On 7th December, 2024 I executed my long term plan of building a bungalow in my village.

For some times now, I've been setting aside some money by way of savings in one of my bank accounts just to acquire a living house in my village. I had already concluded within me to kick start the project this year 2024.

|![IMG_20241207_130331.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmaMQebrYsAVf36npbZKAYmnMyiVW9gPywGvBdryjZsdx6/IMG_20241207_130331.jpg)_{Picture taken at the project site}| |---|

To make this project easier and faster for me, I've already paid for the building materials like roofing sheets, woods, nails and also moulded the required blocks according to engineer's quotation.

## PASTOR'S BLESSINGS

As a Christian and a believer of Christ, it is pertinent to commit the whole project to God and ask Him for his protection and guidance during and after the building project. So, I invited my pastor, Pastor Richard Ukpong to pray and perform the laying of foundation before the commencement of the work.

![IMG_20241216_095318.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmXNnCMN3Dyq656ViUWT62wQWpfQFACKSfv3qhimR3p1mx/IMG_20241216_095318.jpg) Pastor praying|![IMG_20241216_095352.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmcdTnAQj2ZP23synsuXsL3SEJVLcTNE5fQkPG3je1Rgj7/IMG_20241216_095352.jpg) Pastor performing laying of foundation ---|---

## TRADITIONAL RITES

It is a tradition in my community and environ for anyone who wants to build a block house to perform the traditional rites by way of celebrating with the Kings and members of the family and village at large. The traditional rites includes presentation of life goat, drinks, cola nuts and cooking different kinds of food and eat with the villagers.

After eating and drinking, the villagers will gather at the project site and pray unanimously for the successful completion of the building project after which the King (Village Head) will perform the incantation.

![IMG_20241207_131022.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmTjcRCponB23x9fEbuqLahKvx82dLmw4XroCWPN7cSWDC/IMG_20241207_131022.jpg)|![IMG_20241207_153633.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmVgBv71uPLidyLgWZm2UFMcJyD3EW2z41nJxyTCm49sWk/IMG_20241207_153633.jpg) ----|---- ![IMG_20241207_154300.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmaa5ASAGVSJGAS2Doo5QDojMNGKQ3zGnN9dTf7E1VpRS9/IMG_20241207_154300.jpg)|![IMG_20241207_154311.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmVBkQoYd4jN8oLo1YaqYodYRkbNocNo5aQ1upRo7vuAkw/IMG_20241207_154311.jpg) ----|----

The engineer promised me a quality job delivery and I go by his words judging from what my friend who introduced him to me testified about him and also with the content of his company profile which I checked and confirmed his past jobs.

I monitored his work ethics and how he directed his workers starting from the site preparation, excavation of the foundation trenches to the required depth, and how he measured to ensure the excavation is leveled, plumbed and aligned with the building footprint..

He also ensured the concrete was properly mixed and poured into the foundation walls and slab to be sure the concrete was compacted and finished to the required standard.

![IMG_20241207_130336.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQma7XDs3ecuPU3FDfgM1JSSnk8AzXh32aoXWXx9rQsbeRo/IMG_20241207_130336.jpg)|![IMG_20241207_130315.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmdubLymtnFkMow37vb1rTtU75maffKCchRbvD229GFVvA/IMG_20241207_130315.jpg) ----|---- ![IMG_20241207_130302.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmSJypkRKMTBgwr1nH3yZNKXPaH6teQsjrTXw5ChbqQ99N/IMG_20241207_130302.jpg)|![IMG_20241207_130309.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmSwZKz4d17YBqVyBcZ3hGBAbrckenKMZAKHtmxkWEDMDT/IMG_20241207_130309.jpg) ----|----

## THE MERRIMENT - CELEBRATION

The wine and dine moment with my old time friends and my village people was really worth it. You had to see how people rejoiced with me for bringing my building project to the village.

![IMG_20241208_092058.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmWYPXinZ7fBxVnoYSH2wP81aVtrchVKrVMAnAkNKN6UgS/IMG_20241208_092058.jpg)|![IMG_20241208_092043.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmeu9fa51E9dFdDTNNYeTwC36xfqGyuEedGbcFkTX3Krh2/IMG_20241208_092043.jpg) ----|----

The goat was slaughtered and was used to cook pounded yam and afang soup respectively. The meals was second to non, carefully cooked and served to everybody that were present. I managed to snap some pictures before I rested as I was so tired. It was a welcome development. ![IMG_20241208_092127.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmYnxv7FUyjMgTZbytAyS1nYgxepw8eUnxJau47xN185CX/IMG_20241208_092127.jpg)|![IMG_20241208_092115.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmXcw9dv4aiE2m5mqDKAEiuynGfbPmPC8jN32Ds76LWPQ6/IMG_20241208_092115.jpg) ----|----