What we hoped would be
the final day of building met us with an interesting addition of work: raising
the roof. A long discussion was had between Buccs, Japie (the welder) and
myself about ensuring the stability of this already fragile structure. Rather
than lifting it 1m high, we resorted to raising it only 0,4m high. Although all
of the 1:1 team members had reservations about successfully lifting the roof
and bracing the columns, community members insisted that it could and should be
done and finished by Friday. With our focus forcefully deviated to this task,
the hopes of completing the project today dwindled.
As some of the JCP
students continued with the tarp over the gumpoles, others went to work on sanding
and cutting planks of wood for the east seating edge. Carin came and spoke to
us about possible details for the bench, which sent Frank Jnr., Bonga and I on
a hunt for more wooden planks.
As we went, Japie commenced
with the roof by welding a structure that would act as a transfer beam when the
columns get cut to be raised. They started on only the eastern columns first,
with several community members needing to hold up the roof while Japie
displayed his welding skills.
Frank Mpendulo and Bonga Nyembe, members of the Slovo Khayalami Youth Forum
Due to an error in
judgement, a smaller window was opted for on the south side's left corner. This
meant that the wall now used a lot more brickwork than we had planned for.
What was a consistent
problem on site was communication. Omar, Clare and I were in charge of
resolving construction issues, but only Omar was heard. Sometimes Clare and I
were left to tell Omar what the solution was in order for him to tell them so
that it could be heard/accepted. When Omar left, they requested to speak to him
on the phone rather than to get those answers from us.
As we all agreed that
Saturday be used as build day, we were saddened by the realization that the JCP
students will no longer be with us.
So there's no signing
out yet; we are certainly looking forward to what tomorrow has in store for us!
Photos by Ingmar Büchner