Orphanage in Sri Lanka Part 2
Update from Sri Lanka: The construction of the orphanage, whose builders WENZEL is supporting with 100 construction plans, is making visible progress. We present photos and information.
Dear readers,
We are currently supporting the construction project in Sri Lanka (read about it here) and have received an update from the student group that we would like to share with you.
Schedule tight, but everything on target
The volunteers are well on schedule so far. There are still about two weeks left to build windows, pour the ring beam, plane the roof rafters, install the ring beams and put the sheet metal roof on top. The local employees are helping in an exemplary manner and so the students are confident.
Sometimes the weather plays along, sometimes not
The weather offers a bit of everything, but especially strong changes. September is the rainy season, half the day can be rainy and condemn students to do nothing, e.g. when it comes to bricklaying, as the mortar is washed away. However, every day is different and the change between rain and sunshine is sometimes extremely rapid.
Communication and language barriers
Communication is difficult, but can be solved with "hands and feet". The locals hardly speak any English. Nevertheless, progress is being made. Cultural differences can also be observed: On the one hand, women on a construction site are extremely unusual for Sri Lanka. Secondly, there are both Sinhalese workers (who belong to Buddhism) and Tamils (who belong to Hinduism) on the construction site. Nevertheless, they live and work together without any problems.
Tea breaks are compulsory
The crew is otherwise in good health, albeit always exhausted after nine hours of work a day. However, tea breaks are compulsory and the local tradition of a birthday boy or girl being allowed to plant a tree is put into practice.
As you can see, the commitment of the student volunteers to this orphanage in Sri Lanka is unbroken. Support this project too, every euro helps:
Bank details: Förderverein Holzarchitektur an der TU München e. V. IBAN: DE61 7015 0000 1002 6580 01 BIC: SSKMDEMM
If you are interested in details about this project, here is the contact: Matthias Kestel matthias.kestel@tum.de, Tel +49 89 289 25452
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Matthias Wenzel
