We started the project with an idea, some hand drawn plans, and generous financial support from you. This idea has grown, the plans have changed, and our financial estimates have become somewhat obsolete. Shortly before I announced the project in the previous post entitled “The Need,” we completely overhauled the idea of constructing the stables with wood and instead decided to build with concrete blocks in the interest of longevity. Based on the advice of a mason we did not expect this to increase building costs significantly. I think it was wise to invest in something that will last for years rather than in a project with a short lifespan. However, the advice of the mason was not so sound.
I say that “we” started the project, but I use the word “we” liberally. In reality, it has been I that have been driving the project forward. Pastor Tukai has been helpful in teaching me how everything works and translating a bit, but he is always very busy and I suspect isn't too eager to sweat in the sun. Therefore the responsibility of project manager falls on my shoulders. There isn't a typical day for me anymore as I wear many hats. I have done everything from managing contracts with the “fundis” (a term used to describe any person who fixes or builds something) to sweating in the hot sun digging the foundation. It has been an unbelievable experience learning how business and negotiations work in Tanzania and working alongside African laborers. As I did not raise the money to support the project prior to breaking ground it has been a difficult balancing act between ensuring that we have enough building supplies and ensuring that we have enough money in the bank to pay the laborers. On one hand I don't want to pay workers to sit and wait for supplies, but on the other hand, it does little good to have all of the supplies without any money to pay laborers. It has been a struggle but a fantastic learning experience.
I want to share the financial status of the project to give a transparent picture of how your money has been spent. To date, I have raised $4,335 to put towards the project. This is fantastic and I am incredibly grateful to the individuals who have helped make this dream become a reality. By far the greatest cost of the project has been building materials. As the first row of rooms is 51 meters long, construction has required a plenitude of sand, stones, and cement eating away at the vast majority of the funds. The second major cost has been labor. This has been somewhat of an unexpected cost as I started the project with the understanding that we would be able to find cheep labor and volunteers to work through the church. However, as I mentioned before, I must be flexible and keep the project moving forward regardless of the obstacles. Another major unexpected cost has been general inflation of prices. When I initially calculated estimated costs I based a lot of the estimates on prices that Pastor Tukai claimed he knew. However, I soon realized that many of these prices were from the last time he checked at the shops which in some cases was two or three years ago.
Regardless of financial bumps in the road we now have 27 strong rooms constructed on a sturdy foundation and a good store of building supplies to keep the work moving forward. We are about $700 short of being able to complete the first structure which will be a major milestone for the project.
I have continued to recalculate expected costs as new information regarding building supplies and labor trickles in. As I mentioned, I am flexible with changes, but I do not like to give false information that might be misleading my readers. I have broken the project down into phases in order to be sure that we complete the most important aspects first in the case that money runs out. The first phase was to complete 27 rooms of the pig barn. As I mentioned, this is nearly complete and I am grateful for your help. The second phase will be to build a water tank to store water for the pigs to drink and for cleaning the stalls. This is an essential element of the project with a price tag of about $1,350 that includes the tank, a cement platform, the necessary plumbing and labor. The third phase of the project will be to build a store room for pig food and two small rooms where workers can live. To build this structure in it's entirety would cost about $1,250. The fourth phase will be to continue enlarging the pig barn to increase capacity and potential profit.
I am optimistic but realistic so I have sent my new short term goals carefully. In order to complete the first three phases of the project I must raise an additional $3,300 before December 21st. Economic times in America are difficult and I understand that while some people may desire to make a large contribution they may but be financially unable to fulfill their desire. Therefore, my first goal disregards the target amount I intend to fundraise and focuses on participation. Not only is it incredibly meaningful to me to have a large number of supporters, but also a little bit goes a long way in Tanzania. Even $30 is enough to pay three fundis and three laborers for one day of work. Every dollar counts.
The second goal does rely on the financial needs of the project. Before I leave I hope to have completed the first two phases of the project and have made some progress on the third phase. While three rooms for the third phase may be a bit ambitious, one simple room would be enough to make the pigs business operational. I think that these goals are optimistic but very realistic.
As in my previous posts I will be redundant in thanking the contributors to this project. It is incredibly exciting for me to watch the construction progress and I hope these pictures give you some sense of this excitement. None of this would be possible without your help and I am very grateful. I want to close by passing on the thoughts of Mama Monica. When she saw the progress of the project just before I left for Kilimanjaro, she was floored by your generosity. She was amazed at the scale of the project and the amount of money that you have been willing to contribute to bring it to life. She is excited and grateful that her large family will be more able to financially support themselves in the future. If you could see her smile and hear her laugh you would understand just how much this means.
Thank you!
