THE FIRST KINGDOM HALL

Philip Alderson, along with missionaries Roy Makin and Wayne Almost, took the initiative in building a new Kingdom Hall in Ouagadougou. Philip tells about the project:

“At first we held our meetings in the living room of the missionary home, but this quickly became too small as the attendance rapidly grew. So we considered making a ‘hangar’ or ‘lean-to’ outside in the compound of the missionary home. Eventually, though, we settled on constructing a separate building, but still within the compound of the home.

“The local brothers were very enthusiastic. They assured us that they had a lot of experience at building the local-style houses, and were confident that we would be able to build a suitable Kingdom Hall. It was decided to construct a large rectangular building, with three open walls and a thatched roof supported by beams and poles.

“We started in November 1975. But what we had not realized, and what the local brothers failed to mention, was that all the buildings they had put up were small round huts. Now, faced with a rectangular construction, quite a few problems were encountered. However, by working together, these were solved. In fact, the whole project had a fine unifying effect on the congregation.”

On weekends, in particular, the whole compound was the scene of great activity. Brothers were squatting on the ground weaving the straw for the matting and thatching of the roof. The sisters prepared the meals. What a thrill to see such a group of people not only from many racial backgrounds, but more especially from differing tribal backgrounds all there together accomplishing a work that resulted in a Kingdom Hall to the praise of Jehovah’s name!

Where did the money come from for purchasing the bricks, cement and other essentials for this project? Much of it came from donations of the local brothers. However, when the missionaries went home on leave they were able to show slides of the project to their home congregations, and many brothers volunteered to contribute to help with the expenses.

For example, when Margarita Königer returned on a visit to Germany she spoke about the Kingdom Hall construction. By this time the hall was well under way, and it was seen that a metal roof would be more practical and durable. On hearing this, one brother in Germany wrote out a check to cover the full amount to buy the metal sheeting.

An 80-year-old sister in California, although confined to a rest home, sent $5. Sound equipment was built specially by a German brother and donated to the congregation. Indeed, the project was finished with the help of the worldwide family of Jehovah’s people.

With hearts overflowing with gratitude to Jehovah and their brothers worldwide, 94 persons met in the newly completed Kingdom Hall on Saturday, May 1, 1976, to dedicate the building to Jehovah. Sam Gilman from the branch office in Abidjan gave the dedication talk and Wayne Almost showed slides of the expansion of the Kingdom work throughout Upper Volta.

[Picture on page 202]

Building the first Kingdom Hall in Ouagadougou