F.A.I.M. Into Africa - A First For District 9640!

We went to build one classroom but built three instead! (nearly!) What an experience!
Three members of Kingscliff Rotary Club (plus one husband), joined with nine people from District 9650, only 2 of whom were Rotarians, to venture to Moshono near Arusha in Tanzania to commence building one classroom of a complex of twelve (and an administrative block), from the plans that Gemma Rice has developed for this area of Africa. It is an extensive goal and one that we all felt privileged to be a part of. We were able to build nearly three of the classrooms because we had up to twenty of the local Africans assisting us all the time. This greatly added to our enjoyment and created solutions that were a combination of western technology and African custom. When we arrived we set up our "tent city" right next door to a cornfield and we wondered where we were to build. That was it - the cornfield! By early the next morning the corn was picked and the ground was being levelled. They don't waste time in Africa! Or dirt! Whilst some of us went into Arusha to order timber, send e-mails and shop etc, the locals had started digging the foundations. African buildings dig a trench about a metre or so and then fill it in with a layer of rather large basaltic rocks followed with a layer of dirt which is watered down to 'cement' the rocks. This process is repeated three times until the level ground level is reached when a 'rough' layer of cement is laid. Then we 'boxed' on top of this so the next layer of finer concrete is narrower and above ground. Then a damp course was laid and so we began bricklaying. Only the locals were allowed to lay the bricks and this was very carefully done with a layer of cement and a careful alignment of the row of bricks and then the men came along and 'spooned' cement in between the bricks. Another fellow came along later to mark the brick lines with a special piece of metal. A rather slow process! We used mud bricks pre-soaked in a 44 gallon drum of water until they stopped 'fizzing' before they could be laid. This is to prevent the bricks absorbing too much moisture from the cement and so become unstable. African buildings place the pre-built window frames in as they build. We had not built the frames so there was quite a discussion as to how we were going to build the windows/doors. Once again western and African technology underwent a change! We built wedges of wood into the mortar for the frames to be installed later (windows and doors). On top of theses spaces we used angled pieces of steel where the Africans use cement. On top of this we built several rows of bricks - the Africans here have a thick layer of concrete. Once we reached the wall top a 'top cap' was layed of wood and strapped with steel straps in preparation for the roof trusses which had been built on the side simultaneously. We then left for our safari because we needed several days for the concrete to harden before the trusses were put onto the roof. The cement floors of all three classrooms were laid during the bricklaying so when we left for our safari the roof was all that was required. On returning the locals had put up the trusses and before the next team go in they will have put the iron on the roof. Quite an achievement and we felt justifiably proud of our efforts! I must add a word about our African safari! It was just something else to see so much wildlife just wandering at will in their own surroundings. The animals looked so healthy and there were numerous offspring of all varieties but I will never forget the long line of elephants meandering up the creek with the leader trumpeting and babes and grown ups all following in a wavy line. Nor will I forget the pride of lions staking out a water hole just to be disturbed by so many safari cars that they gave up in disgust. We returned to Moshono to see the roof trusses on top of our building. Then we left to spend a night in Nairobi and several days in Cairo looking at Egyptian history. Fascinating! For anyone wanting to try Africa we can all recommend the next trip which is due to go in October. Look out for details, ask your District representative or ring Armidale Central Club for information. You will never regret it!

PP Margaret Hayes - Kingscliff Rotary Club.

Partners In Service

Probus

Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Mudgeeraba for achieving a foundation meeting for the formation of another Probus Club. The Mudgeeraba Combined Probus Club will Charter in September and already has 41 members.

Inner Wheel

Inner Wheel A77 11th Changeover Celebration at Coolangatta. The theme for the most colourful evening was "Strangers are Friends we have not met" Congratulations and welcome to Past Chairman Beverley Crowe and Chairman Judy Old. The Objects of Inner Wheel are to promote true friendship; to encourage the ideals of personal service and to foster international understanding.

"MIRIKAI" SEEKS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH ROTARY

Miraki Director Mary Alcorn has approached the Rotary District 9640 Publicity Committee with a proposal of a "Strategic Partnership" between Rotary and Mirikai.

Mirikai is a drug rehabilitation centre based on the Gold Coast, which is quickly gaining national recognition for their work. Their latest project has targeted 16 - 25 year olds who "voluntarily" enter a 6 month program designed to not only detox these people, but also to give them life supporting skills.

These skills in particular are designed at giving these young people employment opportunities towards a "new drug free life". The program is "cutting edge" development in this area with an extremely high success rate.

Mirikai is asking Rotary to assist in publicity and credibility for the "Mirikai Model" which already has a 3 month waiting list, and is only meeting approximately 10% of the demand on the Gold Coast.

Mirikai through the high profile of Rotary wishes to draw upon experts who can assist with "advise", "expertise" and "contacts" in expanding this program.

Mirikai provides an excellent Vocational Club visit which will provide a stark awareness of the issues associated with drugs.

Phone 0755 354 302

By Gary Field (Rotary Club of Surfers Paradise) District Public Relations Committee.