The Foundation is Complete

The heavy work continued this week at the TEMBO Guesthouse site. Cement was mixed by hand on the ground then carried by the bucketful to be poured into the foundation. This simple activity went on day after day in the hot sun until the last bucket of cement was poured.

John Scott helped with the cement work on a couple of days. I was happy to have his, and Carol Ann's, input to help with some decisions.

As you can see there are no hard hats or safety boots worn on the worksite. Most of the men wear "flip flops", including for mixing the cement.

I make trips to the site a couple of times each day to watch the progress. I am impressed with the soundness of the foundation. The tools might be simple but the quality of the work is excellent. Occasionally I bring a crate of soda to the site which the men appreciate so much. This week the Scott's treated.

Samwel, the contractor from Arusha, is committed to making the guesthouse an excellent building. I was given the honour of smoothing the last section of the foundation to ceremonially signify this part of the work was completed. Standing next to me, above, is Edi, the site foreman.

Yesterday the walls began going up just as I was leaving for Arusha in the morning. I am anxious to return on Sunday to see how high they have become.

This week we also made a visit to the Montessori School in the village at the invitation of Mwalimu Sarah, in the center above. Sarah and her assistants are organizing the young children for a bathroom break. Empty water bottles are filled with soapy water and rinse water for washing the childrens' hands.

Carol Ann Scott conducted english classes with anyone who wanted some instruction. The location and group changed from day to day, sometimes in the library, sometimes outside. The students were always appreciative for the new words they learned.
We made a trip back to visit the beadmakers in Kimokouwa to receive some gifts they had for the visitors from Canada. This young girl with her goat was passing by. More news later...