My big project, Finishing the Ward 4 AMICAALL/Nhlangano Town Council Social Center, the PCPP

ITS FINISHED

Peace Corps Partnership Proposal (PCPP) with the Nhlangano Town Council (NTC)


http://swazilandreflections.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-big-project-finishing-ward-4.html

First application draft submitted Feb, 2011
Approved & Funding Begins on PC website May 17th
IT WAS COMPLETELY FUNDED on Sept 8th.
Construction started on Oct 24th.
All exterior construction done by Dec 20th.
Grand Opening Jan 5th, 2012
Round 2 of the Funding arrives in early January.
Interior Only Construction Restarts Jan 16th.
Construction all done Feb 16th (minus a million tiny To Do's)
Project Officially Closed May 4th, 2012

Let the children play, learn & be safe.


As of Aug 25th, 2012, I am no longer a PCV, I am now RPCV (Return Peace Corps Volunteer). This blog is my experience in Swaziland between June of 2010 & Aug of 2012. Enjoy.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Social Center Part 33 (More rooms done)

So the progress is steady but slow. With basically one guy laying the tiles it is at his pace and I have come to learn that when he finishes his cement bucket it is an excuse to go home sometimes around 2pm instead of mixing new bucket (something his assistant normally does) and continuing the work. He doesn't seem to get that he doesn't get paid by the day and working longer on this job doesn't mean more money. It only means he potentially losing some other job. Yet, he is pushing (their phrase for working faster). And I think this is one of the main differences in work ethic between the US and Swaziland, even though he is working hard he is certainly not working long hours. But since the building has no power work can't be done after the sunsets. But it is all about taking away the excuses. Yet, sometimes they just ignore what I am saying since going home early is a normal viable option. I guess it is truly one of the great American traits that we have, we just work hard & long.



Some shoots of the main room where the children will be going to school. The dark color is help hide the dirt, etc on the floor.







And next that was completed was the Veranda, originally this was supposed to the same tile as the dark colored interior but after having to cut to many pieces to fit the diagonal pattern it didn't leave enough tile for the Veranda, (see the above picture on the right for small pieces example). So we went with the white tiles. It turns out the lighter color looks nice on the outside but it will show the dirt more.



And the bathroom is now finished also.



(Also if you notice around the sink it looks patched, we had to re-set the sink since it came lose, something Mom noticed when she was here.)



This last picture on the right shows the Veranda going into the bathroom.



So leaving only 2 rooms to go which are the kitchen & a small office/storeroom. And it should be 2 1/2 days left.

2 comments:

  1. Woo hoo ... it'll be good to be finished. Thanks for posting this update ... looking good. I remember when Mom spotted the sink pulling away from the wall. Glad you were able to get it fixed.

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  2. Tick tock tick tock - time is running down until completion of a great project. Will there be another ceremony when it is "officially" ready for occupancy [school, etc] ?

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