Friday 11th November 2005
All good things must come to an end - even Township Challenges. Today was an optional day off for Week 2 volunteers, but you never would have known it with so many on site today. Around 90% turned up as normal, despite the attractions of a lie-in or a shopping spree in Cape Town before the end of the Challenge. In the end, it was decided that a half-day was in order for all the volunteers who did the decent thing and turned up for work today.
Productivity was still high on the final day, as teams raced to finish as many of their houses as they could before downing tools time. And the tally? A whooping 106 houses were built over the two weeks of the 2005 Township Challenge. This is an achievement indeed as the storms of last week meant that many people were unsure if the target of 100 brick homes could be met. Oh ye of little faith! The target was met and surpassed and all involved deserve a big pat on the back.
The computer room at the school was also officially opened today. In a moving event, the room, which has been named the Irish Friendship Library, is now open for the learners of the Oranjekloof School. Many of the builders who were involved in fund-raising for the school or organising the building of the new room were moved to tears at the event, which also saw all the school's pupils come out to say thanks in person to the Irish builders.
Love too was in the air at Imizamo Yethu. Earlier this week, the son of volunteer Junior Moore, Stephen and his partner Angela Homer decided to give up a day of their holiday to come build with the Irish volunteers. It may have been the camaraderie on site, but they decided to make it official in South Africa. But Cupid was at work among our volunteers proper too. Catherine Williams, a veteran volunteer and Gareth Lloyd who is back on his second build, became an item on last year's Township Challenge. This year, almost a year to the day from when they met, they got engaged. True love obviously blossoms under the African sun. Catherine was sporting an impressive sparkler by the end of the build. The happy couple have the best wishes of all the volunteers, who are probably hoping for a day out as well!
To mark the end of the Township Challenge 2005, Niall Mellon hosted a gala evening at the Cape Town Convention Centre. With nearly 700 guests, it was a night to remember. Volunteers were entertained by the African Children's Choir as well as other SA talent. Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu was guest of honour and she thanked the builders for their generosity with their cash, expertise and valuable time. She was greatly moved by the contribution Ireland has made to her own country's battle to wipe out shacks.
