March 16, 2009 in Istanbul

Protocols & Construction Contract Signed!

1. The Protocols with the Turk Egitim Foundation (TEV) and with the Milli Egitim (State Education Office) in Adapazari have been negotiated and executed by all parties. Asli Basgoz, an equally contributing donor partner in this school project, has helped a great deal with the inclusions in these protocols. On 13 April we had a signing ceremony in Adapazari with the Governor (Huseyin Atak). All parties to the Protocol were present. The following are the main points in the Protocol:
   • Milli Egitim will provide, at no cost, all the concrete and steel for the project
   • Balance of the Building and site costs are paid by the Donor
   • Construction will be Turnkey but exclude furnishings
   • Donor has sole contractor selection right
   • Donor to negotiate and execute the construction contract
   • Donor to have free access to the construction site
   • Donor will approve all materials prior to installation
   • Donor to have final approval on all invoiced payments construction or otherwise
2. After receiving and analyzing bids from two contractors’ active in Adapazari, SEZA Insaat was selected due to their experience, reputation and the responsiveness of their bid. The final agreed Turnkey Contract Price is 650,000 YTL (+/-$410,000) and the contract was executed on 16 April 2009. The value of the concrete and steel provided by The Milli Egitim is approx. $100,000, therefore the Total Construction Costs is now $510,000. This construction turnkey price as viewed by the engineers both at the Milli Egitim Office and TEV is said to be at least 20% under the government pricing standard. SEZA Insaat has agreed to this price by foregoing profit. While the Building Permit is currently being secured, SEZA Insaat will mobilized and start layout and rough excavation 22 April 2009. The contract substantial completion date is 30 September 2009.
3. To date most of the donations have been in Euros and Dollars and these donations are currently still being held in these currencies. The relative rates of exchange today with the Turkish Lira is less than it was since my last update on 2 March, therefore although over $17,000 has been collected since then, the shortfall today is $37,000.

I am hoping this will be the last call for donations. Please be as generous as you can so that all future “Updates” will focus only on construction progress and photos.

• Funding Need for Extras

  Contingency and extras funding goal has been reached. Thanks to all who supported the cause.

  

• Mission Accomplished

  Construction fundraising has reached its goal, thanks to all who supported the cause.

  

• Project Mission

  A devastating earthquake left many children from the villages of Caykisla, Seyh and Saricalar victimized and in many cases orphaned. These bright and eager children need a school where their young minds will develop to more fully realize their innate potential. The intent of this project is to build a new Primary School in the Village of Çaykişla by August 2009, the 10-year anniversary of the earthquake. To be part of this worthy effort is a debt due from our past to future generations.

   

  education is a right not a privilege

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