Masaka Building Phase One: Re-Roofing the Existing House
Report by: Stephen S Mwanje Saturday 14th February 2004 in a valentine car on Valentine’s Day four of us me, Hillary, Lelia and Brian left Kampala at about 9:00am to go and change the roof for the Masaka children’s existing house. We reached Masaka at about 11:00 am. We bought the materials we wanted; iron sheets, roofing nails and ridges then set off for Bukunda. We reached Bukunda about 12:00 and found as expected the trusses already up. We had contracted some gentlemen thru the Headmaster of St Monicah where the Rose’s study to help construct the roof. Since some materials could be easily availed they started the work on Friday with the expectation that when we go on Saturday we just pay up for the materials used. That is exactly what we found so when we brought the Iron Sheets they just began covering up the empty trusses. By the time we left at 4:30pm they had only slightly more than one quarter of the house to cover up and by the time we got to Kampala at 6:30 they had finished the Iron sheets. They were however unable to put the ridges due to time which was duly done on Sunday.
I must however say that it was slightly more expensive than expected since the gauge 30 Iron sheets originally expected at Shs 11000 each turned out to be Shs 13000. I understand this is because of increased prices of steel products on the world market. The kids also received some clothes which were brought by Hillary and Lelia; they were very happy. Rose Nakasagga (the younger one) was sick so before we left we had to take her to hospital. We were also presented with a gentleman who was to provide the drugs to cure Jiggers. He was to apply the medicine after the work had been done and the house back in order. We are quite expectant of the results from his work.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one who has contributed to this work in whatever form. I convey a message of appreciation from the children and am sorry for those of you who didn’t go – you missed to see happy faces. I also want to encourage us all to increase our efforts to see this work accomplished as the lord leads and guides us.
God Bless You All
Stephen
