Cutting it Fine

Roger and I were just going through the gate to join our flight to Kigali when Callum phoned to say that the Rwandan team at last had in their hands the construction certificate.

Rog at Schiphol

We knew a few days ago that the planning application had been accepted, but the piece of paper that allows us to actually build had been a bit elusive. Our trip this time is focussed on starting construction, and without the certificate the journey would have been a damp squib.

So by the time we were leaving Nairobi we were pretty positive, and so it has continued all day. We arrived at Kigali at 8am having flown overnight - slept not a lot! Filled with 2 continental breakfasts care of Kenya Airways we caught a taxi to Solace Guest house, and dropped off our bags.

Our first meeting was at 11.30am, so we lost no time in getting to Remera by taximoto - no racing this time! A quick walk down the dirt track and we were at Norbert's who is our architect for monitoring the project.

This was no quiet introduction to construction management - we had 3.5 hours going over everything about the College building and particularly prices. After that time I was sure that an additional £15,000 had been added to the cost of the building.

Then the builders arrived, and brought much clarity to the subject and now its only £10,000 over!

I do not think I will get any marks from Callum for keeping the costs down, but then we seem to be getting a pretty good deal - value wise.

So, tomorrow we mark out the platform for the College and on Monday the bulldozer is arriving. It should take 4 days to move the earth - and Rog and I are determined to get  a go at some earth moving - expect lots of photos

Regards to all our supporters

Gary and Roger.