Framing a school for 400 or so children

With the retaining walls complete, we were able to start the framing process. The following photos give an idea of what all goes into the primary framing of a school structure. Each of the school classroom ceiling’s ridge-beam (the schools max height) rests at just over 4.5 meters.  That does not include the 1 meter that goes into the ground, and the 60 centimeters or so that rest in rock and concrete.  Meanwhile, the average diameter of these posts is about 20 centimeters.

What that means… Our center supports are long and heavy.  For those too lazy to do the math, that’s about 20 feet and an average diameter of 8 inches or so.  As a result, some of these beams weigh in excess of 250 pounds.   Its a group effort hoisting said beams into place.

The following photos share how we work with such monolithic pieces of lumber, and how we are able to build a level, plum, and square structure out of mostly crooked trees.

Nearly 30 percent of the wood used in the Kololo build was either donated by or
 purchased  from Kololo community members.  This shot shows Daniel and Ijigu
totting back a 8.5 meter ridge beam (freshly cut tree) from the Kololo Daniel's
farm.  Its a lengthy uphill walk.  

Trimming down trees one by one, with the power of two mens arms
and a bow saw.

Tamesken marking level for the cut.  Sallamnesh (far right)
has knack for "borrowing" Ijigu and I's hats.

We attach level lines to our outside center posts .  It makes the
task of  finding level  and plum much easier on everyone.

On average it takes three people to carry a ridge beam support to its hole,
and four people to safely  raise it into position.  

What 5 days of measuring, lifting and twisting looks like.

This is about 1/5 of the amount of wood needed for the framing phase of the build.  

A proud crew poses down amongst their hard work.

From left to right: Marcos, Sallamnesh, Worke, Ijigu, Cababush, Dabebe,
Tamesken, Petros, Matio's daughter, Saqanesh, Legessa, and Andiso.