Wednesday 7th October

We had until 11.20am (when the kids have their lunch break) to get the kitchen finished. It was a real "ground force" effort and we worked flat out until the very last minute. The roof and floor had been completed, but we needed to get the sides on, finish fastening the roof ties, install a sink and build a step. We took the "divide and conquer" approach with people quickly sorting themselves out into teams to tackle each element. The roof team continued from the previous day, and the team who had been putting the side beams on took on the role of cladding the side. The role of plumbing in the sink was not one that Faan, our local guide wanted to risk giving to anyone - so he took on this role himself!! We had no major problem with that - and the plumbing arrangements are a little different to the way we work in the UK.

I worked with the team who had to back fill trenches, build shuttering for the step, mixing concrete for the step and the top of the French train. It was actually an extremely hot day and by 9am it was reaching temperatures that we had only been used to in the afternoon. Our work was a little exposed and I missed the shade of the kitchen. There was then lots of running around, tidying up, putting the stoves back in place and getting it ready for inspection by the headmaster and a few of the other teachers and elders of the local community.

I'm pleased to say that - we did it! And we only ran over by 2 minutes! I know what you're thinking; that isn't a kitchen - and how come it took 3.5 days to build that?! Trust me - it was hard graft and something that we feel confident will still be standing in 10 years time and feeding children with their main - and sometimes only - meal of the day.

The school were delighted and the headteacher made some wonderful comments at the presentation ceremony, pointing out to the children that we had achieved so much, but only done this through working as a team. He went on to remind the children how team work is vital. He was spot on! We had worked extremely well as a team and without that, I don't think we could have left as strong a legacy as we had. We also handed over all the gifts we had brought with us to the headmaster and teachers so that they could be handed out fairly and equally to the children. We had 3 large bin bags of clothing, books, pencils, sports equipment that I know will be put to extremely good use.

Unfortunately, our trip was all too soon over and we had to leave the school to get our coach, which was some way down the road, to travel back towards Windhoek and our lodge for the night. We had a great trip out on the back of the "bucky" and waved a very sad farewell to the children and teachers we had set out to help and who had welcomed us so warmly to their community.