It was a hot one today!!!
Despite the 48 degree without humidity temperature, we accomplished our mission for the day.
Our focus was installing the roof trusses, installing the metal roofing and continuing the wall parging and concrete block work.
As a team we rocked, despite our many road blocks throughout the day, we worked until the metal roof was installed. Our bet did not pay out as they said we did not complete the roof in our normal work day hours!! More negotiating to be had tomorrow!
Today we learned many lessons working with the village workers. Patience for one was huge for us as they work at a much slower pace than what we are used to. The village carpenter wanted to be involved in all aspects of the roof construction. We had to convince him we could do the same work on the other side of the roof and complete it faster. But to him more time earns more money.
We have a lot of building knowledge on our team and we want to share this knowledge with the local workers but they only want to do it the way they have been used to. When questioning why they do it a certain way the response is "I do not know why we do it that way. It is the way we have always done it."
On some aspects of the construction building the locals are very detailed and thorough but when it come taking measurements it is done by eye and many mistakes are made and we just have to only shake our heads and respect their methods.
In a couple of the pictures, you will notice a construction meeting with the locals where we have to draw out what we are trying to show them and vise-versa in order to understand we are on the same page of the task at hand. You will see how we cut the metal roofing by using a machete to cut each edge and then put a 2X4 on top and use this as a straight edge to rip the roofing sheet.
You will notice a photo at the end of the day when a few team members are playing with the children. Harley (our resident boxer from William Lake, BC) is handing our stickers to the children. Karen (Kamloops, BC) is rolling a rubber tire back and forth with a child. Others have some of the special ones on our hips giving them some well needed affection. No wonder they are at the job site anxiously awaiting our arrival each morning.
Tomorrow we anticipate to be another long day as it will be our last full day on the job site. This week is passing by so quickly for us.
Marianne
DWC Participant
Tanzania 2010
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