throwing the foundation

If you pick up on a slight change in writing tone before you reach the signature of this post, way to go - you've pinned this as the first "non-Rahelian" post on the blog. This is Mike, writing to give what is sure to be a slightly less cohesive account of the building the Creche.

When we last left you, we were between some rocks and a hard place - "rocks", quite literally being the pile of rocks collected to fill the foundation and the "hard place" being the lack of sand needed to mix the cement. Passing over the possibility of using a team of donkeys to fetch the sand, we were helped out by a significantly more sophisticated source in the form of Tony, who picked up a bakkie load of sand from Mpame for next to nothing.

Having all the necessary materials of cement, sand, water, and young guys from the village (Makosi and Roy) willing to work as long as there's a bit of money and a few pairs of admiring female eyes - we set to work. Thus far, we've spent two days filling the hole which is about one foot deep and traces the circular base of the rondavel with nearly equal parts cement and rocks. Fortunately, the site we've chosen is on a healthy bed of gravel so we don't need to build up the foundation much more. Even though we've had this turn of luck, I am always conscious of the fact that this building will be housing numerous sleeping babies, and so will proceed with caution. Tomorrow, we will finish off the foundation by making it level, and then it will be on to making bricks.

Also, we've had fate turn our way on another account through a bit of a financial good fortune. I'd like to thank my friends and family who've given graciously in times where I'm sure your earnings are already spread quite thin. What you've given is giving the Creche the momentum it has needed, as it's providing for the labor from the community that's starting to see them take real ownership of this task. You're all the best. Other readers of this blog, I'm sure you're great too. And if you give money, we'll be sure to compliment you as well.

Mike

Makosi with a 50 kilo cement bag

freshly laid foundations

Mike pressing in the last stones

building the Creche in the village

Mike has begun to build the creche in the village. At first it looked like it was all going at a fast pace, but in the end, nothing goes fast in the Transkei. After 3 days, the foundations were dug, but we couldn't throw the cement in yet, because it needs to be mixed with sand, and we had no sand. And no vehicle to go fetch sand, as the landrover is still not fixed (because we can't find anyone who can handle a welder). What to do? We tried to organize someone with a Bakkie (south african word for Pick-up truck), and a friend from Mpame would help out. Now the problem is, that we have to dig the sand and load it onto the car, which is heavy physical work, and there's only Mike and me (Rahel) that work for free. The strong young men who could help want pay, and the project account is pretty much empty right now and cannot afford to pay any workers. Oh well - we'll have to figure something out. So far, Rufus has allowed us to use his sand (the creche is being built right next to his house) if we have it replaced by next Tuesday. That leaves us a few days to find a solution, and Mike can begin to throw the foundations - if he can find two strong guys to mix the cement, that is. This is Transkei ...

So, we urgently need funding to put up this creche! More photos and information our progress will follow soon.

And: the Mpame Project Website has a new, friendlier face: www.mpame.co.za Have a look at the new website!

flattening the area where the creche will be built

Mike swinging the pick to dig foundations

boys bringing stones for foundations

foundations dug out

helpers

measuring out the rondavel

Maxwell (Rufus' older brother) overseeing and directing the building progress

Bloemfontein Hikers Club

Yesterday the Bloemfontein Hikers Club pitched their tents on our hilltop. It was quite an experience - we had worked hard the last few days to get everything ready in time and to get the villagers to understand the importance of treating guests properly. In the end it all worked out well - two people out of the group decided spontaneously to stay in the village instead of pitching their tent, because a lady of the village committee had invited them into her house. She must have made a good host, for the guests were happy and pleased the next morning. The campers on the hilltop got to try out our newly installed hot shower, which was quite an eperience, for the boiler is not all too easy to operate, and Aidan and I had to assist for the first few showers. I suppose we must find a way to make this easier - in the long run, it just won't do. But for now it was ok, and the hikers were delighted to find a hot shower in the middle of the Wild Coast. We spent the night chatting at the fire (around the newly built fireplace, Johann and Mike did a good job!) and it was great having people here and getting to know them and hear their stories.

Babalwa is polishing the newly built fireplace

village women bring firewood for the guests

the campers settle in

the Bloemfontein Hikers Club at Sobonana Lodge

Mike seems to enjoy his stay here too, he is happily getting involved into the project and everything we're doing. It's great to have someone here who is so enthusiastic and willing to work! Babalwa also seems to be getting used to her job and enjoying her position. When the campers left, she was the one who organized the car to carry their luggage to the next stop, and we just handed her the money for the driver and let her deal with all the rest. Aaaah it's great to hand over some of the responsibilities. :-)

preparing for the campers

On Tuesday we are expecting 10 campers, so we have to get our campsite ready. Which campsite? Well, the one that we are flatting out right now! Some men from the village have come to help to flatten the space for 10 tents. Meanwhile, we are busy "repairing" the toilet and shower - the heavy stormwinds from last week have taken some of the thatching down. The toilet got some new walls now, and finally, a roof! The women from the village are still busy making bricks up at the hilltop. We try to clean up the whole place and make it look nice for our guests. If they like the place, we have reached a milestone! It is vitally important that some guests spread good words about Sobonana Lodge.

Our translator, a 21-year old girl named Babalwa, has been working with us for 3 weeks now and is doing well so far. It's great to finally be able to speak to the villagers and have someone translate all the little messages!

On Saturday Mike from the USA has arrived here, he will volunteer for the project for about 4 weeks.