お陰様で、8月に追加費OKの裁可を得て、9月に工事が再開、その時Ktg県の事務方やエンジニアの話では、「3か月で、つまり,年内竣工」とのことでしたが、予想通り、到底無理という状況です。
『時間がかかっても、良いものを』という大使館の考えに沿い、我慢を重ねてきました。しかし、『時間ばかりかお金もタップリ湯水のごとくかけ、欠陥だらけ‼?!』なのでは?!、という現状をお知らせしておくのも日々現場を見ている私共の役目の一つかと思い、メールさせていただくことにいたしました。
残念ながら、「管理、監督体制を、と繰り返し頼み、忠告してきたのに…」と、「これまでの管理、監督体制不備のツケが一気にまわってきた感が否めないとしかいえません。次々と問題が、発覚、露呈しています。…がその詳細については後日ということにし、今日は、支援者の皆様への年一度のご挨拶状書き中の子どもたちの悪戦苦闘ぶりを写真でご覧ください。
特に低・中学年以下の子どもには、スタッフ全員がマンツーマンで手取り足取り指導していますが、文字一つ、単語一つを書き写すだけでも容易ではありません。何度も何度も書き直し書き直し、それでも完全とは言い難い出来栄えですが、ご判読下さい。年末年始前後にお手元に届くかと思います。届きましたら、はがき一枚でも、日本語ででも、またお子さん、お孫さんなど、どなたに書いていただいても構いませんので、なにとぞ子ども宛にお返事いただけますよう、心からお願いいたします。
We would like to give you an update on the new library. In August we received approval for
additional funds, and construction resumed in September. At that time Kitgum district officials and the engineer said that the building would be finished within the year, but, as we predicted,
that is completely impossible.
We have persevered in line with the Japanese embassy’s belief that it is better to take plenty of time in order to do a good job. We have not only spent a lot of
time but have also poured a lot of money into the project. Nevertheless, the building has numerous defects, and, as we watch the construction work, we feel it is our duty to inform you of this
situation.
We have repeatedly called for a proper managerial and supervisory structure, and we
can’t help but feel that the lack of such a structure thus far has caught up with us all at once. Problems have been discovered one after another. We’ll
provide details on them another time.
For now we would like you to take a look at these photos of the children as they struggle to
write their annual letters to you. The all staff members provide individual assistance to the children, especially those in the lower and middle grades of primary school. But just copying each
letter and word is not easy for them. They must do it over and over again. Even then it may not be perfect, but please read their letters to you, which should arrive during the holiday season.
After you receive your letter, please send a reply to your child. A postcard even only in Japanese is fine. If you don’t want to write it yourself, feel free to ask one of your
children or grandchildren or someone else to write it for you. Your cooperation would be greatly appreciated.