Up! Up! And away…

March 9th at 9pm I will fly out and the mission will begin. As a case study for finishing my diploma at FAUP (Porto Architectural School), I've decided to volunteer and join A4A (Architects for Aid) in one of their humanitarian architecture projects. The projected on which I've been assigned is the construction of the LCCU (Lesotho Children Counseling Unit) centre in Lesotho. The building has been halted and an assessment, survey and new proposal and program will be drawn up in order that the building might finish to be built. Once this is completed a second trip will be organized and I'll be overseeing the building on site. The objective of this blog is to keep record of the work that is being done, both for the benefit of the members of A4A in London, FAUP to whom I'll also be reporting, my own record as well as friends and family that might want to know what I'm up to. Please comment on any post that you have an opinion, as this will undoubtedly help me in the completion of my thesis. Disclaimer: The information displayed on this site has not been previously edited or checked by any A4A staff and I'm the sole responsible for it's contents. A4A or any of the other involved organizations are not to be hold responsible on any account for what is published on this blog.

Monday, 3 December 2007

Hamerkop

Sometimes it is just better to play it safe. Even with the lightning conductor masts approved this morning sometimes you still need that little extra…

I will leave in a couple of hours and will return only in January. All has been organized so that site will be checked frequently and I will know the results but as I have learnt its better safe than sorry and this time the site will be kept safe by my very own Hamerkop bird.

The Hamerkop myth is a very interesting one. It is believed that lightning is caused by a nesting Hamerkop so in order to prevent lightning from striking it was usual to have a Medicine Man help you site your house, then to compliment this you would install a statue of one to fool other Hamerkops that your house is already taken.

I have never been much of a believer in anything but many times locals know better!
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