The school

So we were called upon to renovate two kindergarten classrooms where students were unable to hold class when it rains. One of the rooms had a huge pothole and several smaller ones. The building foundation was strong but the walls were not built to go up to the ceiling so that was our task. We worked with local artisans. The culture seemed to be that we should allow the artisans to do the technical work but we did as much as we could - mixed cement, carried cement blocks on our heads, painted, helped carry mortar, basically anything we could. My friend Tim is an experienced Habitat volunteer and used to doing more work so he was most frustrated. I was frustrated because there seemed to be a reaction from the local men whenever I helped. The culture is that women definitely work - on the farm, in the kitchen, etc. - but construction is a man's job. But we were able to pitch in and share some laughs. Here are some photos from the job site:

Before

During

After

Temporary classroom; Kids helping clear the storage room; Madame teacher

Tim finds a frog! The masoners. The head painter (with a Nebraska hat?)




Work, work (Fareeda!), work