Two weeks have gone by and we are finally seeing the progress we’ve been working on. Restoring a building is quite different from building. First you uncover what is/was there. Then a plan is being made for repair actions: how will things get done, what changes will be made, where is upgrading required. We have made 300 mud bricks to fill openings and to replace areas of wall. Our choice for bricks has to do with the attraction moisture offers to termites. With bricks we minimize the introduction of moisture into the building. We are also avoiding any new wood elements: the new window frames are made of angle iron and anchors of the same material. Screened opening wings will be metal also. This is a big step for this building- initially it had no screens on its windows.

The electrical works are also in the process of upgrading: better placement of light fixtures, installation of fans and receptacles.

There are arches to be repaired, holes to be filled, doors to be re-framed, windows to be installed. Then the wall surfaces will receive a lime-stabilized plaster. The overall scope of work is larger than this group of participants can finish in the limited timeframe we have, so we have requested to bring in a local masons crew to work with us. This will also ensure that someone locally can do any further repair work, or maintenance work.

 

Questions that come up are about the benefit of camps like this: are we really helping? What is the real purpose of our being here? Is it the project work? Is it about connecting people from around the world who have common ideals? Who really wants to have an earthen house here? Can we actually build an earthen house here and expect it to last?

Many questions…some answers I hope are not too far off.