New roof panels are drying, beekeeping suites are being sewn and the construction continues

On Thursday, July 10, Bára and Sofi arrived. After purchasing SIM cards, exchanging money, and moving to Kashitu, they spent Saturday pouring the foundation slab for the new laboratory. Although they did not manage to complete the entire area, two-thirds of it was successfully finished by the evening!

Sunday was dedicated to tradition and community—sunrise on the rock, local mass, and a trip to the hospital (don't worry, no one was hurt :D), where the boys flew a drone and played soccer. During mass, Sofi was introduced as this year's first sewing workshop leader, and 15 women showed up for the introductory meeting on Monday. The workshop was divided into morning and afternoon shifts, and the following day was spent preparing and purchasing fabrics, threads, and nets for making beekeeping suits.

Work continued on the construction site with the care of the slab (sprinkling, covering), and Zambian bricklayers also joined in the work. The production of clay panels also began, which will be used for the first time this year under the roof sheets and will serve as protection against the heat. The panels are made by hand using wooden molds and a mixture of clay and gravel. During the week, we managed to produce almost 1,000 of the 2,000 pieces needed. In the meantime, we repaired the machines and prepared materials for the next stages of construction—we painted the wood for the trusses, tied the reinforcements, and also ordered materials for almost the entire house. A small group of people then headed to Lusaka to negotiate the delivery of photovoltaics.

On Tuesday, Bára and Anežka went to the local kindergarten, where Anežka, like a true teacher, taught a class. On Wednesday, the women returned to the workshop and began learning a new pattern, and now we even have our first beekeeping suit ready. Bára and Anežka are also conducting financial training for representatives of the local non-profit organization New Renato, conducting a detailed inventory of tools, sharing their experience with Excel and Google Drive, and thus helping to advance the team not only practically but also further their managing skills.

Last week, an important event took place in Kashitu: a large beekeeping meeting organized by Mr. Thomas, the head beekeeper, and Bornfac, the head of the non-profit organization. Around 50 people from 13 communities attended. The interest was enormous, people looked at the first suit, danced, discussed possibilities for cooperation, and there were even suggestions to purchase beekeeping equipment produced by our workshops. We consider this a great success, because we can see that our plan to ensure greater independence and a better future for the entire project is gradually being fulfilled.

Meanwhile, our team of volunteers on site is changing. Edo has had to leave, and new medics Naty and Katy have joined the team, along with Igor, who is in charge of grant support for the project and is planning the beekeeping project together with Mr. Thomas.