks are a new kind of brick, not used on a build site before, made with plastic molds that result in a product looking much like a Lego brick. This new brick style is lighter, and allows for electrical and plumbing lines to be run through the hollow centres of the bricks. As we began to build the walls of the classroom, our veteran Lego builder, Jack, quickly recognized that there was a right way and a wrong way to lay the bricks. Overcoming language barriers Jack, along with the Fundi (site foreman), and some help with translating through Fred, solved the problem, and the walls began to take shape. After some brick laying, and sanding of the end seams with rocks, the next stage of the build needed to take place. Two 20 foot sea containers needed to be moved a distance of about 200 metres to become the end walls of the classroom. Fred had tried to arrange to rent a crane from the local hydro company, but they were away on another job, so problem solving for Plan B began!
Plan B
Plan B was a result of one of Fred Otieno's many Shirati connections. He was able to rent a medium sized four wheel drive John Deere tractor and it was used to drag the containers from their location on the school grounds to the foundation floor of the new classroom building. The driver that came with the tractor was a bit rambunctious, so Fred asked if Terry would consider driving it for the sensitive task of placing the containers without knocking down the new walls. And Terry's answer? But of course!
So the interesting process of carefully pushing and pulling the container with a wooden beam or a chain began, with up to 15 different bosses yelling "Go" or "Stop" at the same time. Despite the confusion of many commands, the containers were positioned properly. I am pleased to say that no limbs or lives were lost during the placement of the containers, even though the original driver knocked two observers/helpers off the side of the foundation when he forgot that the tractor was still in gear and released the clutch!.
Meanwhile, back at the compound where all the Days For Girls (DFG) suitcases were being stored, Jane, Corliss and Leisha went through each of them separating the DFG kits from the mix of tools, backpacks, and other supplies that we added to them to let us bring more materials while staying under 50 lbs per bag. Leisha's children Wesley (Gr.3) and Inno (Gr. 9) were very helpful at counting kits out loud together and making sure all items sorted in each case were the same size and editing the numbers stated on the labels of each suitcase in preparation for our first distribution to occur on Wednesday
As you can see by the photos, we had an extremely positive day. Can't wait for tomorrow!
Plan B
Plan B was a result of one of Fred Otieno's many Shirati connections. He was able to rent a medium sized four wheel drive John Deere tractor and it was used to drag the containers from their location on the school grounds to the foundation floor of the new classroom building. The driver that came with the tractor was a bit rambunctious, so Fred asked if Terry would consider driving it for the sensitive task of placing the containers without knocking down the new walls. And Terry's answer? But of course!
So the interesting process of carefully pushing and pulling the container with a wooden beam or a chain began, with up to 15 different bosses yelling "Go" or "Stop" at the same time. Despite the confusion of many commands, the containers were positioned properly. I am pleased to say that no limbs or lives were lost during the placement of the containers, even though the original driver knocked two observers/helpers off the side of the foundation when he forgot that the tractor was still in gear and released the clutch!.
Meanwhile, back at the compound where all the Days For Girls (DFG) suitcases were being stored, Jane, Corliss and Leisha went through each of them separating the DFG kits from the mix of tools, backpacks, and other supplies that we added to them to let us bring more materials while staying under 50 lbs per bag. Leisha's children Wesley (Gr.3) and Inno (Gr. 9) were very helpful at counting kits out loud together and making sure all items sorted in each case were the same size and editing the numbers stated on the labels of each suitcase in preparation for our first distribution to occur on Wednesday
As you can see by the photos, we had an extremely positive day. Can't wait for tomorrow!
The foundation at our start Jack, Corliss, Terry removing brick Brick transport molds from the brick
Doug and Terry volume carry! Lego Jack! Wesley, Inno, Tammy, Terry
Precision placement Jane and Inno Counting DFG kits End of Day bird view!