Scene 3: Pushing for Progress

Background

With designs changing day after day, the team finally had a meeting with Adi and Chuma to see the new and final designs for the one story crèche. The team was to meet at the CORC office at 3pm to review the design and to finalize the materials and costings. The next day the team planned to go to Flamingo Crescent to talk with Terrance about the playground and update him on the new crèche design.

Cast of Characters

The WPI Flamingo Team – Jacquelyne, Malina, Andres, Justin, Kristin

Community Members – Mark, Elizabeth, Lenrika, Auntie Mary

Advisors – Scott and Steve

ISN– Melanie, Terrance

CORC – Adi, Chuma

Setting

CORC Office

Flamingo Crescent Informal Settlement

Scene

We walked up the white stairs to the CORC office in anticipation of finally receiving a complete design and costing for the crèche. We were greeted warmly and brought to the back office to wait for the CORC representatives and our advisors to arrive. Scott and Steve arrived first and we quickly brought them up to speed on our findings of the day as Adi and Chuma arrived. Once everyone settled and pleasantries were exchanged, we jumped right in.

Due to delays in designs, we knew we were behind schedule and needed to establish how to get the playground up and rolling as the crèche logistics were sorted out. We quickly came to an agreement that two community members would be appointed to work with us on the playground beginning on Monday. With this established, it was time for CORC to show us what they had come up with. Going step by step through the design and costing it became clear major headway had been made but that there were still some details missing. Instead of hashing out these details at this meeting, we decided it would be best to sit down with Terrance the next day and go over the design to fill in the gaps.

CORC’s Crèche Interior and Exterior Designs

With this, Scott and Steve left us to rush off to their next meeting. Immediately we lost control of the meeting. Different forms of foundation and flooring were brought up and attempts were made to calculate the amount of concrete needed. Finally, Adi took control and left it up to us to determine with Scott at a later time.

The next morning, the team arrived at Flamingo Crescent at 9am. No one was available that early so we hung out in Lenrika’s house until Marky met up with us and talked about his week and weekend plans. Terrance and Melanie then arrived. We spoke with Terrance about the new crèche design and walked to the site where we measured the space and discussed there drainage plan. We then talked with Melanie about appointing two community members to assist us with the construction of the playground.

Soon after, Scott and Steve strolled into Flamingo and met us on the crèche build site. We discussed in great detail the drainage plan and then Nolan, the settlement plumber, walked by. Terrence called Nolan over to the site and explained the situation. Nolan agreed that he would have a plan and costing for the drainage by this Monday.

The entire group then headed back to the shade of Lenrika’s house to finalize the conversation. We gave Terrance a final list of materials needed for the playground and discussed possible community members that could start working with us on Monday.

Reflection

After being part of several of these meetings, we have realized that this is the pace at which things run in Cape Town. Working in an informal settlement is very challenging since the idea of informality can easily be translated into meetings and construction designs. It seems like the crèche design will complete itself through the construction process. Being used to concrete plans before any type of construction, this process has been frustrating for us. However, after this meeting with CORC, we were happy to see more specific progress. We have also realized that we have become the communication bridge between CORC and Terrence to make sure that this crèche can be built. It’s become clear that working within our short timeline with multiple partners will continue to pose it’s challenges and obstacles. However, this approach promises benefits to our project through it’s organic and realistic components.