The first week of work is complete.We started work on Monday surveying the land and then on Tuesday organising the materials and labour. On Wednesday we started with our workmen. 5 tradesmen, 1 watchman and 1 interpretor. We also had 3 armed policemen present to keep order. The policemen should also be present both day and night once the 40' container arrives from the UK.
We agreed that work would be 5 days per week so that we and our workmen can spend time with our families. The great thing is that all the workmen live in the community. This has two main advantages. We want to be able to improve the lives of the community and also the workmen know that the safety of the site is important as it represents their livelihood.
Friday was pay day which was a very humbling experience as I worked side by side with these men. They worked really hard for three days in the blistering sun and heat getting really dirty. Each of the tradesmen received the equivalent of £4. To them this is a good wage for three days and will allow them to purchase the essentials.
The mat sheets, that you can see being used for the fence, are 3m long by 2m high. Initially we have had them make 66 of these which was ordered and payed for before we left the UK. Each sheet must take a fair bit of time to make as they are hand woven. Each sheet cost £2.60 to make.
The temporary fence will help to keep the site safe. We hope to replace this with proper walls at the end of the project
January 04, 2010, 11:41:09 AM
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