Volunteers Arrive

The first construction volunteers to arrive on this project were Alice and Richard from Arup, with Peter from Davis Langdon hot on their heels. They were inducted and got quickly to work on whatever Foreman Aggrey had for them to do. Over the past two weeks they have been doing soil shrinkage tests, bending steel with Biladi, bailing water, oiling timber, shifting soil, surveying, and mucking in with the gangs digging the drainage swales. They have been a real boost to the project in mutual inspiration with the local work force, particularly the community gang labour.

Ok so we haven’t poured the concrete for the first foundation, but we are so close, despite the first rains (perfectly timed!) in months which flooded our efforts two nights in a row!

The carpenters (Matthew, Emmanuel, Ampong) spent two weeks building the formwork, and it is now beautifully true, cleaned, oiled, and well supporting in its trench.

The steel benders (Biladi with help from plumber and apprentice steel bender, Nana) spent two weeks building the cages which are now gleaming and snugly spaced inside the formwork.

We finally have agreement with the community over the provision of water to the site.

The sand (quarry dust), cement, and pozzolana (cement replacement) are all ready.

It is just the stone aggregate which is missing and the cement mixer has a small mechanical fault. The hope is that these will be sorted tomorrow ready for pouring Monday.... to be confirmed!

Meanwhile at the Islamic school (in which we live), the children got their mock exam results and despite some very strong performances, they were caned for poor results. Caning is a common form of discipline here, but it is being fought by charities, teaching volunteers and strong-willed Ghanaians. We decided to lift the mood by putting on a movie night. With the projector from the office, the electricity stayed on for the entire showing of Prince of Persia. The 30-strong audience depleted as tiredness set in, but they laughed and were shocked in all the right places.


Here are some photos. Please view by SET.