We’re excited to share the latest developments on our dormitory construction project—a journey made possible by the generosity of our donors and the dedication of our team on the ground.
Laying the Foundations for Change
This summer, our team began the groundwork for the new dormitory. While initial site preparation required extra levelling due to a misunderstanding with the architect, the issue was quickly resolved, allowing us to move forward. Despite delays in cement delivery caused by fuel shortages, we adapted by sourcing an alternative transporter and restocking supplies, ensuring the project stayed on track.
Milestones Achieved
- Foundations Complete: The foundations for the Ablutions block and dormitory wings are finished. Stephen checked all levels checked and found them to be within excellent tolerances.
- Concrete Work: The concrete floor slab for the Ablutions block was poured ahead of schedule. Backfill operations for the first Dormitory wing are progressing well.
- Supervision & Cost Control: Goodson continues to provide excellent supervision and cost control, ensuring every stage of the build meets our standards and budget.
Looking Ahead
- Brickwork: Construction on the Ablutions block and West Dormitory is set to begin on schedule, with key milestones targeted for January.
- Conference Readiness: Our focus is on completing the Ablutions block and West Dormitory in time for the May 2026 conference, with further work on the East Dormitory and Common Hall planned post-event.
Overcoming Challenges
Early rains have helped with compaction and will help concrete curing, but we remain vigilant as weather could impact the schedule. Water for construction will soon be supplied by a temporary pumping solution, replacing manual carrying. We’ve also invested in a new diesel-operated concrete mixer, allowing two teams to work simultaneously and providing resilience against fuel shortages. (One mixer is petrol-operated, the other diesel.)
Although we incurred unplanned expenditure with the site leveling, we have managed to mitigate some costs by negotiating good exchange rates for funds brought into the country.
Partnerships & Quality Improvements
A “chance” meeting with a Blantyre businessman has opened doors to reliable suppliers for steel and roofing materials in South Africa, promising improved quality at lower cost.
Timeline & Completion
With a detailed building schedule in place, we are confident that—barring unforeseen delays—completion by the end of March is realistic, allowing a month for internal finishing before the conference.
Thank you for your continued prayerful and practical support. This brings us closer to providing safe, high-quality accommodation for our conference activities. We look forward to sharing more updates as we progress!