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The bricklaying work was more or less completed by the middle of April, and now the roofers are at work. One part is already covered with an aluminum-zinc finish, so we have an idea of what the roof will look like when it is done. And it will look good and it is solid as well. Now we will be finishing all of the other construction parts made of iron. As soon as the erecting and welding are done, the roof can be completed too.

We are very pleased, that we could engage Mamadou Junior Mané for this part of the construction. He is an accomplished roofer and has lots of experience. His vast experience is especially needed, as the classrooms are set diagonally which is a special challenge, because the water drainage changes its direction in the last part and needs to go towards the toilets.

The entrance door as well as all of the windows of the "Grand Section" are already installed, so this part of the building looks almost finished. The sight makes my heart sing. During the next couple of weeks, the rest of the windows and doors will be installed as well. At the same time, the base can be cemented and the water pipes and power supply lines can be laid. After finishing those jobs, the stucco can be applied as well as the first two coats of paint. That way the building will be well enough protected in the three to four months of heavy rain.

The last couple of jobs to complete the kindergarten will be done in the fall. On the one hand there had been some delays and on the other hand we are still waiting for the power pole that should get erected nearby. The last 1.5 km of the water lines from Sédjiou to Goudiabya still have to get laid too. That should be completed in July 2018. We won't be finishing the sanitary installations until autumn, when we have running water. Finally the painters will be able to give the rooms some color on the inside and then the tiles for the floors can be laid. When the insides of the rooms are completed, the tables and chairs will be delivered and the classrooms will be fully furnished.

As these last couple of jobs are being completed in October, (that is when the new school year is almost ready to begin) and  the new professional teachers as well as a kindergarten principal will be elected and employed by the state. We are already now in conversation with the responsible persons. (Picture: Elhadji with Inspecteur Sagna, kindergarten division). At the same time, parents can enroll their three, four and five-year-olds in kindergarten. The school year is expected to start in November 2018.

I will be visiting Switzerland once again from the middle of June to the end of September. In this time I will be taking care of different activities for our association and hopefully will also have time to recover from this very intense building phase. I am excited to see my loved ones again, to enjoy days at the lake, to hike in the mountains and enjoy all the many things I miss here in Senegal.

Regards, Marielle Furter