General Progress

Final Roof design sketch

Showing new skylight and double pitch roof.

Benches

Post 4

With two and a bit weeks to go before the completion date work has stepped up a gear. The roofers have finished most of the main structure and are adding the batons making the whole roof resemble a upturned wicker basket! Fred the builder have discussed how to set out the bricks as due their dimensions we are only able to set them out a certain way; the problem is that one length does not equal two widths plus a joint. We have worked round it and are undertaking the tiring process of transferring the 5000 bricks from the bottom of the site to the top in wheel barrows. The bricks look good though the stabalised rammed earth, air-died method of making them means they are heavy and pretty fragile. The reason we are using them is that it recycles the earth and saves a lot of energy and carbon by not firing them. There is an issue of deforestation in Uganda so this method is much more sustainable only using 6% cement in the mix. The second batch of benches have arrived and look excellent. It will be tight but we might just about make the deadline though do have overrun time if needed.

In other news i'm looking forward to attending my first Ugandan Wedding on Saturday which should be amazing. It's a small wedding by Ugandan standards of 250 guests, average is around 600!  Thanks again for all the support.

welaba

Bricks

 Working out the setting out of the bricks according to the less than helpful dimensions of them

General Progress

 Stripping the bark for the batons

Post 3

This post is coming to you from Rev Diana's office at All Saints Cathedral.

I will try and keep this update fairly brief. As far as work on the chapel is concerned there have been a lot of changes as the roof starts to take place. Most of the main beams are in place and should be finished by Wednesday. There have been quite a few issues to iron out with the roof regarding maintaining a suitable pitch to ensure the roof is water proof vs ensuring a good view of the walls. A few compromises have had to be made on both sides but I think we have pretty much reached a final soloution that the roofers and I are happy with. The roof is now two pitches with a skylight at the top to ensure enough light into the space and some ventilation. It will also add some drama to teh now tall inner space. I will try to post some more images later in the week. Furthermore we had the first delivery of benches for the chapel which look great, they are slightly curved to match the curved walls.

This week I was also able to visit my university friend Adam Rush at the project he is working with for 7 months. They are called 'Revelation Life' and are an organisation that works in the slum areas outside the city, building relationships and discipling the inhabitants. Their aim is to bring transformation to the areas through the gospel, and to seek ways to change improve the conditions of the areas themselves. A large undertaking as one slum contains 1 million inhabitants; but very encouraging to see the reall difference the work is having with 60 people being saved this past year.

Thankyou for your continued support