Construction of a kindergarten in Tanzania: Part 5

Construction Progress

Last Saturday, we made preparations for pouring the support pillars. That's why we started early on Monday. We worked until about 3 pm, even skipping lunch. The workbench we assembled worked well, making it easy to fill the support pillars from the top.

There was a small mishap in between. After several attempts, I couldn't convince our "Fundi" that securing the metal formwork with just a few wires, especially in the lower area, was too weak. Neither a drawing with reasoning nor a diagram from the internet could persuade him. So, it was time for him to learn from experience. I told Henry about it, with a warning of what would happen next. I had already prepared emergency wires to speed things up later. While filling a support pillar with concrete, the metal formwork eventually gave way slightly, and concrete flowed out of the column onto the ground. The helpers yelled briefly, but everyone stood rooted to the spot. I pressed the metal together with my arms and asked Henry for the wires I had prepared. After I repaired the formwork, I was allowed to properly secure all the other pillars. But other than that, everything went smoothly. The helpers did a great job. We inspected the result on Wednesday (you can also see it in the picture gallery). Removing the metal sheets felt like unwrapping a gift to me. And there were seven of them, what a joy. Even though there are some small imperfections here and there, the support pillars turned out really well. Definitely a reason to celebrate.

Parallel to the "unwrapping," Henry and I built the reinforcement cages for the support pillars of the 2-room building. In beautiful weather, we brought them to the respective positions on the construction site today, together with two other helpers, and I aligned them. We used the metal sheets for the formwork again. Everything went smoothly and quickly, couldn't be better. You can see the result from today in the picture gallery as well.

Furthermore, today we started the formwork for the ring beam. I was less involved in this. I just made sure that they aligned the ring beam properly (horizontally). You can see in the picture gallery how far the colleagues have progressed. Looks good, doesn't it?

Extension

When I look at the current progress on the construction site, it hurts me that I won't be here much longer. But I have already decided not to go on the safari or the Zanzibar trip. I will do that with my wife at some point, as it will be much more fun with her and I can do more construction work. So, I will still be here until next Wednesday evening and then start my journey back home on Thursday. Until then, I want to achieve a lot here. My goal is to have all the load-bearing structures finished, for which I need the good help of the people here. After that, "Fundi" and his helpers can continue on their own. Currently, there is no successor for me, unless one of you spontaneously decides to take over. There is plenty of work, and the building structure is really good. Just get in touch with me, I'll be happy to arrange it.

Machine for shaping the bricks

Last Sunday, I wanted to take a day off. But Baba Steve ("Fundi") was already at my door on Sunday morning at 9 o'clock and took me to the city. I had asked him about the machine for shaping the bricks the day before, and now I was supposed to see it for myself.

We went to the sheet metal worker and let him show us the machine. Or rather, the sheet metal parts he had already finished. The machine was actually supposed to be finished about two weeks ago, but I'm taking it easy here in Tanzania. Why should it be any different here than in Brazil and even in Germany? The new deadline for the finished machine was Tuesday, which I also considered utopian. Today is Thursday, and I haven't seen the machine. We're still waiting. But it's clear now that I won't be doing any more bricklaying here. With luck, I can still shape a few bricks if the machine is finished this week. But it's not that important anymore; we still have plenty of other things to do. I'll get photos later of how they shape and burn the bricks and, of course, how they build the wall. I'm happy with that. And then I can share the pictures with all of you.

That's it from me. There's still a lot to write, but I need sleep today. Tomorrow, we want to pour the nine support pillars, and it will be a long day.

Greetings to everyone at home