Week 5: Concrete Block Drama

Another interesting week here in Rwanda. Last week I touched base on the concrete block quality and that the contractor committed to replacing the blocks that I rejected. Well had another lost in translation experience! Went to site on Monday and found that no blocks had been replaced and in fact a tremendous amount of additional block wall that did not meet the quality expected had been installed over the weekend. Reviewed this with Theo the Hygebat Superintendent. Theo all of a sudden does not speak or understand my english! I make a call to the owner of Hygebat, Mugabo, and the owner of the Rwandan Architect Eudes, and request a meeting on site to resolve this issue. Mugabo again advises me that it will be corrected and that a new block making machine is being shipped in from Uganda. Met with Mugabo and Eudes on Wednesday. I again made it very clear that all block work had to be removed and quality block had to be manufactured and installed. Smooth block face and no chipped corners. There I was in the middle of these 2, Theo, 2 of their forman, the man making the blocks and a couple guys who lay the block, all speaking very fast Kenyarwanda about the situation which I have no idea what they are saying. Probably something along the lines of how can we get rid of this SOB from America! There conversation ends and Mugabo tells me that all block will be removed and he guarantees quality block with new machine. Requested that we travel back to Kigali to review the school St Ignaus so i can show him the quality I am looking for which we did. Traveled back to his yard to see new block machine just delivered. Feeling pretty good that the issue is finally resolved but no, another lost in translation situation occurs when I go to the site on Saturday. The good news is that the new machine is making the quality blocks that I am expecting. The bad news is that no walls have been removed. Theo explains that another sample wall will be made for my approval Monday and then they will remove walls at my direction. No sense in arguing as this is their way of business. Will hope for final resolution on Monday to my satisfaction. Sorry for the long drawn out story but trying to give you a feel on how difficult it is to get things done over here.
Aside from the block issue construction is actually going along well. Most of the building foundations are complete and hopefully walls will move ahead quickly. A couple of the pictures attached show rock being placed under the floor slabs. They call this Hardcore. Slabs will be placed on top of hardcore once roof is installed and interior walls have been plastered.
Was out on the ISAR Farm to review their irrigation pumping system from the lake to use same technology for our system. Beautiful farm. The attached pictures of the grass hut is where one of the farm workers lives. You can see his cot and the fire he has going inside. These are quite typical in the rural farming areas.Thought you would enjoy.
RGI has provided us with a car here in Kigali. Will be a nice change. Took it for a spin to Gashora Saturday and around town today. Stopped in at a travel agency today who is located in the hotel the movie Hotel Rwanda was based on. Want to plan a trip to see the mountain gorillas and also a short safari.
Not anymore other news. I am looking forward to 2 week break back in Seattle on September 7th. Glad I planned this from the beginning as it will definitely be required. Take care.