The ribbon was cut, the dignitaries delivered long speeches, mango and orange trees were planted in the school grounds, gifts were exchanged. We received endless compliments from everyone. We were told that “it is the most beautiful school in the area”. A contractor who is building a school in Ho, asked for copies of the plans, he would like to propose a similar design on his next school project.

We aimed, at the beginning, to change the learning conditions of over hundred children by providing them shelter from the environment, four classrooms pavilion style. We ended up with an integrated structure, three buildings, eight classrooms, an administrative building that includes a head teacher office, teacher’s common room, Library, storage room and complete toilet system with septic tank (no running water). We also provided an imbedded conduit system in preparation for electricity and water harvesting system since there is no running water available in this area.

It occurred to us that a nice building would not guarantee a good education, so we aimed higher, worked with the authorities, and were able to change the school staff including the head teacher who appeared to be ineffective in educating. We arranged for three NGOs to be involved with the school, sending volunteers to teach and interact with the children as well as sending medical teams to check on the children’s well being. We also were able to get the authorities’ commitment for new furniture, electricity and the school participation in the Government food program. All these should happen this year.

After five months of daily pushing and arguing with the local community to come to work as they repeatedly promised they would, I feel drained. Anyone who read my previous journals knows that. Often I was forced to be the ‘bad guy’ to keep up with schedule, budget and to at least meet the minimum standards of workmanship.

We did our best to provide the children of this deprived community a better chance in life and wish the Airfield community a lot of luck. The future is in their hands. They hold the wheel now and they can steer it any way they would like. They dreamed for this school for a long time and finally it is theirs.