We are finally off the ground and laying bricks at height.
The scaffolding was interesting (Tristram don't look at the pics) but Danni
carried out a full risk assessment and we were good to go.
There was a nice breeze today and we all felt a little more
confident in our masonry skill and were quickly shouting "Matope" and
"Chingwe Mamba" (more Mortar and bring the lines up). By the end of
the day both teams had completed four walls with doors and windows and they
were really looking like homes. Daima and
her brother are helping us build the house so it is great to get to know the
family better.
A harder part of the day was seeing the homes Enelesi and Daima are moving
from. It was very difficult not to be emotional when you see the small house in
which Daima and her 3 children live. We had chance to ask what will be the best
part of their new home. The answer was that when it rains they will be dry
whilst they sleep. Her current house has a grass roof and mud floor and the
rain can often come down hard. Her new home has a concrete floor and tin roof
so their possessions are protected from rain.
Just when you think you cannot feel any sadder about the
situation these lovely famillies are in the children of the village run up to
you smiling ear to ear and your heart lifts. The kids want to sing, play
football, dance and wave, I think they have all realised we are a bit of crazy
bunch and they are not wrong.
Being part of this experience has really been life-changing
and I want to thank Touchstone and Habitat for letting me be part of it.
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