Improve Education for 400 Children on Idjwi Island

In November we completed construction of a stone and mortar foundation for the new classroom building, administrative offices, and latrines at EP Buhumba. The work was performed by a general contracting firm based in Goma, DRC, with experience in building and rehabilitating schools in South Kivu, DRC.  

Here is BR Construction's report on the construction:

As there are only three small trucks for the population of 250,000 on Idjwi Island, we brought a truck by boat to Idjwi to help ship materials, including stone sourced from Idjwi Island. The rains caused some delays in the transportation of heavy materials such as sand, stones, and water across the muddy roads on Idjwi.  We trained local assistant masons on Idjwi Island, and one-half of the masons hired for the project were from the Idjwi local community.  As we had extra materials, we added a second room to the administrative building to provide space for the teachers to prepare their lessons.  We also hired a security guard to watch the site and construction materials.  The workers all received daily payments, plus food, transportation, and medical fees during the construction.

We projected that foundation could be completed in 30 days. Due to the rains, the project took a total of about 50 days to complete.  It was completed on budget.  We are also doing some final elevation works on the school ground.  As there is no compactor on Idjwi Island, the foundation is now being compacted by dirt and rain water so that the walls do not develop cracks.  Once the compacting is complete, the foundations will be ready for the completion of the buildings. 

This month more than 300 eager children are returning to school at EP Buhumba on Idjwi Island! 

This new school year is especially exciting because we have started construction on a new school and administrative office for the primary school. 

In April, members of our board traveled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where we interviewed multiple contractors who have experience building schools in Eastern Congo. Following a competitive bidding process, we hired a contractor with experience building schools in Goma and with construction projects on Idjwi Island. After inspecting the site and obtaining sketches from an architect, our local project managers have prepared the site and obtained the materials for the construction. In Goma, we filled a truck with materials and sent the truck to Idjwi by boat.  After unloading the materials, we used the truck to deliver stones from a local quarry on Idjwi Island. The construction project is providing valuable jobs for workers on Idjwi Island, all under the supervision of trained and experienced engineers. We expect to have the foundation completed by early October.

The construction is not interfering with the ongoing programs at EP Buhumba. The students are still attending classes in the existing school (which can be seen in the background of the photo).  Their regular curriculum is being complimented by instruction in sustainable farming through our Bustani Garden Project, which is providing practical training in proper techniques for soil preparation, crop rotation, and cultivating local crops. 

Thank you for your continued support for this important project.