Sierra Leone
NEW SCHOOL BUILDING NEARS COMPLETION

The new school building nears completion, now scheduled for November 2005. Building work began on 11th December 2004. The early arrival of the rainy season meant that work had to proceed at a slower pace than hoped. But in June the new zinc roof was put in place.  The work has been entirely carried out by teams of youth volunteers from the village working under the instruction of a local builder. In total 100 volunteers working in groups of five have given their time.

As many materials as could be collected locally were used in the construction, including sand, rocks and timbers.  In addition, the building blocks were also made by the village. Funds for the new school building  were raised by Brandeston School in Suffolk, who held a series of fundraising events throughout the school year and  succeeded in raising a total of £8361.

Thanks to Brandeston School’s  remarkable achievement the new building, which was originally planned to have four classrooms has been extended to include five classrooms, a library, storeroom and staffroom. In addition a three bedroom guesthouse has been built for the use of  visiting staff.

Plastering and painting of the new building will begin soon. There will be an official opening ceremony to coincide with the start of  the next school term in January 2006

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