Phase 3 Project Limpopo

During this summer, some of the students of the group returned to Calais village, for another 3 weeks, to complete the work that we had not quite managed to finish. It has been very interesting hearing how it went and fulfilling knowing that it has been brought to a much better standard.

Adding a third classroom, fitting out classrooms, glazing, painting, landscaping, finishing the toilet bloc and completing the drainage systems were their main aims.

• The internal finish of the classroom was improved by rendering the brickwork
• A block wall was constructed to the skeleton of the toilet block that had been erected during phase 2 The higher parts of the wall included timber frame and stud work
• The entrance of the toilet was designed on site, a timber screen set in front of the toilet entrance
• Flushing toilets (the only ones in the village) were installed
• A third classroom, two thirds of the other two, was constructed in the same way as those done in phase 2
• Steps were added to connect the different levels of concrete
• The floor of the office was completed
• Glazing was installed into the classroom windows

After phase 2, even though a lot of our setbacks were out of our control, it was such a shame that we could not leave the village with a complete building. Knowing that the group have been back and left a project that is now functional to the children and teachers is far more satisfying. It will help make such a difference to the local community and I really hope it initiates a positive development for them. I would be very interested, in the future, to see how Project Limpopo has helped Calais village.