Planning

The planning for the trip started in October 2012. We looked at several possible projects in different countries and found this project that fits our criteria.

Challenging:
It will certainly be a challenge as we only have 11 days in which to build a 3 bedroom house.

Worthwhile:
Over the years to come, many children will have a safe place to live in and warm place to sleep in.

Sustainable:
The house will stand for years if not decades and serve the purpose it was build for.

Peer to peer involvement:
The orphans range in age from 2 to 18 and will provide the boys with opportunities where they can interact with their peers at the orphanage, other than just the building of the house, such as football or other games.

Accommodation:
Maguga Lodge will house the whole group and is only a 15 minute drive from the orphanage.

Logistics:
There are several businesses selling building material and tools an hours drive from the project location.

Health and safety:
The safety of the group is of utmost importance and we did a reconnaissance in 2012 to assess the environment and facilities to ensure that we can keep everybody safe during the trip and the activities we plan.



24 boys signed up for the trip and the group started to attend planning meetings in January 2013 where the nut and bolts of building a house was discussed. Each boy was given the task of preparing a 2 minute presentation on some or other activity related to constructing a house.

Mr Marchant, Mr White and Mr Smith walked the group through the different stages and tasks they will encounter while constructing a house, while Mrs Smith takes care of all the planning like accommodation, flights, transport, communications, finances etc.