Our day began with our normal safari ride into the village. Watching the baboons, African eagles and bush bucks. Wow those bush bucks can run fast!
The main focus on day 4 construction was additional concrete block building, roof truss building, window construction and gable end wall construction.
Despite the temperature of 44 degrees without the humidity (our hottest day yet) we had a very productive day.
Window construction is quite different here than in North America. The windows consists of a wood frame, rebar running across the window and a mesh screening applied over top.
Doors consist of 3 boards jointed together by 3 braces across the back side. They do not have glue available to edge glue them.
Most measurement aspects of construction by the locals is done by eye. Therefore we had to chisel out the window holes in order to get the frames to fit in. Roof trusses are built by using the first one as a template and building the next ones on top of the first.
Our trek home at the end of the day came to an abrupt halt when we came across a lifeless baboon lying on the road. It appears that he had been hit by a rock. We assume it must of been village children. Our guide Raymond moved the baboon from the road. We are hoping we do not see him on our way into the job site tomorrow morning.
Ken decided to reward those who chose to participate with cigars after dinner to celebrate a good day and the first almost North American type of meal (chicken and roasted vegetables)! Ken joins us from Kingston Ontario and is experiencing his 5th trip with Developing World Connections.
Many unwinded enjoying a few cocktails this evening around the camp fire and a few had many which I will leave nameless! It is incredible in such a short amount of time the bond of friendship that has been built amongst our team. No matter the task at hand on the job site or the drinking task at the end of the day, we are all there to support one another.
Our hearts have poured out to a special little boy named Juma. Juma is 7 years old but is the size of a 4 year old. He is very thin and is being raised by his single mother as his father died due to a hernia. Due to ear infections that were not treated, Juma is deaf and many believe dumb. In the village he is called Booboo. He talks with his beautiful eyes and shows his loving sole through affection. He loves to be hugged and his face just lights up. Jeananne the head of the camp we are staying at is paying for him to attend school but the teachers would prefer he does not attend as he is a distraction in the classroom as he requires attention.
Most of the older children walk about 9km to the secondary school in shoes that are either too big/too small or not in good shape. Most of our children complain when having to walk less than 1km in their name brand comfortable shoes! The elementary school is located in the village so the younger children are closer to home. They come running to our job site during recess and lunch. It is so rewarding to put a smile on their faces each day.
Marianne
DWC Participant
Tanzania 2010
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