Homeschool room: from beginning to completion

After 2 months of teaching in our homes, we were very excited to move into our homeschool room.  It took several months to complete because Barry and Rolf were only able to give one day a week to the task.  In the end, they spent one full week of mornings and then it was ready to move into.

The room was originally a carport with just some supports and a tinroof.  So...a foundation was poured.  Sand was collected by Gumuz ladies and carried in gourds to the site.  Several Gumuz men collected large rocks around our houses and using a hammer, made gravel.  Then an Ethiopian contractor was hired to actually oversee the pouring of the foundation.  

After that Rolf and Barry measured, cut and installed the steel supports (to replace the termite eaten wooden poles).  Bachunk painted them and the door with anti rust paint and then the tin was installed on the outside and plywood was cut and installed for the inside. 

As you can tell, we began using the classroom as soon as the foundation was poured. 

Some of the challenges were: using battery drills and having to wait until the batteries are charged since we don’t have electricity, having to cover the bottoms of all the plywood sheets with linoleum to help prevent termites from eating the plywood, and the many different interruptions.

The kids were helpful in painting the walls and the room is bright and colourful. 

The walls are now covered by projects, artwork, etc.   The kids sit on locally made chairs and work at locally made tables.

Presently screens and a few more shutters need to be installed and in the future a ceiling as well (to reduce the heat radiating from the tin roof).

The room is a real blessing and is a place that we have dedicated to the Lord.  Our children spend many hours in this classroom each week and Nicole has done a fabulous job of setting it up.