Latest news on the FOCHTA Youth Centre which will start construction in 2012
FOCHTA Youth Centre
Progress Report 2 August 2011
It is great to be working on the design of the FOCHTA Youth Centre again after a rather long hiatus.
As you may be aware design work on this project commenced in late 2005. At that time the Thyolo District Assembly – the local government body in the area - had agreed to donate a suitable plot of land to FOCHTA to build a Youth Centre and Community Library. It turned out ownership of this plot – adjacent to the local Magistrates Court – was disputed, so FOCHTA sought out and purchased a nearby plot of land from a local farmer. Due to rapid population growth, land is scarce in Malawi. Much land in the Thyolo District is owned by large tea plantation owners. Remaining rural land is often owned by local people through a system of traditional title. If a Non Government Organisation such as FOCHTA wishes to purchase a plot of land to build upon, they must apply to the local village chief and to the Minister of Lands to obtain Leasehold title over that land. As we have discovered, this process can take some time.
FOCHTA received Leasehold title over the purchased land in late January of this year. They then arranged for a detailed survey of the site, and began the process of planning vocational courses that may help local youth obtain employment. They determined that plumbing and electrical training, motor mechanics; business management and computers skills will be popular and useful.
With the help of Wai-Yee Ho of SCA, Ken Warr of Kahn Finch Architects, Richard Briggs of SJB Architects, Ruth Kestermann & Mike Dodd of ARUP Consulting Engineers, Jamie Shelton of Northrop Engineers, and Sacha Coles of Aspect Studios we have now partly redesigned the building to suit the amended design brief and new site, and are preparing the required drawings for building approval by the District Assembly.
We will then begin detailed design and construction drawings. With the help of Alec Andreassen, a Norwegian architect who has worked with MSF is Thyolo we will also commence the building contractor selection process.
Any architects or project managers who may be looking for overseas experience may apply to volunteer to project manage the construction in Malawi in 2012.
Please contact Sam .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)