Architect Vašek heads to Kashitu: The next phase of construction begins

The main stage of the beekeeping lab construction is about to begin. Vašek, the lead architect and site manager, will fly to Zambia on July 3rd and spend a month and a half there. A demanding but crucial phase of the build awaits him – the goal is to complete the structure up to the ring beam and prepare for the roof.

He'll be joined by Anežka (director of the NGO Friends of New Renato) and Eda, our medic. Each has clear responsibilities – and with Zambian-style flexibility, many more are sure to arise. Soon, more team members will arrive to reinforce the crew, so stay tuned to follow the progress of this year's build.

What's ahead on-site?

The first few days will be dedicated to assessing the current state and continuing the work initiated by Honza in June. Thanks to his efforts, we already know that brick production is underway and the local team has been given clear tasks to carry out before our arrival.

We'll pick up with the completion of the substructure: digging for drainage, laying waterproofing, installing reinforcement mesh, and pouring the concrete slab. Then comes the bricklaying – this time without time pressure, allowing us to focus on the highest possible quality. We hope to finish this stage by the end of July and move forward.

Next will be the ring beam – tying rebar and preparing the formwork – a job that always requires time and patience. Meanwhile, we'll begin prepping the roof structure, which this year will feature clay panels that act as natural insulation – helping to reduce heat and dampen noise. But for them to work properly, they need to dry thoroughly first.

What's new in Lusaka?

During his return trip, Honza used his stay in Lusaka to complete another key task: choosing a photovoltaic supplier. After meetings with two companies, a final decision was made – the solar power project is now on the right track! That's an important step toward the school's energy independence.

And one more bit of good news – the tailoring workshop in Kashitu is going strong. Honza brought back some beautiful handmade pieces from Zambia, and they'll soon be available on our e-shop. Follow us – your support helps not only the project as a whole, but also individual women from the local community!