Preparing the ground and materials

When the rains stopped, the pace of our work increased.

We have mined sand from the river, finished off the mudbricks, agreed the site for a well to produce the water needed for the guesthouse, and an expert has come from Bo, our nearest big town, to dig the well.

Since the roads are in a better state, we have brought cement and other building supplies to the village and stored them safely under cover.

So now we’re ready to start the building work. It will be a huge day for us, with VIP guests including the Tiwai Rainforest management and local chiefs.

We’ve set the date for 14 February 2026.

Our guesthouse will be completely different from anything that has gone before. It is a co-operative enterprise to benefit the village: built by us and run by us. It is a collaborate enterprise, working with members of other forest communities who have also shared in the support we have received, and will benefit from the managed increase in visitors to the forest  It is also a sustainable enterprise, that is sensitive to the environment, protecting the environment and sharing the culture of the communities who live here.

Preparing the mudbricks for the guesthouse