Workshop Work

One of the many initiatives we hope to get off the ground this year is to set-up the workshop here at the school. We have a decent sized shed and quite a lot of tools that were kindly given to us by some sponsors in Sweden (good folks the Swedes).

When I was here in November we undertook a complete inventory of the tools. I remember it was all I could do to stop us having to count the screw and nails. Anyway, now we need to get it up and running. This presents several challenges to us, not least the fact that the electricity is erratic at best here. But faint heart never won fair workshop, so we are cracking on.

Yesterday evening we delivered a list of requirements to the local branch of B&Q in Murang’a, which they will put together and deliver to us over the coming days. This morning 3 carpenters arrived at the school to begin kitting out the workshop with kit (technical term). All day they have been hammering and circular sawing (except when the electricity cut out at 11am whereupon they had to revert to bow saws). It makes me think of that “when I nod my head, hit it” joke. Paddy and Murphy are laying this wooden floor…sorry, I digress. The carpenters are putting up shelves and dividing walls in the workshop so we can separate the woodwork area from the metal work/welding area. The end game is that we can teach the children some valuable technical skills, and we can run some vocational courses for the wider members of community. The reality is that most children do not go on to high school but leave at 16 and immediately look for work. Anything we can do to increase their employability is a bonus. They deserve a better chance.

The workshop must of course eventually pay for itself with the school and community using it to make items such as chairs, bed frames and window guards which can be sold in exchange for that stuff we call money.

Before I sign off, good news! I have been invited to a pre-wedding ceremony in advance of the big day itself : “Brother John Wahome & Sister Jane Ngaruma & the Organising Committee cordially invite Mr. Matthew to our Pre-Wedding Ceremony in preparation of our wedding. This will be held on 21st Feb. 2010 at A.C.K. St. James Cathedral Murang’a at 2.00pm”.

Imagine that, 3 days here and my first pre-wedding. Oooh what to wear?! Oooh oooh, what to sing if they have karaoke?!
Off to show the kids how to play football. What is it they say about mad dogs and Englishmen?