Let Kids Smile Orphanage, Ghana; Architect’s Perspective
Since February 2007 I have been supervising the construction of a new Orphanage in Nkoranza, Central Ghana, W Africa. This is the story from the sweltering bush ……….
Brief
To design and build an orphanage for 32 homeless children and 4 carers in Nkoranza, central Ghana.
The kids at the old orphanage before they were evicted. They all love football, even the girls, but its too much for the younger ones!
Timescale
The children are staying in temporary accommodation while the new orphanage is being completed. Construction time is approximately 3 months but any delays will be exacerbated by the rains that are expected in April/May 2007. So the race is on!
Site
A 10 acre plot of farmland 15 minutes walk from the Nkoranza town centre will accommodate the new buildings and provide farmland for extra income. The site is on a hill with great views overlooking a valley and benefits from a good breeze and a number of mature trees. However, there is no electricity or water and access is by dirt track; not ideal for carting building materials or making concrete!
Some photos of the site and the view across the valley from the mangos
Funding
Currently funded by a Dutch charity, Let Kids Smile, the objective is to create an entirely independent orphanage. Let Kids Smile, Architects for Aid, Alan Camp Architects and many independent donors are clubbing together to raise £20,000 to complete the project. To make a donation please click on this link http://www.justgiving.com/adriangeaves and the money will be directed to Let Kids Smile
For further information go to http://www.architectsforaid.org/ghana.htm or http://www.letkidssmile.nl/
Costs
Land Purchase and Legals £2,000
Chiefs’ signature £300
Water pump £3,000
Material Costs £13,000
Labour costs £2,000
Total £20,300
Preparation Visit December 2007
A4A and I visited the stakeholders during a preparatory visit in December 2006. Site issues, design solutions, budgets and timescales were scoped and agreed.
Site plan showing the orphanage arranged in a ‘horse shoe’ around the mango trees for shade and views across farmland and valley …..
……. some sketch 3D’s courtesy of Erwin George
The girls had to walk 2km to collect water from a stream before the water pump was installed on the new site.
Week 1; Mon 5th Feb – Setting Out
Fortunately much of the groundwork regarding sourcing materials and labour had begun prior to my arrival by the orphanages Ghanaian co-ordinator, Yaa Morocco. Morocco and his partner Ellen have been invaluable intermediaries without whom the 3 month programme would be unrealistic! I was able to settle in and acclimatise to the 40 degree heat whilst figuring out how to set out a large circular building with a few pegs and some string!
The kids helped to set out the walls using pegs radiating from a centre point while the laterite stones for the walls arrive by tractor.
Week 2; Mon 12th Feb – Foundation Digging
The foundations had to be dug by hand using pick axe and shovel. Labourers were paid £1 per 60cm deep 4m long trench that took 2 hours to complete. Piece work proved to be a much more effective way of motivating people compared with day rates. I chipped in as much as I could but it was truly back breaking work and the intense heat meant that all I could do from midday was swelter in the shade.
Digging the foundations through compacted earth was tough work. In Ghana the employer must also feed the workforce and elevenses consisted of porridge with ground nuts and lunch boiled yam dipped into a bean sauce known as ampici.
The stone deliveries give the site a lunar feel while the mixing platform for the concrete is made.
Week 3; Mon 19th Feb – Laying Foundations
No sooner had we started and we were hit by a national shortage of cement. Luckily we managed to source some from neighbouring Togo but the lack of rain means that Lake Volta hydroelectric dam that provides most of Ghana’s energy is operating below capacity and this is affecting cement production. The laterite stone walls form the foundations and are built off a shallow concrete liner in the trench. The stones, sand and aggregate arrived by tractor in ‘trips’. No one actually knew how big a ‘trip’ was so all the orders were best estimates. My job was to make sure the walls were in the right line, which they were, sort of.
Kwasi, the head mason lays the first row of stones on the concrete footing. All the concrete and mortar is mixed by hand and some of the kids get into the spirit and build their own house!
Week 4; Mon 26th Feb – Walls up to Floor Level
This week marked a real increase in progress as we threw more labourers and masons at the project to get the building up to ground level. By the end week we had all the walls built up to floor level and many of the heavy palm tree columns lifted into place by hand. The HSE would have a field day but the most serious injury was a large splinter.
It takes 3 people to build a wall and the same again to watch in order for anything to get done as the walls with raised ground floors are buttressed for extra strength. I take one end whilst 10 strong men take the other as we lift the columns into place. The African version of St Peters Square takes shape.
Week 5; Mon 5th March – Ghana at 50
Ghana gained its independence from Britain 50 years ago this week but despite the celebrations most people took the opportunity to work. We have now assembled a conscientious team of labourers and masons and despite the water pump breaking down on Wednesday morning, good progress was made. By the end of the week the columns, floor slabs and veranda walls had been completed and we had made a start on the above ground walls.
Some volunteers help fetch water for the mortar while Kojo helps to dig the 3 foot holes for the palm tree trunk posts. The walls begin to take shape while Satchi, myself and Ajeli supervise. Ellen and myself discuss the roof and some of the younger ones have dinner.
Week 6; Mon 12th March – Community Labour and Rain
Local representatives had visited us two weeks earlier to find out more about the new orphanage and to offer help in the form of ‘Communal Labour’. On Wednesday morning 55 local farmers and women arrived and moved stones, pumped water, carried timber and weeded the farmland. The help was appreciated and it was good to see how well the new orphanage is being received in the local community. This week also saw rain for the first time since October. Nevertheless good progress was made and most walls are now complete up to lintel level.
The farmers weed the farmland while the ladies carry stones. The masons watch as a palm tree trunk is moved. My house at the nearby Hand in Hand project and me checking column heights. Walls are now complete up to lintel level and we hope to finish all the walls and start the roof by the end of next week.
