Update for Project Make Space: December 13, 2010
After two and a half months Project Make Space is complete. On Saturday morning, just hours before the inauguration ceremony, painters were putting on last finishing touches for the new three-classroom school building. The inauguration ceremony was held in front of local community, school officials, and Peace Corps officials. Speeches of appreciation were given by various people, followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony. The school will be putting the classrooms into immediate use. Thank you so much for your support.
Update for Project Make Space: November 26, 2010
Two months have past since construction related to Project Make Space began. At the present moment the walls have been built, roof attached, and windows put it. In the coming weeks they will re-cement all the walls, paint, add doors and finish up the floors on the inside. The school has already ordered desks to be put in the new classrooms. At the same time plans are already being made to put the classrooms to good use; currently there are a number of classes with more than 90 students in them. These classes will be broken up, as more classrooms are available to do so.
Update for Project Make Space: October 1, 2010
It has not yet been a month since Project Make Space was fully funded, and construction is well on its way.
Upon confirmation from Peace Corps that indeed my eyes did not deceive me when my project came up as already funded online, I called the director of my school (the principal). He was of course so excited and we decided we’d meet as soon as vacation was over. Meanwhile he worked with the accountant at our school, who is from Matéri to mobilize finances to start construction.
As you may or may not know the school is providing nearly 40 percent of the total budget, and while we waited for the money from the Peace Corps Partnership Program (PCPP) to clear the community’s contribution jump started the process.
Yesterday I visited the school and walked the small construction site with my director. The new school building will sit back a little from one of the older set of classrooms, and will be close to the main road, which with time will be blocked off by the schools fence, which is also under construction.
So far the contractor hired to do the building, along with his workers, has done the excavation phase of the building, as well as laying the foundation. Construction of the walls has also already started. Side note: I actually teach the contractor’s son at school and did a girl’s camp with his daughter.
The director believes that as long as the remainder of the money arrives soon—it hit my account on Thursday—the project can be completed in a month. I plan on traveling to the bank in the next couple days to withdraw money to help finish phase two of the project, the fabrication of the walls.
If all goes as planned, the students will be able to use these classrooms well before the second semester starts in January. For more details and thoughts visit A Case of Anxiousness.
About Project Make Space
Why can’t the school build for themselves?
Months of teacher strikes throughout the country for not being paid for six months or more, or more than 60% of the student body not having access to books, are just a few indications funding availability in Benin. Additionally the schools receive no money from the local government body, the mayor’s office, and rely on student contributions. In Materi student contributions are the equivalent of $25 for the year, an amount that is significantly less than the majority of neighboring and regional secondary schools. The reason for the small amount; any higher and the students couldn’t go to school, and as it is there are still students who can’t afford to finish out the school year.
What is a PCPP?
A PCPP is a proposal submitted by volunteers looking to raise large amounts of money State side (All donations are 100% tax deductible). All communities are required to provide at least 25% of the proposed projects funding. Also proposal are designed to help provide community members with experience in money and project management skills. The idea is not to simply “turn over a check”, but to give the community ownership of the project. The secondary school in Materi is giving nearly 40% of the total projects budget, all of which will come from the school funding directly. Furthermore all construction will be done by host country nationals, thus boosting the local economy.
More than just a building ...
Following funding and completion of the building the students at Materi will not only use the classrooms for intellectual growth, but physical growth. We will be holding an information session on Moringa trees, which are being planted all over Benin in an effort to alleviate malnutrition. Following the information session we will plant trees around the new school building, thus also replacing those trees cut down to make the school building. More information on Moringa, can be found at Moringa Solution.
Media
Maryland Independent: Volunteer's African adventure prompts outreach back home ...Hood College Alum News: Blazer Links
Frederick News-Post: Fostering Education
JamieinBenin at Blogspot: How the Project Got Started
Share Our Strength: No Kids Hungry Blog: Building Change - Fighting Hunger in Africa
Maryland Independent:
