The need to earn money to purchase food is the motivation. The courage of pioneer women, Gulu, Ama, and Dina, of the Minogelti Women’s Cooperative, paved the way. And the energy of a German “angel” is making it a reality.
Building a permanent school versus a bamboo shed in Hamarland is a huge undertaking for a small organization like GTLI. We want a structure that will last (not collapse in 10 years because of termites), be cool, and use local materials without raping the environment. Fortunately, Peter Seiler, our German angel, is willing to make it happen. Check out his demonstration video at http://youtu.be/27-iIYGDK7k. Our school will have straight walls, electric lights powered by solar, and a thatched roof. The first of its kind in Hamarland!
The week of preparation in Addis was quite amazing. Peter expected to be in Addis three days, purchasing tools, lumber, etc. for the trip south. As it turned out, Tuesday was a holiday, Eid Al Fetir (the end of Ramadan), and instead of spending three hours at a Home Depot in the US, Bayu, Peter, and his helper, Elias, spent four long days scouring Addis for the necessary supplies, including 6,000 bags for earth and clay. And finally, a 5000 liter Roto (a heavy duty plastic water reservoir) we’ve been wanting for the past year was found, but no lumber for the roof trusses.
Even though it was five hours past designated departure time, at 4pm Friday, Peter and Solomon (GTLI Program Manager) squeezed into the cab of the ISUZU with Elias and the driver bound for Hamarland.
I received a call yesterday afternoon. They found the lumber in Sodo (half the distance to Hamarland). Thank goodness…but since the truck was full, half the load, including our long awaited Roto, was offloaded and stored in Sodo, waiting for an available truck.
The news that makes me most nervous, however, is that on Monday, Bayu and I are expected to purchase the solar panel system so Peter can install it. Gosh, talk about stepping outside my comfort zone. Strange as it may seem, I’m more comfortable living alone in Africa and implementing projects in a remote, hardship area than I am purchasing unfamiliar technology – and I used to run a software company!
2 comments:
Hi Lari,
This is Mike, Peter's brother. Please keep letting me know what Peter is up to. His mom will be hanging onto your every word.
- Mike
Hi Lori,
We are wanting to hear the latest about Peter's work with the Hamar tribe in south Omo starting first of this year, 2012. Please post as much info and photos as you can about his progress over your website. Many of his friends here in my hometown of Greensboro NC would like to follow this story. I am a long-time friend and admirer of Peter and his skills - he is one of a kind!
Thanks for all you do.
Sincerely,
Nancy Oden
NC, USA
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