Kai's Report
My visit to Manipur this year was a bit of struggle with the weather: because of the fog in Delhi, the flight from Heathrow was delayed initially for 7 hrs, this was extended for another 5 hrs so that de-icing work could be carried out in the cockpit of the aircraft. Inevitably, I missed my flight connection to Imphal and got stranded in Delhi for three days. So I didn’t get to Haipi in time for the village church’s Annual Assembly, where I had hoped to highlight the need of Emmanuel School when the church budget was allocated to various causes in order of priority. Regrettably, it has meant that there is a reduction in the church’s annual contribution to the school by Rs.50000!
One of my concerns was the speedy completion of the Science and Library building complex. Up until now the building work has been under the supervision of the Engineer, who entrusted the work to two skilled labourers as sub-contractors, and who in their turn employed other labourers. The Engineer could visit the site at best once a month. So the work had been left to the sub-contractors who did the work more or less as they pleased and not in order of priority. Their labour costs were calculated by measurements on the basis of square feet. Having consulted the Engineer, I have discontinued the above workforce, invited another workforce with a proven record and formed a new building committee which includes the Site Superintendent. From now on the committee will buy materials themselves, have direct control over the work and pay the labourers on a daily basis. This will hopefully speed up the work.
As regards the pick-up truck, even though the fund was not quite enough due to the falling value of the British Pound, I was determined to buy one, making good the shortfall from the building funds, but once again it was not to be! At the time there were two at the TATA Agency in Imphal. In our first visit the price was quoted @Rs.462000, two weeks later it was raised to Rs.476000 and when we went to buy the vehicle it had risen to Rs.484000! So we decided to buy one from the main dealers in Guwahati, but they were out of stock! We hope to buy one in September!
I am pleased to report that the school is in good hands. The new Principal, Mr Zamngam Haokip, is a great asset to the school in many ways. Among other qualities, he is an IT expert, possesses an analytical mind and always looks ahead. He is good at managing human resources, and because of this, there is a cordial relationship and healthy cooperation amongst the teachers. Moreover, he maintains a good relationship
Kai Kipgen