EMI - ELIMU MAZINGIRA IDODI
Feb 2008 : Click here for the story of the OPENING of this center!
LINK:
WONDERFUL SUPPORT FOR IDODI
SECONDARY SCHOOL FROM ALASKA!
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For more information on this project, please email suestol@bushlink.co.tz
Rob
Glen and Sue Stolberger have initiated the building of a center, which
will be a large multi-purpose, solar powered building, encompassing
a Library, a large hall for showing films and lectures, a display area
focusing on the environment, a reception room for the Headmaster and
teachers to use for small discussion groups We hope that on Saturdays
we will have an active environmental club that will utilize the building
for their activities. We also visualize that the room will be used for
film documentary shows, talks by invited speakers from the University
of Dares Salaam, Mweka Wildlife College, employees from Ruaha Park,
Teacher training sessions, etc. The list is endless, but certainly we
feel it will be a well used and is a much needed facility for this underdeveloped
area.
The
building has been constructed in an environmentally friendly way and
the simple brick making device that we used, will be donated to the
school on completion of the project. This hand operated machine makes
hollow blocks of cement and sand, and due to its economy on cement we
feel it will prove popular, and we hope it will revolutionize the way
that subsequent buildings are made in the school and surrounding village.
As, at present in the villages, bricks are made from clay, which is
dug out from vital wetland areas, thus, subsequently destroys the wetland.
These bricks are then baked hard in large ovens which are fired by burning
lots and lots of wood, which means the felling of many, many trees.
As a result this traditional method has a very negative effect on the
environment, so one of our 'missions' with this building, has been to
introduce more eco-friendly methods, which we hope will become the new
way forward for all new buildings there after.
Fiona
Oates is the architect, and works for the Diocese of Iringa. Fiona makes
regular trips down to oversee the process and Lucas is the project foreman
and is doing a fantastic job. All money for this project is being channeled
through the Ruaha Conservation Fund, Dr Dulle, who is the founder and
Chairman of the Fund is the chief co-ordinator of the project. We hope
that the building, which is now up to the ring-beam stage, will be completed
by the end of the year. Though we say it ourselves, the Centre is beginning
to take shape, Fiona's design with the big windows over-looking the
magnificent view of the valley is working well.
The school is extremely excited is about this new facility, and on our last site visit we had some of the fourth form students, who will be leaving this year, come up to us to say how disappointed they were that they would not be able to use the centre!
Due
to the sudden rise in the cost of building materials, we are looking
for additional funds to complete the building.
For more information on this project, please email suestol@bushlink.co.tz
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The Environmental Center really is coming along well now as I'm sure you will see by the pictures below. We suffered a series of set-backs earlier this year due to the heavy rains we 'enjoyed' this season. Plus we had a minor 'blip' with the construction of the roof, which has now been resolved. However we are thrilled by the way it is all taking shape.
The school and local communities are very excited about this new facility that they see emerging and we receive any positive comments on how much this center will be useful to all.
Thank you so much for your interest and support.
With best wishes, Sue and Rob
For more information on this project, please email suestol@bushlink.co.tz
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