Befang Primary School Project

Befang Primary School Project

After the ceremonies signifying the progress of the Befang Primary School Project, we were invited to the Pastor’s house for a meal.  We were asked to write in the guest book.  Let me share with you what I wrote, then we will attempt to convey the magnitude of the project, its impact on the school and community.

‘We sign this on behalf of the members of the Rotary Club of Truro who chose Befang Primary School as their major project.  They chose to dedicate it in memory of Charlie Hill farmer and  long time member of the Rotary Club of Truro.  In his will, Charlie Hill left money to be used for an International Project.  (When the announcement was made to the guests that their community had been chosen for this project, they all cheered!)   Further to this, Marian the Librarian (from Bridgetown) gave the books, teacher resource materials and for each child pencils, erasers, sharpeners, pencil cases, math sets and more.  For our part, this project is a highlight in our lives. To see the community come together, to decide how to go about the project, planning and executing the plan by all helping.  May God be with you as you foster the growth and development of these children.  How privileged we are to have been able to be with you.  A special Thank You to Pa Tafrie and Mme Oussematou for their hours and hours of dedication and hard work.  All of us together have made this incredible dream reality.  Our love....Allan and Lydia’

Construction:

Our first visit to the site on March 24^th, 2014, we were met by a group that would accompany us on the tour:  Pa Tafrie,  Integrated Development Foundation chair and overseer of the project (yellow jacket),  head master of the school (far right), pastors, chairman of the school board and the night watchman.

Repaired Foundation

Community Volunteers Removing Soil From Around the Foundation

1500 Clay Blocks Were Made Before We Got There

New bricks made by community members were used for repair of the exterior walls.  The old bricks were cleaned up and used for the inner partitioning walls.  

Community Volunteers Making Clay Bricks

Eroko Door Ready To Hang

Door Frame Installed

The door frames were assembled on site and installed when we were there.  The frames are made from Eucalyptus and the doors are made from Eroko, a strong termite resistant wood.

Lessons learned from the rebuilding of the GS Illum led to investigation for a better window.  All made on site, have a look!  The design for the forms has to be precise.  Pa Tafrie says these windows will be durable!  The windows allow for good ventilation and natural lighting.  Can you imagine the weight of this window?  It takes 3-4 men to lift a window in place.

Windows Made On Site

Form For Window

Hole Made For Electrical Switch

Each of the trades people arrive when it is time for their part.  On Monday morning, early, the masons and builder dropped by on their way back for the week from Bamenda.    The carpenters will come at the end of this week to begin the roof.  The electrician was installing the conduit.  He surprised us by appearing at the get together at the pastor’s house.  He wanted to show his appreciation of what is being done for the community by presenting us with a hand embroidered shoulder bag.

Electrician Pounding Out Conduit Channel For Electrical Cable 

Level 3 Class With Blackboard At Front of Classroom Under the Trees

Where are the children while repairs are being made?  Each of the three classes is situated under a big tree, blackboard in front and their desks in neat rows.

Head Master With Level 5 Class Under The Trees

The Latrine Children and Teachers Presently Use on Left
The Hole For The New Latrine On Right

All priority is on getting the children back into their classrooms.  They are hoping in two weeks time work will have progressed sufficiently for this to happen.  After this important phase, the workmen will move to complete the latrine.  At this point, the latrine is a big rectangular hole dug deep (they were pleased that they were able to dig the hole easily, not encumbered by rocks.  We were shocked to see what they are using for a latrine now.  Extremely dangerous.  Big gaps between the wooden slats over a deep hole filled with sewer.  Not fit for an adult, never mind a child of any age. 

The concrete blocks for the base of the latrine are handmade on site.  At the bottom of the pit, the blocks will be filled with concrete.

Concrete Blocks Made On Site For New Latrine

Inside Materials' Storage Area

The materials for the project are secured in the pastors  house.  Materials for the project must be signed for.  Security is tight.

Pa Tafrie and Pastor Outside Storage Area, Part of Pastor's Home.

We watched as the workman secured large planks on either side of the wall to pour a concrete beam upon which the roof will reassembled.  So it is all coming together!

Community Involvement:

The community workers have made 1500 bricks.  Many of these bricks have already been used in the outside walls

The community workers have pulled the old stone out and have used their hoes to prepare the ground for the platform and approach to the school entrances and drains

The community has met many times to plan.  They decided that there was an area below the school that would make an excellent playground for the children.  They came together to clear the land Tuesday of this past week.  They also decided that a big mango tree had to be dismantled because it is too close to the school roof. These pictures show the playground cleared and the mango tree in process of being dismantled.