Yesterday we finally had the chance to go check out the construction progress and things look great. As you can see in the pictures below, the roof is on, the walls are finished, and the bricks needed to install the “petit mur” (little wall) that gives added stability to the metal roof are made. We should be receiving the rest of the construction money sometime this week (many thanks to my parents for being our state-side banking people) and with that the windows will be finished, electricity and fans installed, and the painting done within the next two weeks. The director of the school is responsible for finishing the walls and windows in the two classrooms we provided the roof for, but as he plans to use these classrooms as soon as possible we are sure they will also be complete very soon.
Meanwhile, we are working on having things ready to get the program up and running as soon as construction is finished. Last week we catalogued all of the books we have with us so far, and Neal is going to create an aesthetically pleasing library catalogue search which will put us one step ahead of the Malian national library which is still using a handwritten card-catalogue. Our next shipment of books should be starting its journey from Portland very soon (many thanks to the donors who gave us our books as well as our friend Keenan who has taken on the task of sending them). We are also working with my host brother Madou, a carpenter, on getting an estimate for the furniture we need and Baïssou and Robert are starting the search for cours privés (the additional classes the center will offer on weekends) teachers.
It is a very exciting time, even as we continue to note the massive challenges facing the Malian education system in general and our project in particular. On Thursday we are going to survey students and teachers who will hopefully be using the center, which promises to be enlightening. I'll write again after that.
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