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.

Friday, August 10, 2012

Last Project Part 7 (The Welder)


So also on the very busy Friday, my final day working in Nhlangano on any project.

The Welder showed up to fix yet another swing set for yet another Social Center.

The Welder, Jabulane, is someone I will remember for a very long time.  Because he is part of one of the moments during my time here that most effected me emotionally.  See this post the 8th paragraph.  For that moment.


So Jabulane's story is one I am also proud of.  He showed up one day at the Ward 4 Center asking if there was any work saying he was a welder.  Of course, we had quite a bit.  He welded some security bars on some window frames basically for free.  So I hired him to fix the Ward 4 swing sets. Fixing one frame & replacing 6 individual swings.  Then he created the excellent metal kitchen windows.  Plus, got the job welding the burglar doors which he created & sold to us.  Then later welded together Titi's Social Centers (Ward 5) swing sets.  Fixing 2 frames, reattaching 3 swings, creating one missing one.

And now here at Ward 2, 10 months later after walking up, he is fixing 3 frames & reattaching 6 swings.  Plus, the dodging of the electrical inspector who happened to see the electrical cord running to the Center (it doesn't have power, something beyond my control or ability to finish), who wanted to charge us E2000 for illegal use of electricity.  But he talked them out of the fine since it was just a one day project & it was obvious it was just work not lighting the building up.

None Done

One Frame Done!
Two Frames Done!!


Three Frames Done!!!
People have told me I have done a lot in my time here and made a difference.  But Jabulane in his one moment that he doesn't even know he did proved to me the power of art and how it can effect anyone in any place.  So like Senzo & Sambulo I was happy to pay him for the work he does.  And he did a great job.  Now since the swing sets are so popular & get constant use let's hope they last. 
 

 


But they still need some cement before use, we ran out of that today also.


 And so with my work in Nhlangano now done, I begin the packing, cleaning, selling, trashing, giving away and leaving my apartment (Flat) that I have lived in for two years up to whoever is next.  (Not a Peace Corps person since they are not replacing me at AMICAALL or my site)
 

1 comment:

  1. I would call this a "job" as complete as you could have accomplish. "Well done good and faithful servant."

    ReplyDelete