After a six-month break, construction of the eye hospital's first building recommenced. We received financial support for continuing the work among others from the "Opération Espérance" foundation of the French Taizé Community.
The work of masonry and brick production is continuing.
We are carrying out the brick manufacturing ourselves for cost-cutting reasons. We make the pressed "sol-brik" bricks from a mixture of the locally available red soil and 7% of cement. Out of it a machine produces moulded bricks under high pressure. These can be stacked immediately and the result is a smooth, even-surfaced wall that does not need plastering. The final red colour is beautiful and aesthetically pleasing, so there is no need for any painting.
The bricks fill the space created by the reinforced concrete column structure, so they do not have to carry much weight.
We are grateful for the support received through the Taizé Community, which enabled continuation of the work.
We are in great need of further help, and shall start a collection for the roof; it is important to be able to protect the structure as soon as possible, although the mason claims that the rain will not harm it.
Information regarding the progress of the construction will be available on our website.