Its hard to believe I've already been here for a week. Time is flying by. I'm already beginning to look forward to my trip north to Uganda...not because I dont enjoy being here, its just that going to Uganda will be a bit more adventurous. I dont know anyone up there.
Well, I've been working hard in the wood shop and am happy to report that I have successfully constructed 24 shelves where students will be able to store their shoes and hang their coats. I dont have any pictures at the moment but I'll take some tomorrow. With the help of two others I took an entire day to clean and organize the wood shop. It was so cluttered with scraps of wood and sawdust that it made safe and efficient work difficult. I've become familiar with the shop now and I'm able to work pretty quickly. I wish I had that shop back home...its great. Tomorrow I'll begin building cabinets with doors for the teachers.
The schools construction had a big week...they got their first primary school building slab poured. Its really something to see these local crews working. What they lack in technology they make up for with man power. On the pour day the normal crew was supplemented with 15 or 20 guys from the neighborhood. All the concrete was mixed by hand and a placed with a wheel barrow. These guys really work hard. Even though the pour was relatively small it was spread over 3 days to minimize any damage should a rain storm appear. Now that the slab is complete, I've got two helpers with me in the shop...two local guys from the regular crew. Their names are Freddy and Benjamin. They both speak a little bit of English and they're both very smart and eager. It should be a lot of fun working with these guys.
I tagged along with Ian, the project manager, on his way to the brick factory yesterday. 17,000 bricks had been delivered to the school during the course of the week and he had to go pay the bill. The factory was pretty neat...and simple. There was one machine that was given a constant supply of clay and it would then in turn extrude the bricks. Each day the factory produces about 16000 bricks and the kiln, about 50 yards long, is fired once a week. The factory produces nearly 100000 bricks a week. Its the only brick factory around and business is booming. It was neat to see.
Tomorrow I'm heading to the genocide museum in Kigali. I've been looking forward to visiting and I think it will be a neat experience. This coming Monday is the national genocide memorial day which means for many people a break from work.
One final note...I received a comment with a correction to something I had written earlier. I said there were no sidewalks in Kigali...that is, as my anonymous friend pointed out, untrue. There are in fact perfectly good sidewalks on the main roads of Kigali, however, many people opt not to use them.
Well, I've been working hard in the wood shop and am happy to report that I have successfully constructed 24 shelves where students will be able to store their shoes and hang their coats. I dont have any pictures at the moment but I'll take some tomorrow. With the help of two others I took an entire day to clean and organize the wood shop. It was so cluttered with scraps of wood and sawdust that it made safe and efficient work difficult. I've become familiar with the shop now and I'm able to work pretty quickly. I wish I had that shop back home...its great. Tomorrow I'll begin building cabinets with doors for the teachers.
The schools construction had a big week...they got their first primary school building slab poured. Its really something to see these local crews working. What they lack in technology they make up for with man power. On the pour day the normal crew was supplemented with 15 or 20 guys from the neighborhood. All the concrete was mixed by hand and a placed with a wheel barrow. These guys really work hard. Even though the pour was relatively small it was spread over 3 days to minimize any damage should a rain storm appear. Now that the slab is complete, I've got two helpers with me in the shop...two local guys from the regular crew. Their names are Freddy and Benjamin. They both speak a little bit of English and they're both very smart and eager. It should be a lot of fun working with these guys.
I tagged along with Ian, the project manager, on his way to the brick factory yesterday. 17,000 bricks had been delivered to the school during the course of the week and he had to go pay the bill. The factory was pretty neat...and simple. There was one machine that was given a constant supply of clay and it would then in turn extrude the bricks. Each day the factory produces about 16000 bricks and the kiln, about 50 yards long, is fired once a week. The factory produces nearly 100000 bricks a week. Its the only brick factory around and business is booming. It was neat to see.
Tomorrow I'm heading to the genocide museum in Kigali. I've been looking forward to visiting and I think it will be a neat experience. This coming Monday is the national genocide memorial day which means for many people a break from work.
One final note...I received a comment with a correction to something I had written earlier. I said there were no sidewalks in Kigali...that is, as my anonymous friend pointed out, untrue. There are in fact perfectly good sidewalks on the main roads of Kigali, however, many people opt not to use them.
a better picture of the primary school
mixing conrete by hand
the brick factory
sidewalks in Kigali
5 comments:
Philip,
I am curious about the mission of the school and who the students are that they serve. Can you fill me in?
Are most of the teachers Canadians or Americans? Are any of the teachers local nationals?
Mom
Hey Phil,
It's great reading about the good time your having! (and seeing your pics!)
When you head to Uganda, look up Brad and Alicia Crawford.. They are over there working on a project with EMI. I think you would hit it off well with Brad...They are from my church and we have friends in common.
Have a great day!
Meagan
Hey Philip, it's inspiring to see how God is using your time for the good of Kigali people.
By the way, sweet pics!
Stephen.
Phil,
Sounds like your having a great time over there. It's been a pleasure reading your posts...makes me wish I wasn't living in LA.
Anyone play soccer out there? You going to be able to show them some of your skills?
Enjoy the museum....look forward to reading about it.
Let us know if there are some specific ways we can pray for you.
Love you bro...
Matt
Way cool! I liked hearing about the construction! Great pictures too!
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