africa is hotter than norway
Posted by christolles | Filed under Liberia
On the day we left Norway, the temperature was about 20ºF. When we arrived in Liberia around 11PM, it was 92ºF. The temperature has not changed since. Remember back in Science class when the teacher explained that the sun is most powerful at the equator because that’s where you are most physically close to the sun? It’s true!
Despite the sun’s best efforts to vaporize us, Tory and I have been having an exciting time in Liberia. This country suffered horribly during the 1990-2005 civil war, and the wanton destruction of property during that period has offered a unique challenge to those involved in rebuilding. I’m in Liberia to learn how humanitarian shelter work has adapted to this particular climate and culture. So far, I’ve been spending time with staff from the Norwegian Refugee Council, whom I was collaborating with in Norway until recently. I’ve also had the opportunity to meet other organizations working in Liberia, such as Everyday Ghandis, Architecture for Humanity, and Stop Firestone.
One must drive carefully! Below is the interior of a semi-permanent school built by NRC. The foundation and roof and designed to be upgradable if the need arises in the future. Just add permanent walls (plastered mud-brick), a ceiling, and you’re good to go.
Below is Sumo (real name), one of NRC’s construction managers. He’s standing in front of the pump all NGO is Liberia currently use. The standard British pump NRC used to use cost US$3000. The German pump, $1300. The new Indian standard? $350, people, and spare parts available on the open market. Wow. NRC now provides training to beneficiary communities so they can fix their own pumps when something goes wrong.
You may also notice I’ve updated Where Are We Now?, the site banner, and turned off those ridiculous snowflakes. It doesn’t snow in Liberia!
As a send off, please be entertained by the map below. As I’ve inserted it into this post, you can see satellite imagery of Monrovia is all it’s dusty quasi-urban glory. As Tory and I have traveled around, Google Maps has been absolutely indispensable for directions, public transportation, and finding new friends’ addresses. No longer. Click “Map” in the upper right of the map below to see what I mean…
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