Uganda, like the rest of the world, ground to a halt in late March. Although most industries were forced to close their doors, construction and training was allowed to continue, with HYT ensuring our teams were able to live and work safely.
Despite all the uncertainty and fear early in the pandemic, HYT’s team at the Refuge for Aids Victims and Orphans (RAVO), a school in the rural south east of the country, decided they wished to stay on site through the lockdown and finish what they started.
The government banned all private and public transport. For the HYT team working in a rural area this presented some serious challenges. With good humour, creativity and resourcefulness the team found ways to keep working with the help of bicycles, motorbikes and lots of walking.
Although schools remain shut, we are proud that the children will return to a brand new classroom and water tank. This large construction project using HYT’s environmentally friendly Interlocking Stabilised Soil Block (ISSB) technology saved 32 tons of firewood – that’s equivalent to 50 tons of CO2. In addtion, the team planted 10 trees on the school’s rural campus.
Funded by HYT’s long term partner, Peter Bond, the team built an early childhood development centre and 20,000 litre rainwater harvesting tank. Through Peter Bond’s generosity, RAVO has been completely transformed. Nine structures have been added, the school capacity has shot up and the school recently received the right to hold national exams.
