Welcome back for another quick update! For those of you who are new to Project Wezesha, make sure to browse through the July blog entries as I spent three weeks in July 2010 working in Mgaraganza village and Kigoma town - making this happen - with my in-country director, Lucas Lameck.
I spoke with Lucas twice over the past couple of months. We have a plan to chat with each other every other Sunday. Thank goodness for Skype Mobile on my Droid! Now staying in touch is easy! (That sounded like a commercial, but I swear no one is paying me ... or this school would be finished by now.)
Recent news from Lucas includes the following:
We recently hired a 'ranger' or guard to watch over the equipment and materials throughout the weeks and nights when no one is on-site working. As the funds slow down, so does the progress. The goal right now is to use the last of existing funds and buy the bricks needed to finish what we've started before the rainy season sets in. Lucas also plans to see to it that the roof goes onto the classrooms before long.
We're also completing a small 'road' up to the building site to save money (and manpower) previously spent on the labor to carry heavy materials up a steep rocky path to the school site. The cost of the road completion is minimal compared to the final projected savings once they're able to drive right up to the school with bricks, bags of cement, etc.
In other news from Lucas's end, there was skepticism from someone in a neighboring village about my commitment to the project ... but not surprisingly, this doubt has all but melted away as Project Wezesha has almost completely finished 4 classrooms and an office for Amahoro Secondary School in a record 3 month period. Given the power and influence of this individual's voice, it's good that he can see I'm for real! There is no room to wonder if the 'mzungu' will come through! She did, with the help of many wonderful donors and supporters - and of course, a number one right hand man - LUCAS!
Lucas is doing great. When I call him, it's 9 hours later than my local time, so he's usually sitting in his home with his mom, dad and sibs. I can picture them all sitting around in the courtyard of their modest mud home - chatting in the dark, finishing up a simple dinner of beans and rice, under the stars with their ducks nestling close by. He's been investigating what he needs to do (exams, etc.) to finish his own high school education. Lucas finished secondary school, but has yet to finish the 2-3 years of high school that will open many doors for him in the future - including possibly affording him the opportunity to study in the US if he wishes.
Here are some pictures Lucas sent recently to show the progress on the school. This work was completed less than two months after I left - at which point, little had been built. So, Isaya and his crew have been working tirelessly!
Next step - more fundraising! I'm definitely planning to host the 2nd Annual Empower 5k Trail Run in the Spring. My friend Hadley also has a good friend who is also a world famous opera singer! We're hoping for a winter show with the talented Alfie Boe right here in Salt Lake City! Please contact me if you'd like to host your own fundraiser or help with those we plan for the upcoming year. www.railiz@yahoo.com
