Jokadu News feedLatest News
30 Sep, 2008
Construction Work
The construction work outside the clinic has been slow since the end of June because the rainy season arrived in mid June. Naturally, as subsistence farmers, the villagers have spent their time preparing the land for planting their crops of rice, groundnut and cassava. Then there has been the religious observance of Ramadan, which has run for the whole month of September. During Ramadan you cannot eat or drink from 7:00am till 7:00pm, so in very hot, humid conditions manual work is kept to a minimum.
However we are pleased to report that some work has continued inside the clinic.
1. Electrical wiring has been completed and the sockets sighted. It now requires the ceiling roses, pull switches and finger switches to be fitted along with the main control box/panel. The whole system then has to be linked to the solar energy supply as and when agreed.
2. Piping for the plumbing has been installed and the washbasins, shower and toilet fittings are about to be completed. When the clinic is opened the current borehole water supply will be diverted to the clinic and the villagers will have to return to their original wells for water.
3. The interior doors have been made, hung and fitted with locks. The outside steel doors and ornate steel window security screens have been made and are in place. Pictures of these can be found on the project page.
4. The exterior and interior plastering is almost complete and a fine job has been done. Pictures of this can also be found on the project page.
5. Money has been transferred to the clinic bank account in order to buy glass for the windows. Mirror glass is to be used in the windows of the maternity ward, toilet and showers.
6. We have looked at a pro forma quote for tiling the floor of the clinic, both inside and outside. The estimated cost was £6,500. We have suggested that the outside [veranda & steps] could be tiled with broken tiles. This would 1/2 the cost, and look colourful. The Chief Nursing Officer has been consulted about tiling the walls of the wards. He has agreed that the grouting between the tiles is a risk factor as regards infection. He is happy for a good gloss paint to be used and that regular wash downs be instigated.
7. Construction of the septic tanks, by an outside contractor, is to start in November when the rains have stopped.
8. Masons will be employed to construct the staff accommodation at the same time. The footings have already been started.
9. The borehole is proving very popular. The water tastes good and the supply is satisfactory so far. Another picture is on the project page.
For that latest news about Bakang/Karantaba Lower Basic Primary School, please go to the education page.
However we are pleased to report that some work has continued inside the clinic.
1. Electrical wiring has been completed and the sockets sighted. It now requires the ceiling roses, pull switches and finger switches to be fitted along with the main control box/panel. The whole system then has to be linked to the solar energy supply as and when agreed.
2. Piping for the plumbing has been installed and the washbasins, shower and toilet fittings are about to be completed. When the clinic is opened the current borehole water supply will be diverted to the clinic and the villagers will have to return to their original wells for water.
3. The interior doors have been made, hung and fitted with locks. The outside steel doors and ornate steel window security screens have been made and are in place. Pictures of these can be found on the project page.
4. The exterior and interior plastering is almost complete and a fine job has been done. Pictures of this can also be found on the project page.
5. Money has been transferred to the clinic bank account in order to buy glass for the windows. Mirror glass is to be used in the windows of the maternity ward, toilet and showers.
6. We have looked at a pro forma quote for tiling the floor of the clinic, both inside and outside. The estimated cost was £6,500. We have suggested that the outside [veranda & steps] could be tiled with broken tiles. This would 1/2 the cost, and look colourful. The Chief Nursing Officer has been consulted about tiling the walls of the wards. He has agreed that the grouting between the tiles is a risk factor as regards infection. He is happy for a good gloss paint to be used and that regular wash downs be instigated.
7. Construction of the septic tanks, by an outside contractor, is to start in November when the rains have stopped.
8. Masons will be employed to construct the staff accommodation at the same time. The footings have already been started.
9. The borehole is proving very popular. The water tastes good and the supply is satisfactory so far. Another picture is on the project page.
For that latest news about Bakang/Karantaba Lower Basic Primary School, please go to the education page.
