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Mahiga High Rainwater Court
Thu, 2010-01-28 08:46
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, Fri, 2009-11-20 02:52
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 Wed, 2009-09-30 00:04
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? How do you see the community using the space? What do you do on the weekends? Where are current gatherings held? What are your likes and dislikes? Local Inspirations? Customs \ events\ objects Unique to Mahiga! What are your questions and concerns for the project? Sun, 2009-09-27 03:40
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 |
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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