Final day on site and dedication ceremony

Today we only had a half day on site, because we were also hosting the home dedication ceremony.  We started to plaster the walls in only one room and then the gentlemen helped install the trusses for the roof.

Ryan carrying a truss for the roof

Sue, Julie and Micaela plastering the room

 We started with mixing the mortar and troweling it onto the walls.  We had to get a layer at least 1 inch thick.  We again had help from the local volunteers, who were much more skilled than we were.

 The gentlemen were able to get all 7 trusses onto the roof and the supports nailed in.

We also got the front window panes installed.  They were held in with putty that would seal the window once dry.

Patty and Ev installing the window panes

Patty and Ev on windows, Rick and Benedict on the roof

  We also got to get the front door ready by giving it a quick clean and then oil it with linseed oil.

Peggy oiling the front door

We were unable to get the aluminum sheeting on for the roof due to both time and weather.  It started raining towards the end of our work day, and continued throughout the day.  We brought balloons and the Habitat Lesotho staff helped us blow them up so we could hang them around the house.

Getting the balloons ready with Habitat Lesotho staff

  We then ended the roof work and started the dedication ceremony.  The village chief gave a talk about how thankful she was for both Habitat Lesotho and us for coming all the way to Lesotho to help give Tumisang a home.

The chief speaks

National Director of Habitat Lesotho Mathabo Makuta also gave a talk about our relationship with Habitat Lesotho.  This is our 1st trip to the country, but our second try to get there.  We first tried to come to Lesotho in 2014, but were diverted due to political unrest.  Tumisang also attempted to speak to us all, but was overcome with emotion.  His aunt gave a speech for him.

Tumisang trying to speak to the team

Tumisang's aunt speaking for him

 We were presented with a gift of a 5 gallon bucket of pinto beans from the chief, which we gave to Tumisang and his family, since we would not be able to bring them back to Colorado.

Beans, beans, beans

We were also presented with a Basotho hat and certificate from the affiliate.  After the ceremony was over, we had lunch catered in to the site, in the rain.

Here is the entire team with Tumisang in front of his house

We wished we would have been able to get the roof completed, but we were assured that the roof would be put on by Monday and then Tumisang would be able to begin to move in.  Abang, our host coordinator, stated that he would be able to send us a photo of the house with the roof on in the next couple of weeks.  Abang will be bringing another team into the village to build in 2 weeks.

This truly was an amazing experience for all involved.  This was the closest we got to completing a house since Cambodia, and it was especially impressive the amount of work that was completed in 3.5 days.  The community was amazing to work with and such a big part of why we were able to get so much done.  Thank you to Abang, our coordinator; Benedict and Azael our local construction crew; the chief and community for clearing this former kraal to make space for Tumisang's home; Lebohang, our Construction supervisor; Lebo, our Community coordinator; Mathabo the National Director, all the staff and local volunteers who came out to help us make Tumisang's dream come true.