Building a toilet

See that cement? I put that there. 

Today we began to build a toilet at the local school. By toilet I do not mean the bowl, but rather the room it is in. In Swaziland they call that a toilet, rather than a restroom, lavatory, or bathroom. It was tough work, but we made good progress. We began by piling up eight wheelbarrows worth of dirt and mixing it with cement and water. We loaded that back into the wheelbarrows, and moved it back behind the school where the toilet is being built. As I shoveled cement into the foundation, local workers filled wheelbarrows with cement and brought it over. I probably shoveled at least a ton of cement, and I can feel it. But the work is very rewarding. When we finished laying the floor, we began to put on the bricks. They are made of local mud, so they are the same colour as the ground. I learned how to make sure they are level, as well as grout. We finished for the day around 14:00. By that time I was covered in the beautiful red soil of Africa, as well as the not as beautiful cement.

Kitten at the building site

When I returned home, my roommates decided to watch The Lion King since we aren't seeing it in real life in Kruger like most of the volunteers. Wawa, one of the staff members here, had it on a thumb drive. When I put it into my computer I could see that there was also Swazi music on it, so I copied everything and I am listening to it now. It is probably the most beautiful music I have ever heard. Here is some for you :)

Michael laying bricks

After the movie, some American students who are taking a college course here made everyone hamburgers and apple pie for U.S. independence day. I had a veggie burger. I finished the day by talking to my roommates, and comparing everyday life in our respective countries. I love those types of conversations.

It may rain tomorrow, so I don't know if I will be able to work. We'll see. It will be hard to mix cement in the rain. My arms and back wouldn't mind a day off, but hopefully I will be able to do something.

Today's progress.