Week ten 20.06.09- 27.06.09

Volunteers involved:

Jonathan Baldwin (Manchester)
Susie Kelsall (London)
Alice leFlemming (London)

What was the aim for the week?
Block making and continuing with foundations

What was achieved in the week?
Soil sieving for blocks, watering concrete and blocks, moving blocks into dry and move sand, terraced the hill to increase the surface area to dry quicker.

Week 10 will be remembered for the rain! On arrival to Dwabor we were greeted with an almighty rain storm and all huddled in the kitchen. Work on site was affected during the week so the game of pass the pig, provided by Jon, became the day’s entertainment! All the volunteers worked so hard on site when the weather allowed it and also came to watch the community choir! Other highlights included seeing the car full to the brim of cassava and the strange abundance of hobnobs and tea! All in all a great week and a big thank you to Susie, Alice and Jon! We also can’t forget to mention Andy and Simon, who are still working hard!

Jon “I have a good time but disappointed we couldn’t achieve more due to the weather”

Susie “it has been a really enlightening experience. The community has been really welcoming. One thing I won’t miss is Andy’s singing!”

Alice “its given me a taste to do something like this, having been on holiday in Africa I prefer living in the community and have been surprised at the interest form the locals. Wish I could stay another week!”

Week nine 14.06.09-20.06.09

Volunteers involved:
Sharon Mault (Manchester)
Osman Khan (London)
Chris Lord (Manchester)

What was the aim for the week?
· Continuation of foundations of KG2
· Digging foundations of KG1

What was achieved in the week?
· Drainage for site
· Pouring of the foundations KG2
· Block making commenced
· Soil sieving

Week nine was another great one! Sharon, Osman and Chris worked through the blistering heat and the pouring rain. Funny moments included Chris’ sleep talking about the ‘get me out of the blue tape’ (mosquito net!) and Osman’s impact on Noble “I AM A MAN!”
Hard work saw the foundations of KG2 finished, the bedford dug out of the bamboo swamps and a grasscutter for dinner!
Together with the community labour, labourers, football team and the volunteers week nine was great.

Osman “I feel have taken more from this project than I have been able to give.”

Chris “I’ve enjoyed my time on the project, it has given me a greater appreciation of the building project and the challenges faced by the site team.”

Sharon “It has been a fantastic opportunity to make a small contribution to such an amazing community.”

Week Six - Howard and Della's Story

23 – 31st May Our week in Ghana

It was with some trepidation that we boarded the plane after hearing stories about frequent power cuts and the need for wet wipes as showers were a luxury. Let’s get things cleared up, conditions were basic but the guest house and the people we met were so welcoming that it soon felt like home.

The work was hard; digging ditches and tamping the ground in the sun and humidity meant that water breaks were a necessity. We found that doing the twist down the slope was the most effective way of ensuring that the dumped earth didn’t form too steeply and cause a potential hazard in the expected rain. We were constantly amazed by the ingenuity of the village workers creating tools to solve problems they were faced with. A trip to collect bamboo to make an A frame for a donated tent revealed just how practiced James and Michael were at choosing just the right piece to match the required length with minimal waste. The tent was erected just in time before the rain came and will hopefully provide a shelter for working and storage.

We were advised that charity work like this worked best when both parties got something out of it. We got loads. We met some fantastic people and some wonderful children. The elders made us welcome and the workers on the site were always willing to help us out. We were humbled by the way that the whole community worked together and supported each other and by the enthusiasm for learning shown by the pupils in an environment that lacked all the facilities pupils in this country take for granted.

‘A life changing experience’ can be a bit of a cliché but for us it was. In addition to all we saw and did we got engaged in front of the elders who celebrated with us and bestowed on us a Fanti blessing. It was amazing and we would like to extend a big THANK YOU to all who made the whole thing possible.

Week seven 30.05.09-06.06.09

Volunteers involved:

Elaine Sutcliff (Manchester)
Alison Patey (Southampton)
(Simon Costin also arrived!)

What was the aim for the week?
· Foundations
· Drainage
· Concrete works

What was achieved in the week?
· Creosoted formwork
· Continued preparation of trenches
· Protected setting posts from termites with paint
· Sieved sand for stabilized soil blocks
· Leveling of kitchen area began.

Elaine “the most rewarding blisters I have ever had!”

Alison “the Dwabor KG project was a challenging yet rewarding experience and the best way to sweat off those love handles!”

Week six 23.05.09-30.05.09

Volunteers involved:

Howard Spurgin (West Malling)
Della Wilson (Partner)

What was the aim for the week?
· Foundations
· Drainage
· Earthworks

What was achieved in the week?
· (Whacking) Tamping
· KG2 foundation trench completed to level.
· Blinding markers
· Leveled an area suitable for storage.
· Regarding. External works.
· Tent erected for the storage of block making and working in rain.
· Concrete mold.
· Got bamboo from forest for tent.

Week six was a great one with many exciting moments. Howard and Della arrived into the community greeted with smiles and warm welcomes. The hard work in the baking sun began in Monday morning, after being greeted formally by the elders, and a full morning whacking and leveling foundations lead to a good sleep on Monday night! Tuesday was another hard day working and ended with a tour of the village and saying hello to the friends already made from site. On Wednesday, Della came to school and did some reading with class 4. Wednesday evening saw in the first women’s group meeting in the Methodist Church. There was a great turn out and was a very positive start to the duration of this group! The plan to go to the beach on Thursday was stopped due to the rain storm that fell on Dwabor. So instead, it was dominoes, shopping for biscuits and drinking tea! However, Friday was by far the most exciting! First thing there was a meeting in the palace, (Della being oblivious to the fact it had been organised in the elders meeting on Monday!) there was a display of culture and a traditional wedding ceremony done by the elders. One of the most unique ways to propose to someone! Luckily, it was a big hug, smile and kiss from Della, followed by ”yes!” .
All in all a fantastic week! Howard and Della were great and really hard working as well as great to have around! Thank you Howard and Della! Also, thank you for all your generous donations and BA for giving the excess baggage allowance!
Medase pa paa pa!

Week five 16.05.09-22.06.09

Volunteers involved:


Barry Higgs (Manchester)
Gail Sutherland (Sister of Barry)
Simon Howson (London)

What was the aim for the week?
· Foundations
· Drainage
· Block making

What was achieved in the week?
· Water tanks erected
· Path to school
· Foundation levels set out.
· Foundation trenches roughed in.
· Cleared site for aggregate area, leveled and prepared.
· 50% rear bank regarded.
· Reinforced steel work fabrication commenced.

In just one week the site has moved into the foundation stages and progressed hugely. Barry, Simon and Gail’s contribution to the project has been amazing. The week got off to a good start with a scenic tour of Accra, as Simon had taken the key from the hostel so we had to turn around!
However, on arrival to Dwabor they were greeted with smiles, hellos and akwaabas! After a good sleep work began Monday morning. Temperatures nearing 33 degrees and lots of work to be done! The same being true in the current school for Gail. Gail had a true Ghanaian welcome to the school and was fantastic, bringing fun and enthusiasm to her reading classes.
She said “the children are so keen and eager to learn. Being someone that works with special needs children in the UK, you appreciate every success- however small they may seem!”
Gail brought smiles, knowledge and determination and did an amazing job!
As well as the determination shown in the classroom, a three hour PTA meeting in a hot room tested many peoples patience! The chief and headmaster along with all the elders and community members expressed their appreciation to sabre and the volunteers for coming to Dwabor and making such a difference. It was so lovely to see how much the community value the help they are receiving through this project!
Barry and Simon also relished the challenges on site and did brilliantly, erecting the polytanks in just one day! They both did their very best and made such a difference!
It was great to have Barry, Gail and Simon in Dwabor this week and thank them for their great contribution towards the project!


Barry “Never thought I’d enjoy being a vegetarian! And I miss my cold milk and cornflakes! It has been an intriguing experience, so glad I came!”

Simon “The response from the community it just incredible. Really glad to have got involved in this and it’s so great to use your skills in a world you couldn’t imagine in the UK. You make such a big difference, even in a week!”

Gail “Fante-astic! I think the Ghanaian smile says it al; hello, goodbye, thank you and we like you.”

Week four 09.05.09- 15.05.09

Volunteers involved:

Neels Heunis (London)
Charlotte Godfrey (London)
Tom Mason (London)

(Andy Turner also arrived!)

What was the aim for the week?
· Earthworks
· Making blocks
· Foundations and drainage

What was achieved in the week?
· Regarded the front slope of the site
· Strength Block testing
· Positioned the polytanks for concrete mixing

Vehicle access to site done

Neels “Got a new meaning of life”

Charlotte “It’s all about necessities not niceties”

Tom “I’ve been moved by the children out here, they’re terrific!”

Week three 02/05/09-08/05/09

Volunteers involved:

Angela Blair (Dubai)
Anne Johnson (Leeds)
James Sanderson (partner)

What was the aim for the week?
· Foundations and drainage
· Block making
· Leveling of site

What was achieved in the week?
· Site was leveled
· Store room treated and drainage done
· Earthworks
· Long drops dug and semi completed
· Treated tent legs
· Moved the platform!

Kitchen consultation

James “The best food I’ve ever eaten, will Sarah marry me?”

Angela “The children of Dwabor are delightful. The project will clearly benefit Dwabor and be appreciated by everyone.”

Anne Marie “Unforgettable experience! Be prepared to work but it’s definitely worth it!”

Week 2 25/04/09-02/05/09

Volunteers involved:

Stephen Wright (Birmingham)

What was the aim for the week?
· Continue leveling the site
· Build the material store hut
· Drainage
· Block making

What was achieved in the week?
· Material store hut constructed
· Soil tests completed


Steve’s week on the project was a great one, full of football, fun and hard work! As well as constructing the bamboo material store, he also went to chop the bamboo down in the bamboo forest just in the village! He also scored the winning goal (of a 1-0!) against the village at the football match with Dragoman and always kept the kids entertained with a quick kick about in the community. He was a hard worker and it shows in what was achieved in his week in Ghana.
Stephen-
“I would never have thought of coming to Ghana for a holiday but now I would happily come back with my girlfriend or family. It has completely changed my perception of Ghana as a country. I would love to come back and see the school when the project is completed.”

Week one 18.04.09- 25.04.09

Volunteers involved:

Dave Evans (London)
Phil Goode (London)
Eadaoin MacDonagh (Bristol)

What was the aim for the week?
· Leveling of the site
· Block making
· Trench digging
· Store hut construction
· Long drop digging

What was achieved in the week?
· Increase the enthusiasm of the community.
· Soil moved and compacted. (Estimated 150 cubic meters)
· Lots of hard work and sweating!
· Erected the tent for the workers.

Feedback and comments from the volunteers…

Dave-
Overall fantastic week, very eye opening well worth doing learned a lot about myself, others around and the community. Experience I will never forget. Amazed by the way the community operates and the level of discipline. The meeting with the elders at the beginning of the week was a highlight. Physically tougher than imagined but was able to find things to do when I was too exhausted to do the physical labour such as surveying the site, soil testing and laying out site grids. I can’t wait to see the finished project and will look forward to continuing updates from the Sabre team. There was a particularly a great group of volunteers who I got to know very well and now see as friends. The staff and community also who made the whole trip worth while. I love Cojo, he is the dog of my dreams…

Phil-
Life here is simple but it’s pure. There is no excess though it doesn’t seem as if anyone wants for anything. There is purpose in everything that is done and every member of the village has their own role. It’s a real eye opener for a 1st world westerner who hasn’t had to think about where the meal is coming from to be here. In theory, life like this should be horrific and a real struggle. In practice, it’s refreshingly simple. OK, people die here of disease (malaria, cholera, etc) but people die at home of heart disease and cancer. Life is a challenge and though we face different pressures in the UK to Ghana there is something about the mood of the people here that is right! They seem grateful and happy for everything and waste nothing. We on the other hand, moan and always look for something more and all of us waste amazing amounts without even thinking about it and we have the arrogance to think that we are more civilized. As I said, it is a real eye opener. It’s going to be difficult to get to the UK and see the contrast. Eadaoin and Dave both troopers (in the American sense) and had a great time!


Eadaoin-
Absolutely amazing! Experience of a lifetime, you’ll never meet people or experience a community like this anywhere else. I felt safe and happy in the community. Its brilliant to be part of something that’s really making a difference and to get so much encouragement and smiles from all the men, women and children as well as the goats, cockerels and flying ants. The set up (accommodation, Sabre crowd and being welcomed by the elders) is really good, you’re given the opportunity to give as much as you can in terms of work. Eye opening to witness subsistence living and little children were carrying babies on their back and huge weights on their heads! Really touching that they have accepted us so quickly even though we stand out so much. I’ve had great fun! The boys have been fantastic, such a great group! This hasn’t even really sunk in yet. I am extremely lucky to have come with Phil and Dave. I feel like I have really gotten to know them well and that will be an asset for our future working relationship. Words and photos can’t even begin to describe what it is like and what it feels like to be here.