Social Center Part 25 (The Real Reason for all of This)

Now (see below) & Before (see above)





So I am sure it has been an entertaining read and the pictures are cool and I have learned quite a bit about managing a project in another country and had lots of laughs and some frustrations.

With the exception of Joseph, the almost 40 different people who worked/volunteered/helped finish the Ward 4 Social Center were all from Nhlangano & 90% of those actually from the neighborhood that I live in which is also where the Social Center is located.

There is lots to be proud of: the first is I brought it right in on budget although not on schedule. Even using the extra funds donated post the closing to help fund Joseph's artwork. Additional funding is coming to really finish the building. It seems as if the neighborhood is very appreciative & most seem very impressed with the work. I have helped Titi & Sabelo learn new management skills & Dennis has done what he does best and work hard to get it done. I joked to Titi that really all I did was spend money and issue orders and he had to do the dirty work of the management. And Sabelo got sit behind a computer doing accounting something he has a degree in.

This management team worked very hard together to make it all work.

BUT THE REAL REASON FOR ALL THIS IS SUMMED UP IN 2 PICTURES.

A fixed swing set for the kids & The fight against the spread HIV/AIDS














(This ribbon is painted on the kitchen which is on the adjacent separate building right next to the main one feature so prominently in most of the blog.)


The kids and people suffering from AIDS will benefit for years and hopefully decades cause of the work done on this center. It wasn't just me, even though I am at the center of it all but it was people from across the US & a couple in Europe giving money, it was the Peace Corps itself for having programs that allow us PCV's on the ground to pull off such projects. And it is the Nhlangano Town Council for being a strong and reliable partner. And finally it is the skilled craftsmen, young men who worked hard and the Caregiver Volunteers of my neighborhood who sweated it out in the hot summer heat to make what you have seen in the pictures something real on the ground.




Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

(And look for the Grand Opening post Soon)