NEWS EDITION
Preparation of the construction of the school by Constructing a road
By Linus Tigiti, SJ

With the swift passage of time, what was once eagerly anticipated has now transitioned into the preparatory phase. Following in-depth discussions with the government of Bonga and Kaffa Zone, Mr. Endashaw, the Chief Administrator of Kaffa Zone, has pledged to kickstart road construction before embarking on the school project. Surprisingly, this week, the Jesuits were taken aback to discover that the government of Bonga had already initiated road construction independently, drawing on resources and support from the Kaffa Zone government. The road construction process is expected to be lengthy, with uncertainties looming over its completion timeline. If it extends to a month, there is a potential risk of impeding the school construction progress, leading to delays. The government of Bonga has demonstrated unwavering support for this initiative, envisioning the school as a beacon of academic excellence and discipline. Furthermore, the consultant, Fasil Giorghis Consult, has wrapped up all drawings and is now in the final stages of preparing essential documents for the school.

Construction of the road.

The site works around the Jesuit Community Compound

Currently, at the Jesuit Community compound, the site development work is in progress, transforming the surroundings into a serene sanctuary. The rich loamy soil has been diligently compacted to ensure the stability of the house’s foundation, while concrete paths, extending 1.2m from the walls, are being crafted to enhance the walkways. These pathways will be equipped with ditches to facilitate efficient water drainage. Furthermore, the need for creating ditches around the compound arose from the unique characteristics of the landscape.

Materials for backfilling being delivered to the Jesuit community compound.
Half concrete ditch for creating drainage around the house. The drainage system will align with the natural water flow from the hill, as the Jesuit community is situated downstream. (The concrete ditches above are not designed for heavy road use)

Fence works

In another area of enhancement, the construction of a fence near the property’s border, which is close to the Orthodox Church, is in progress. This fence will enclose a smaller portion of the Jesuit Community compound while securing a larger section of the border to prevent encroachment. Utilizing gabion wire and metallic angle bars for reinforcement, this project aims to protect the land from external claims.

Gabion wire for fencing around the Jesuit community.