Construction Has Begun

The school is really starting to take shape! It's been a long road - now finally there is something really tangible taking place. Secure storage shed constructed, septic tank dug (for now only for storing water for concreting), timber, cement, aggregate, back fill, bricks and blocks, water tanks and a tent all now delivered on site. Marking out and framing of the substructures done, foundation trenchs dug, footings poured and brick and block work underway!

The very first step.

The machete is a very versatile tool. Sharpening timber posts to a point - no problem!

Dormitories all marked out.

Beautiful Mt Meru is always in the background somewhere.

The local villagers are being utilised for unskilled work as much as possible. Men women and donkeys all in the act - supplementing the village incomes in a big way.

Water tanks are VIP's - arriving via their own personal transport.

Digging out the septic tank - all by hand - it's a great achievement. There's a competition on to see who can throw the soil the furthest. Technique is critical!

Concrete for the foundations is all mixed and transported around the site by hand. These guys work so hard.

And the tent - donated by safari and Kilimanjaro tour operator - Snow Africa Adventures. The site is a long way from the town so we arranged for the tent, bought 10 mattresses and some of the workers now sleep overnight to save time and their cost of transport. This was a fantastic idea Jo!

It's the weekend so the school principals are also on the job. Jacob treading warily......