This week proved to be an exhausting week for volunteers as we began pouring the floors for Block 2. However tiring, opting to hire local labour instead of renting a cement mixer proved to be a rather rewarding experience and provided a great opportunity for the volunteers to work side by side with the labourers.

For a single room, 30 wheelbarrows of sand and stone must be mixed with 15 bags of cement and placed in a giant circle.  The two are mixed together by hand and a lip is shaped around the circumference of the circle in order to fill the centre with water.  The best part is when we get to sit back and let the water sink into the mixture… letting gravity do all the work.  Once enough time has elapsed, it is time to attack the giant circle with our shovels, mixing in the water with explosive energy, and carrying the concrete to the room whose floor must be laid using an assembly line of wheelbarrows.  As the concrete is poured into the room it is smoothed using a piece of timber.  The whole process is repeated again and again until the floors scheduled for pouring that day are completed. 

We have also started the task of comparing various prices for different types of roofing for the school.  Likewise, we are seeking out various carpenters to start making some of the furniture for the classrooms.  Whereas most of the work so far has been done using manual labour, the process of seeking out tradesmen for the plumbing, electricity, plastering, and carpentry involves a bit more research.  Not only do we have to compare quotes from an array of different tradesmen but we also have to check out some of the work they have done in the past to make sure that they are well qualified. 

Volunteers are basking in the fact that a professional chef has been added to the team.  Having contributed time both at the site and cooking at the apartment, Trevor has definitely put in his share of community service this week.  We are all enjoying giving him a hand and snatching up a few cooking tips in the process.