By Nigel England | HANDS AROUND THE WORLD project co-ordinator
Dick Wheelock writes: "I spent most of April 2016 in Benin to meet up with old friends and see how the Chez Papa Geoff orphanage is progressing. Much has gone well but work has temporarily halted as everyone rushes to plant their maize before the rains.
For this visit I stayed in the orphanage to test the facilities which turned out to be wonderful even if bucket showers were the order of the day. The dormitories are well ventilated and were cool even during some very hot weather. The composting toilet functions as advertised, with no smell, and the separation of liquids / solids is foolproof with plenty of wood ash (to help composting) available throughout village."
Speaking to Dick on his return from Affame, it would seem that the hold up in accommodating the 22 children identified for the orphanage is the water pump. Due to the fine silt-like quality of the earth, the electric pump is clogging up. While there Dick was able to extend the depth of the well by 2 metres to allow the pump be suspended in the water. Also he has identified a new solar powered pump which will be both more effective and sustainable.
The main block with bedrooms, toilets, showers and an office are complete, as well as the kitchen area. The footings for the thatched dining hut are in place. Money sent recently will be spent on beds and mattresses so that the children can be admitted asap.
There is a bit of a delay at the moment as everybody is working in the fields prior to the rains. The dining hut can be completed when the children are on site.
We are now looking now the cost benefits of purchasing land for crops rather than rental. This would provide food and cash crops to secure the long term future of the project.
Education Project
Plans are in place to monitor attainment and attendance at the end of term. All schools are to send records of individual children to Dieu Donne (acting in loco parentis). He will then forward these to us to build into a spread sheet.
I will be visiting Affame in the 3rd week of October and should be able then to look at and discuss any discrepancies.
Thank you for your support for this wonderful project!
By Nigel England | HANDS AROUND THE WORLD Project Co-ordinator
By Nigel England | HANDS AROUND THE WORLD Project Co-ordinator
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