The foundation slab is in place: Construction of the classroom is moving into the next phase

Work on the construction of the first classroom on the campus is progressing according to plan, and this week one of the most important milestones of the entire build was successfully completed—pouring the concrete foundation slab. Prior to the actual concrete pouring, it was necessary to carefully prepare the construction site, survey individual parts of the building, and set up the formwork to ensure the correct shape of the foundations.

Unfortunately, preparations were briefly delayed by waiting for a gravel delivery needed for the concrete mix. The delivery truck did not arrive until late evening, extending the workday long after sunset. Despite this complication, everything was prepared so that the actual concrete pouring could begin the following day.

First, a separation layer and steel reinforcement were laid to give the concrete structure the necessary strength and prevent cracking. After carefully tying the reinforcement and finishing the formwork, the concrete pouring began. The pour was completed in two stages—first the central part of the foundation slab, followed by its outer edges. Thanks to this, the structure is now ready for the next phase of the classroom construction.

Composting Toilets: From Planning to the First Implementation

Alongside the new classroom, composting toilets will also begin construction in Kashitu this year. Their preparation is being led by Míša, who, along with local guide Mr. Phiri, continued mapping the campus surroundings to find the most suitable locations for their future placement.

During field visits, they focused not only on the physical placement of individual toilets but also on how they would function in the space and integrate with the needs of the local community. In several locations, they also carried out preliminary staking of the future structures to facilitate further design work.

The rest of the week was dedicated to researching the availability of construction materials and equipment in a nearby town. The goal was to determine which components can be sourced locally and which will form the core of the composting system. This information will help not only with the actual setup but also with planning the long-term sustainable operation of the toilets.

Camera System: Data for More Efficient Construction and Better Security

This year's activities also included launching a pilot project focused on collecting data on the construction progress. Max installed a camera system on one of the buildings that will use artificial intelligence to monitor construction activities, helping to calculate standard labor hours for individual tasks more accurately.

The data collected will be used to create more precise schedules for future construction projects and allow for better planning of individual build stages. However, the camera system's utility doesn't end with the construction season. Once construction wraps up, the camera will be redirected toward the photovoltaic solar panels and adjacent transformer to act as a security feature, protecting the campus's vital infrastructure.