October 2020

13 Buckden Roundabout October 2020 African orphanage The Dormitories Progress on site with the Admin Block generated a lot of inter- est from the local community, and Samwel was under a lot of pressure to accept orphaned children at the earliest possible time. Consequently he decided to proceed with the construc- tion of 2 dormitory buildings straight away. So, as soon as la- bour became available from the Admin Block, Samwel started on the dormitories. These were designed and built by Daniel, with no involvement from UK, and they are very satisfactory. The design is a timber, small span, framework with a profiled steel cladding roof and concrete walls. The result is shown be- low, and they have been occupied since early this year. Acknowledgements: To Samwel and his wife Lavender for their huge commitment towards helping to solve the problems of housing and edu- cating the many orphaned children on Mfangano. To David Bale for his huge generosity in funding this whole enterprise. To Daniel Watama for his skill and enthusiasm in converting drawings into reality. To Frederick and Wilson, Daniel ’ s key employees, for their en- ergy and skills in the assembly of the framed structure, and in making very few “ bananas ”. To Alan Wilson for his work over many years in developing this unusual steel framed building system. Twinning Mfangano school for orphans has been twinned with Buckden Primary School, and the elder children have received a presen- tation on the story outlined above. The children received the presentation enthusiastically, and it is to be hoped that there will be mutual benefits to both schools. Some of the orphaned children of Mfangano Keith Lawrence The completed framework, ready to receive external roof and wall cladding. External concrete blockwork walls going up