Construction of the Rainwater Court is underway and in full swing at Mahiga! Boslika Building Contractors have hired a large group of the local community, and they are quickly making progress. The primary and secondary schools are both on semester break this month, and the relatively quiet construction site is allowing the team to push extra hard to get foundations securely in place, and up above ground before the Long Rain season takes full effect.

I want to thank George and Elijah from Mahiga for all their hard work helping me document the process over the last week! George is a current student at Mahiga Hope Highschool, and has come in everyday on his semester break to help out; as an aspiring journalist, it's right up his alley. Elijah attended primary school at Mahiga, and recently graduated from a high school in Nyeri. He's in the process of applying for architectural school in Mombasa, and it's great to have him around learning about the process, organizing, documenting, and acting as the official "project intern".

We started with a groundbreaking that had over 40 workers getting after the substantial earthwork required for the foundation trenches. After much hard work the final level was reached, at over ten feet deep on the highest side of the hill. We had a slight delay with the foundation trenches underneath the stage, mechanical and changing rooms. Our team's lead structural engineer, Nicholas Ngugi, of Feruzzi Associates, found that we were resting on a loose soil strata the test pits didn't reveal. But after a few tests, some quick calculations, and addition excavation we were right back on track.

Nicholas was back on site at the end of last week, to inspect the final leveling, and steel reinforcement for the foundation. With everything looking great (even the re-bar I tied), foundation pours started right away. Yesterday, despite rains in the afternoon, the last of concrete of the strip foundation was poured. This week we'll be starting the form work required to pour column bases, and the sub surface walling for the block of rooms.

Fabrication of the steel columns and trusses should be underway at the Boslika workshop by the end of the week, so check back soon for more photos of the progress.

Have a good one,
Greg

We've had an amazing few weeks of progress here in Mahiga. The tender process has come to an end with the construction contract awarded to the local firm Boslika Building Contractors. We are very excited to start a fruitful relationship and construction process with Boslika, with the site officially being handed over on Monday.

In anticipation of the coming rains and construction schedule, the community turned out in full force last week to repair the roads leading to the site. Our Community Partners at the Nobelity Project and the local Constituency Development Fund provided all the gravel needed to keep materials rolling to the site of the Rainwater Court, and Mahiga Hope Highschool.

Once the truckloads of gravel arrived, in an awesome display of support, the community made quick work! Over 115 community members showed up with shovels and hoes in hand to efficiently spread and pack the gravel. There were smiles all around as everyone from recent grads to grandmothers worked side by side. Once we were done everyone kicked back in the shade for some laughs and a hearty meal of Ugali.

Look out for ground breaking pictures later this week!

Have a Good One,

Greg

School is back in session at the Mahiga school, and the Rainwater Court is in motion! Our engineering team has finished all the final touches in the structural department, and have been churning out construction drawings. This week the tender process went underway, with five different local construction firms from Nyeri bidding for the work. It's just a short matter of time before the construction contract will be awarded, and shovels will be in the ground.

A few additions have been to the project along the way, including more built in seating for players and spectators alike. The seats double as column shrouds, providing both a great place to watch the game, and increased structural stability. (Looks for detail drawings soon)

Once construction gets underway, we will be doing some materials testing that promises to be a great time for everyone. On the surface of the 30,000 liter capacity storage tanks, each of the students will have the chance to imprint and paint their hands for a uniquely Mahiga texture.

I'm beginning work with the secondary students to design a Mahiga logo and graphics for the South facade, which we'll bring to the community for some pointers and final selections.

Pretty soon the harvest will begin in Mahiga and surrounding communities, and the rains over the past month are turning out to yield a bumper crop. It's really exciting to see the construction process in motion.....Stay tuned for more updates.

Have a good one,
Greg

There is a tangible buzz if excitement as the project is starting to move out of the drawings and into reality! With the help of the form 1\ 9th grade students, the court and buildings have been measured and flagged on site. It’s amazing to see with certainty exactly where the court will be constructed.

Our project manager Michael Jones jumped the pond from the California office, and was on site in Mahiga this week to observe the progress that has been steadily rolling on. His arrival was marked with a procession of some amazing song and dance provided by the students. While we were planting some trees during Michael’s visit, dark clouds rolled down from Mount Kenya and graced us with an all out downpour. Over the past few weeks the much anticipated rains have transformed the region from dusty brown to brilliant green, reviving the natural vegetation and providing a healthy start to the crops.

We have contracted Ferruzi and Associates as the lead projects engineers, and they are hard at work finishing up calculations of the structure and foundations. The environmental Impact Assessment is being completed by William our environmental consultant at Mazingira. The approvals process is underway and we’re hoping for a swift completion with-in the following weeks.

Along with the community I want to congratulate the standard 8 class for all their hard work preparing for and completing the national exams.

Keep posted for more updates and have a good one,

Greg

On the morning of September 5th we held our first community design meeting for the Mahiga rainwater court. It was attended by over 60 members of the community. Participants included neighbors, parents, members of the school and church steering boards, teachers, local council members, representatives of St. Joesph’s Parish (founders and sponsors of the primary school) and past graduates of the school itself. We came together with two main goals for the day:

First, an introduction of myself, Architecture for Humanity, and the Rainwater Court project. Secondly to dialog and receive the community’s input on the current schematic designs, and the ongoing programming process.

The meeting got off to a delayed start when the government sponsored school food supply arrived. In previous years, sub-standard corn had been delivered, and the community was there for full inspections. Parents, teachers, and other community members alike banded together in the effort. One of every ten bags was cut open, spread out on a tarp, and carefully scrutinized for proper shape, color, density, and smell. The process was an amazing display of solidarity that turned out to be the perfect introduction to a community meeting.

Once we got underway, I was introduced by Principle Kimani and walked through Architecture for Humanity as an organization, and what we are here to help with. I covered the entire design process to date and went step by step through the evolution of the design. We looked at plots of the design progression, and talked about the current renderings. Our community partner Joseph Mutongu was a huge help to the meeting’s continuity as he translated between Engligh and Kikuyu.

After the main presentation was over, the organized discussion started. Most of everyone attending were hesitant to share at first. But after a few people spoke up,the dialog began and the meeting really took off. We all cracked a cold soda and began a great feedback session. The open discussion escalated into the group exercise. In a nod to the primary school room we were in, we counted off 1,2,3,4,5…..1,2,3,4,5……to split into groups. Those community members who were well versed in English and Kikuyu volunteered to lead each of the respective groups. The room was buzzing with laughter and excitement as the groups answered the questionnaires, and people circulated to the front to take a closer look at the drawings.

So without further introduction….the group responses………….

What is important in a Gathering Space?
“People sharing Ideas”
“Holding the community”
“It makes people to unite by changing minds in order to progress”
“Discussing the development of our local area and the major problems affecting us”
“Interaction of our children and outsiders will be beneficial to the community”

How do you see the community using the space?
“They will be happy to have a space”
“It will be a great help”
“pleased”
“Excellent! Enhances the social interaction amongst the people. Gives a conclusive environment to the community when airing their views cum holding their local meetings”
“The community will use the hall for entertainment, public address, weddings, choirs, and public rallies”
“These facilities will offer our children indoor games especially badminton, table tennis, ring, scramble and drafts chess”

What do you do on the weekends?
“activities of the youth are playing football and volleyball”
“Mainly household chores in farms with or without recreation activities. Other activities include: Attending wedding ceremonies, other group meetings inclusive”
“have time of discussion about living matters”
“I like to go for walks”

Where are current gatherings held? What are your likes and dislikes?
“School fields or the church hall”
“Current gatherings are held in open areas like school fields which renders them them less fruitful due to the harsh weather during the course. Surely the place does not offer the best environment especially when the weather is hostile.”
“At local churches”
“The community may be meeting in open spaces near market place next to the main roads. These areas are not conducive to public rallies”
“They are held on the open grounds”

Local Inspirations? Customs \ events\ objects Unique to Mahiga!
“Weddings, Clan meetings, Evening games for youth”
“Having the best of social facilities that may uplift the standards of our living. The facilities may include a general purpose office where such functions like wedding preparation and mobile clinics can be held.”
“Clan meetings unique to every member of Mahiga community!”

What are your questions and concerns for the project?
“Would you please include a clinic in the compound?”
“Will there be any price attached to the usage of the facility underway?”
“DO they need other projects apart from this?”
“How else are you (Greg) willing to help the community?”
“When will the facilities be ready for our children?”

It’s been a great month here in Mahiga. We are busy working out the final schematic design and costing. There has been great dialog between the school and the community working out the site plan.

A big thanks to everyone in the community who helped me find a place to move into in Mweiga. It’s great to finally be out of the hotel and living with the community!

Even with a local wedding held at the same time, our first community design workshop had a turnout of over sixty people. We had some great discussions about the project. Everyone was extremely helpful sharing their input on how they would like to use the space, and are fully on board to help out with everything they can. As the hot afternoon progressed we all had some good laughs over a cold soda.

Research of local materials and constructions methods has been increasingly fruitful. We’ve come across an organization who specializes in the construction of Ferro Cement water tanks that will be a huge asset to the project.

The first rains of the season hit earlier this week, and we’re anxiously awaiting more! Keep a close eye out for the final schematic design coming soon!

Hakuna Matata