Masaka Building Phase Two: Plastering and Flooring the House
Report by: Stephen S Mwanje
Saturday 1st May 2004 we met at Antonio’s and we were on our way to Masaka by 10:00am. In all these are the people who went: Lydia, Stephen, Ota, Nicholas, Lelia, Hillary, Micah, Doreen, Patrick, Herbert. We reached Masaka at about half past Midday and by then the majority were hungry so we chose to have lunch first in Masaka so that when we get to Bukunda we just move on to work without wasting any more time. We bought the materials we wanted; Cement and Lime then set off for Bukunda. We reached Bukunda about 2:00 pm and found as expected two walls almost done. We had contracted Robert, the Headmaster of St Monicah where the Rose’s study to help arrange for other materials to get on site – things like Gravel and Sand. He then bought 1 bag of cement with which to start so they would not have to wait for us.
Because of lack of expertise and equipment on our part we could not join the contractors to plaster. We however made our selves busy by making a platform for utensils as the existing one was so weak. One person tried to treat jiggers although she later gave up concluding that they required anti-vectoral medication of some form. Other people prepared a meal for the children who we found had no meal for the day.
Besides all this the building process is still a big challenge. We had earlier under estimated the requirements for Plastering and Flooring. We left Kampala with almost UShs 600,000 in cash and were able to buy 10 bags of cement at 17000 each and 4 small bags of Lime at 3000 each. We were also able to pay for 4 trips of Sand at 30,000 each and 1 Trip of Gravel at 60,000 which had earlier been delivered to site as well as the 1 bag of cement bought earlier that day at 17,500. We were also able to pay our outstanding debts which remained during the roofing totaling up to about UShs 80,000 and a fraction of the labour charges for this work of 50,000.
We were then informed according to the expectations of our contractors that outstanding to finish plaster for internal walls and floor were 2 trips of Sand, 1 trip of Gravel up to 9 bags of cement, 4 bags of lime, 2000 Bricks for the verandah, labour charges 100,000. In total we require about 600,000 to finish this work. A thorough and figuratively accurate report of our expenses and requirements will be given by the finance secretary in time. We are therefore challenged to work harder and pray that God may provide the required finances. We need to provide the materials within two weeks so that the work does not stall.
I would however, like to thank each and every one who has contributed to this work in whatever form. God only knows the rewards in stock for you but thank you so much and keep the fire burning. [… let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not (Galatians 6:9).] I convey a message of appreciation from the children and their blessing to all involved in this work. For those who did not go, am sorry, you missed to see those happy and expectant faces.
I would like to encourage us all to increase our efforts to see this work accomplished as the lord leads and guides us to reach every tear.
God Bless You All
Stephen
