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Kurugu Vohoyili Solar Pilot Day 2: Construction Begins!

When Shak and I arrived in Kurugu Vohoyili this morning, the location for the solar center had been selected and there were bricks laid out to show the structure outline. The community chose a great spot for their charging hub – nicely secure in the center of the community with plenty of sunlight!

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We went to the chairman’s house and he said they were ready to get to work! Before we knew it, there was gravel (clay-like substance from the ground used to build all the huts in the community) being mixed with water and small boys carrying out gravel bricks to construct the center.

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In planning for the pilot, we decided that building a village hut would be perfect to house the solar charging hub – it blends in with the community and is made from local materials. The community agreed. Families donated gravel bricks already cut and dry and about 30 men came out to help build the structure.

It was a fantastic day. Within only a few hours we had the basic structure built. Shak joked (although somewhat serious) that he would use this technique to build a chicken coop; he had never built a village hut before and neither had I! Below are some pictures that show the progress of our day. Tomorrow we will be building the doors, window and securing the zinc roof.

-BrianĂ¡n

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Chairman (on the right) stands with an elder on the left in the outline of the solar center structure!

 

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Shak holds up his muddy hands! The building is getting underway.

 

 

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Getting up close and personal with gravel.
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Shak piles on muddy gravel to secure the bricks

 

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Taking a break with some kiddos.

 

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Elders and young men came to help out!
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The chairman oversees the window outline. They used a tree branch to secure the window frame!
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Young boys get in on the action!
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An elder with an awesome hat uses his machete to flatten the gravel as it begins to harden in the sun.
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Day 2 solar charging hub building structure complete! The community members who helped gather for a picture.
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Standing in the doorway, thanks Baba for the picture!
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Kurugu Vohoyili community members who were central in the building process!