InJanuaryof2020,theHouseofAmencontinuedtoshowsignsofmakingprogress.Thebottompictureshowsgranitetobeusedformakingcolumns.

Inordertocutthecostofreadymadebricks,eachbrickoftheHouseofAmenishandmade.

TheLorydeliverssandfortheconcrete.

Rebarforreinforcingcolumns.

LumberisalsoexpensiveinNigeria.Aremuboughtalargeamountofwoodthattobeusedforbuildingtheformsforpouredconcretethatwouldconnecteachsectionofthewallsaswellascovertheupperpartofthewindowframe.

Trunksandlimbsofnearbytreeswerealsousedassupportbraces.AllthewoodthatAremuboughtisbeingrecycled.Aftertheyfinishasectiontheytakethewoodtomakeformsandbracesforanothersection.

Thiswasanotherexpensivedelivery.

TheLorydeliversmoregranitefortheconcrete.

Thelowerpictureshowshowthewoodwasusedtoholdthepouredconcreteinordertotiethesectionsofwalltogether.

Nocementtrucksareusedhere.Allofthewetconcreteiscarriedbyhand.

Toppicture:Mixingconcrete

Lowerpicture:Buildingtheformsfortheconcrete.

Asyoucanseethewomenhelpwithcarryingthemixedconcretetoo.

Inthelowerpictureyoucanseehowalinewasformedtomovethemixedwetconcretetobepouredintotheforms.

Progress!

InlateMarchof2020,theCoronavirus,Covid-19,reachedTheHouseofAmenandthepeopleofIlorin,Nigeria.Thegovernmentshutdownallschoolsandchurches…allgatheringplaces.Thechildren'sschoolonthegroundsofTheHouseofAmen,wasAremu’sfamilymeansofsupportingthemselves.Notonlydidthegovernmentclosetheirschool,buttheentirecommunitywasputintolockdown.Peoplewerestarvinganddesperate.ChristiansandMuslimsalikewenttoAremuandtheHouseofAmenlookingforfood.Nobodyintheircountryhadplannedforsuchadisaster.HearingthenewsfromAremu,wesenthimanextra500.00tohelphimfeedthepeople.Notonlydidheneedtofeedhisfamily,butheneededtocontinuetofeedallofthepeoplewhocometowork,thosewhohelpinbuildingtheHouseofAmen.

Withthemoneywesenthim,heboughtthestaplesthathispeopleneeded,rice,beansandGaari,Cassavaflour.