Accomplishments from first 3 days in Rwanda

BobH and BobDF have been busy in Rugerero and have reported the following accomplishments:

1. Hiring a foreman to oversee the latrine construction - the foreman was recommended by Jean Bosco and is a skilled stone mason (the central wall dividing the pit will be constructed from stone)


2. Purchased supplies for the first four latrines


3. Visited a shop that can construct the forms for pouring the concrete slabs - the shop can make one form per day - they will make one form and test it this week, then proceed with making six forms total


4. Met with community to discuss the plans for latrine construction - the community agreed to provide labor for moving materials and cleaning out the bottom of the pits

We are excited about these achievements in the first few days on the ground. Jean Bosco (from Red Cross) is our primary contact and host in Rwanda - he has been very helpful (this picture shows BobH, BobDF and Jean Bosco on the last trip to Rwanda).

Transportation is being provided using the Red Cross van supplied by Jean Bosco - the van runs on Rwanda time, so the Bob's have had to be patient with getting a later start in the mornings than hoped. They have experimented with public transit, but the van still seems like the best option because hiring our own car and driver is very expensive.

Today, the foreman did not show up in Rugerero as expected but has promised to be there on time tomorrow to start working on preparing a pit and installing the dividing wall.

Generally, the team is a little frustrated that the project is not proceeding as quickly as they would like and the community is not willing to put in as much labor as hoped. We are learning to understand the culture of the community and how best to work with them.