Checking out survey markers for plots of land and seeing photocopies of documents are some of the steps in looking for a property to build for IMS. Does it have access to running water? Electricity? Roads passable in rainy season? Floods after heavy rains (especially after 1 Sept last year)? How close to public transport for students? How far from town/photocopiers/hospitals/schools for children/teachers' houses? What size buildings and how many could fit? Is there any features like already-built walls, small buildings etc that add to the value? Have SIM people recently looking for land seen this plot in the past and what happened then?
After that comes negotiation of price, once it gets serious there will be lawyers checking that there’s no pitfalls like co-owners refusing to sell, forged documents, government requirements that need to be met since was given/sold to the owners for a specific purpose, land’s already been sold, etc.
Joel, our Director, has been through this so many times in the last few months … and we need to get moving if we want to have a place for students arriving next August. Even if it’s by faith: so far we have a project approved and about to open, but no funds. We need to raise about $A 80,000 for land, and at least another $220,000 for building costs, so appreciate your prayers. As it is, I’m having fun looking at options for designing climate-adapted buildings using as much local materials as possible, and look forward to the help of an Irish architectural team.
