Wednesday, 5
The House of Culture Tintinto... haven't changed the name by now. I am still on to make out of it what should be. Anyway, to establish a maximum security unit was not my plan at all. And really I wish people here didn't try to force me doing so. Two days ago somebody obviously in need stole one of our solar panels. Here in the Tintinto area electricity isn't provided, though solar energy is my choice in terms of environmental aspects nonetheless. Nawec - National Water and Electricity company in Gambia - uses petrol to drive their generators, people told me. You know I've invested my money and what I've gotten back is questionable and leaves much to be desired. Of course, I should not complain and be happy with what I have. I try hard. However, to give an example, the water system is not really working well. The soak away leaves an awkward smell in the kitchen to name one of plenty deficiencies. The walls are good and that's the one thing my contractor knows to do well. But, more or less every of the finishing was left to me including costs that I had already covered by giving money to him that was intended for the finishing. To say it bluntly - I paid twice. My question is what did he do with my money? When I asked for receipts, he replied he was not able to deliver them. Or was his calculation he provided for the contract indeed so wrong? I tell you, for the money I gave to him I should have obtained a finished house. Instead what I got was bare brickwork (see picture diary July 2018) and the task of buying material (which I had to pay again), monitoring workers (what actually is the contractor's work) and their work (which I had to pay again) like masonering, tiling, plumbing, electricity and painting. The contractor's duty accomplished by my humble self. I talked about this to people a hundred times, because it made me feel exhausted and I needed support. People listened always and showed compassion. Often I was down and depressed. I sincerely hope that from now on many positive things happen and, free of disappointments, creativity will shed new light on the house.