The Challenges: The project, logistics and finding joy along the way
- Mark Garrison
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
It’s the challenges of it all that I like the most. Opportunities to think of creative solutions. When I started design school this was one of the most interesting things about it, the evolution of the design. As I learned more about the design process and even into my professional career with Gray AES. I would always struggle with the ideas of unnecessary challenges or huddles that seemed to be blocking our way forward. Many times thinking there must be an easier way to do this. As I grew and developed in my roles as a professional, I begin to understand and see how those hurdles or challenges were what the job was all about. We had to learn how to plan for and accept each challenge; working through the process and providing real solutions for our projects. The challenges are the projects, the joy is in the process.
I want to try and give you a glimpse into what a day is like and how we have to navigate our life, the project and working in a complicated and difficult environment.
Before we left many of you asked,
“What is it like to building in Africa?”
“How do you get materials?”
“How do you hire workers?”
“Are their building codes?”
All are good questions, things that need to be figured out. But much of this comes with difficulty and complications. Let me explain.
“What is it like to building in Africa?”
When we visited back in March of this year we outlined a path forward giving direct and specific tasks that need to be completed prior to our arrival. Things like moving power lines, demolition of existing structures that were on the future jobsite. None of this was completed prior to our arrival. Things that will taken us months to resolved. These could have easily been completed in our absence when there was plenty of time. “But, boss we were waiting on you to arrive so we could start.”
“How do you get materials?”
There is a two-fold answer to this one. One, we buy whatever we can in country, driving searching and looking in ever construction supply store corner business and sometimes coming home empty. There are no Lowes or Home Dept. There all small stores many, of which are owned by non-Malawians, the Indians or Chinese. All of which import goods but rarely the same thing twice. Second, the funding organization has limited us to only using USD for the project. The Malawian Kwacha has been devalued so much that they have now closed all Foreign Exchange Accounts requiring all foreign currency to be converted into Kwacha immediately upon transaction and the current bank rate. The bank rate however has not been devalued in over 4-yrs while prices have more than quadrupled. Inflation. We are working deals to import as much materials as possible but this just adds time and cost for the additional logistics required. Paying for as much good outside and importing them. This takes most of my time each week; making orders and making Bill of Quantities or sequencing plans for storage and staging.
“How do you hire workers?”
Lots of people want a job but not many are willing to work. I have been talking around, seeing who all maybe interested in joining the team. This process that requires a lot of vetting, and lots of back-and-forth trying to find the skilled and general labor who can do the work. The good news is that Bupe and Gift (my friends from Zambia who helped us with pervious projects) will be joining the project. They will both be a great addition and huge asset to the team.
“Are their building codes?”
Short answer, no. But there are still processes that need to be followed. The previous project we worked on is Salima (Pothawira) was part of a private organization run by Dr Anne Alaniz. The project has little to no regulations. It is now completed and ready for use. They even had a team from the US come 2 weeks ago to open the building and start its full-time use. However, a representative of Malawian medical council did not allow it to open as they did not agree with the location of the scrub sinks. While we respect the local medical council and their ideals for surgical care here in Malawi, we also struggle with the idea that you can prohibit opening a million-dollar surgical facility which will add 4 new full functional OR rooms (there is currently only 1 in use in the district) because 1 guy didn’t like where the sinks were located. I have removed myself from the equation and let Pothawira handle the issue directly. Best I stay out of it. The medical council has recently sent us a document that shows what is required for any new OR or ICU facility. It is exactly what you are thinking, vague and undetailed, while none of the facilities currently open meet these requirements.
Each day has it own challenges, struggles but also holds successes. It is up to us to find them and etch our path towards the project’s completion. This will be hard, this will take time, this will be difficult, probably more than we realize. Once you get involved, it’s now your problem. You are then expected to provide the solution, source of funds and resolve whatever inconveniences it may cause others. All of this while not fully understanding the system or the processes.
As noted before, we enjoy this. I love the grind and the challenges that each day presents. Opportunities to work with new people; resolve complex issues and provide creative solutions in architecture, design and construction.
For our family, life is getting better and better as we continue to learn to adapt. Still with its own set of issues to deal with each day, we have grown closer to each other and the Emma and Wesley are very much enjoying being here. Each day they explore more make new friends and accept the challenges of life in Malawi. Our favorite activities are hiking and playing with our friends. The kids have to take baths each day as they get so dirty form the days adventures and try to steer away from any catastrophes.
We apricate your prayer and support, letters and texts from home really brighten up our day.
Please pray for:
- Us to maintain a good relationship with the hospital administration as we are asking for them to do a lot to help get approval for duty free status in a timely state
- the rains begin to get closer and the relief it will provide (we had a couple of drizzly days that provided a much welcome relief from the dust and heat
- our transition to the next house in Dec/Jan We will be leaving a fully stocked house and moving to a recently vacated house
- Greeley and Clara as they finish the last weeks of their first term at RVA. They will be arriving Nov 28 to Malawi for Christmas break
- upcoming meeting with donors (MBF)
- Marcela and kids as they settle into more of a routine with home schooling
Praise that:
- Escom (the electrical power company) has come and evaluated the SOW and provided their
- we have had small success in logistical hurdles
- for additional time with the younger kids; the project is not taking as much time
- our vehicle has officially been shipped and is on a boat in the Indian Ocean! Arrival is estimated 14-Dec if not attached by pirates (I say that only half joking) We have made big steps in our adapting to the local culture, adjustments with house staff and beginning to fell more comfortable (still a long way to go)
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