So much to do and so little time to do it in. I am off to Abelemkpe this afternoon to visit the school where Jeff' is a teacher. It is next to the Kasapa telecommunications building. I never tell the taxi driver where I want to go, I always show him the words. Language is a barrier and it's worth writing down where you want to go. Those who know me, know that I plan and always try and develop a strategy. My African strategy is to get home safe each day. To do so, I have taken photographs of the neighbourhood, the street where the house is, the house, and a close up of it's complex address details. If I wanted to mail someone, you do not address the letter to the house like we do in the UK. There are too many houses, and some do not have addresses. It is always to a PO Box number. So if you are doing business with someone in Africa do not be surprised when they offer you a PO number and not a house address. I know the house number and the street but there are many numerals and a lot of detail on a wall plate near the gate. Similar details exist, often scrawled in paint on the walls of many other houses.
That is, those houses that have walls. It is so difficult in a blog to explain the variety of architecture and settlements that exist in this small part of Africa. Some wood, some concrete block, many with corrugated roofing and most sturdy structures constructed in block work. Lintels are supported during construction with bamboo. It is an astonishing site to see some of the five storey buildings construction in this way. The finished article looks good, but the building site activities do not look safe. three storey scaffolding towers, I recently went up a single storey one and it wobbled, and that was with a ladder tied to support it. These are crazy height towers for not so crazy workers. Poverty is forever present and those that work do what they are told or do not receive pay. There are no safety harnesses and no bump hats. Most of what we take for granted in the UK is no existent. But a lot of what we don't have is here in abundance; humility, kindness and social responsibility for your fellow man. This is a great country and these are great people.
That is, those houses that have walls. It is so difficult in a blog to explain the variety of architecture and settlements that exist in this small part of Africa. Some wood, some concrete block, many with corrugated roofing and most sturdy structures constructed in block work. Lintels are supported during construction with bamboo. It is an astonishing site to see some of the five storey buildings construction in this way. The finished article looks good, but the building site activities do not look safe. three storey scaffolding towers, I recently went up a single storey one and it wobbled, and that was with a ladder tied to support it. These are crazy height towers for not so crazy workers. Poverty is forever present and those that work do what they are told or do not receive pay. There are no safety harnesses and no bump hats. Most of what we take for granted in the UK is no existent. But a lot of what we don't have is here in abundance; humility, kindness and social responsibility for your fellow man. This is a great country and these are great people.
