Pole Pole - Week #15 and Week #16

Oleleshwa Primary School's second classroom exemplifies the care, effort, and precision of the crew. The workmanship is incredible - one can easily take for granted that this project has been completed by hand.  James, forman, has worked closely with Malcolm, Charles I and Charles II (fundis) on this classroom. The labourers: Bernard, Makomi, Lornad, and James have learned many skills and gained valuable experience working on this project. Most of the men come from Ewaso Ngiro which proves that building a school can impact an entire community for years to come. James has repeatedly mentioned that the crew has been very happy throughout this build.

For now, the project is on hold while H4H raises additional funds for the ceiling, the paint, and the benches on the outside wall. We are also raising funds to build desks for the classroom. There is a possibility that students may use the classroom while awaiting its completion. The community group is meeting to decide. Text messages are shared daily so that H4H and Ewaso Ngiro remain connected and see this project through to completion. This delay is disappointing as the project was advancing so quickly, but we have no doubt that construction will resume quickly. Please stay posted for further updates.

Thank you everyone for your well wishes and generous contributions! We are all so anxious to see the classroom completed and joined with the first class by an incredible breezeway that will serve as an outdoor learning area, community gathering place, and as water storage through rainwater collection. Alec and Karl look forward to the day their design is complete and serves its many roles.

Asante Sana and pole pole,

Kyla

Pole Pole - Week #15 Progress Report

Week #15 progress report will be delayed until Monday or Tuesday due to technical difficulties. According to James, the plastering will be completed by Tuesday. This only leaves finishing the ceiling with Shuka panels, the installation of the glass in the windows, and the painting of the doors before the classroom is ready for students. H4H is awaiting funds from the Kenyan government as well as current fundraising initiatives to finish the last stages of the second classroom.

"Pole Pole" - slowly slowly in Kiswahili. This is a minor setback. We have certainly learned that projects may indeed take time despite our excitement and hopes for a different timeline. We must humbly accept that the success of the project will require further time - a small challenge to overcome. One that has been overcome on numerous occasions throughout our five years of work in Kenya. We will keep you posted as soon as updates become available.

Asante Sana,

Kyla

Windows, Doors, and Plaster Complete - Week #14

Happy New Year to all! We hope that you enjoy the photos as we enter the last couple of weeks of construction and finishing touches. There is something to be said about the heart and hard work going into this classroom as can be seen in Malcolm's photo. Oleleshwa Primary School is an important goal for the Ewaso Ngiro community who wish to see their children educated. It is also an international project which has joined the talents, the hands, and the hope of many to help achieve this vision for a determined community.
H4H looks forward to the opening of the second classroom and the construction of the breezeway which will serve as an outdoor learning area and a location for rainwater collection. H4H's team of volunteers, in partnership with Kenyan communities, work diligently to see that each stage of the project is completed. We recognize that quality, integrity, and sustainability require communication, collaboration, mutual learning, and a significant investment of time. H4H remains committed to the construction of Oleleshwa Primary School's classrooms, kitchen, landscaped grounds, administrative block, library, and agricultural centre.

Please feel free to join us in our efforts to see this vision through to completion.

Looking forward to what is possible in 2012,

Kyla McMullen-Dent

 These four doors face out to the breezeway which we expect to begin in the next couple of months. You can see the other classroom's doors (red) across the way.

 Quality work

 Malcolm has worked on both classrooms!

Final touches to the floor.

Large blackboard in the background for even the youngest children to access.



Excitement Builds - Week #13 in Ewaso Ngiro, Kenya

Exciting times at such a busy time of year! James expects the project could be completed in 16 days should there be no unforeseen delays. We are hoping to build desks in the next few weeks so that students can start in the new classroom. James has reported that 3 more windows will be installed today and that much of the plastering has been completed on the inside of the classroom. Here are the photos from Week #13.

Numerous donations have come in within the last few days to support the final stages of construction for the second classroom. Gravenhurst PS staff and students have raised $150.00 dollars in just four days by selling their beautiful greeting cards and beaded jewellery at recess. The impact of such kindness and generosity will reach many in the community of Ewaso Ngiro through the completion of Oleleshwa Primary School.

We are inspired daily by the generosity and support of Harambee 4 Humanity projects by co-workers, family, friends, long-time supporters, children and strangers worldwide. There is much to be celebrated and appreciated! Looking forward to a classroom filled with students in 2012!

Update from Community Leader in Ewaso Ngiro

Nicholas Kimorgo, respected leader, sent this photo of a community meeting in the new classroom on Tuesday. Members have agreed to mobilize parents in the community to clear the grounds after construction and to contribute towards the construction of the desks. The community has been funding the wages for the night watchman supervising the worksite and building materials. This partnership with the community has been significant to the success of the projects.
The local councillor in Ewaso Ngiro has fulfilled his promise of 750 000ksh to the construction of Oleleshwa Primary School. This is almost the equivalent of nine thousand dollars which will be put towards the construction of the third classroom. Very exciting!

Week 10 and Week 11 Update

Progress Report Coming Soon!

We are awaiting James' latest progress report expected Monday or Tuesday due to Internet delays. In the meantime, Amos, Ewaso Ngiro community member, has been visiting the site often and reports positively on the progress of the classroom. Students will soon be off for their one month leave. It would be great to celebrate the New Year with the opening of the second classroom for Oleleshwa students upon their return on January 9th, 2012. Update and photos will be shared as soon as they are received. Thank you all for your continued support and encouragement!