Teshie School Project – Volunteer Diary - Day 5
A report by ESB & ESBI Volunteers on-site this week at the Ghana School Project
Great Progress on Works
Looking back on Day 5 at the progress that has been made it is rewarding to see what has completed in so few days. Two blocks of classrooms and the Resource Centre have now been completed in relation to painting, ceiling panelling and wiring and the fact that the school has electricity for the first time is unbelievable given what met the group on Monday morning last.
New Lunch Run to Prevent Illness
Most of the group have experienced a stomach bug at various stages of the week but have worked on despite this. Some have had to take a few hours out however to allow themselves time to recover. We discovered the Accra Shopping Centre and with great hope a few of us set off with a shopping list. What a let down! One bottle of Optrex and 3 tubes of lip balm later I had the shelves cleaned out! Everything else on the list they didn’t have. However, the electricians found bread, cheese and ham and we opted for a new lunch run. We’d make our own sandwiches daily and so prevent any exposure to bacteria etc. You have no idea how big a deal this little find has been!
Working to the Beatles!
Our daily lives have settled into staying well, working hard and most of all looking out for each other. We talk about team work a lot but this has to be seen to be believed. A couple of lads have brought out CD players and we work to either the Beatles or the Wolfe Tones. If you don’t like either – tough!
Funerals Celebrated Here in Accra!
The school is located close to a cemetery and we saw a funeral there today. Amazing! A brass band, a very elaborate white coffin and a large number of the congregation dressed in black and white. We have seen a number of coffins for sale on the streets – you can get them in pink, green, blue – any colour you like really!
Painting Team Update
Progress on Painting: Day 5: Cluster 6 completed external and internal and ready for final coat when doors/windows have been fitted. Preparatory work has commenced on Cluster 4 i.e. preparation of walls and bonding. Resource Centre is completed external and internal. Cluster 7 preparatory work and bonding has been completed. First coat applied to all rooms and second coat commenced.
Electrical Team Update
Progress on Electrics: Day 5 : The building is now wired in total and lighting fitted and working. External lighting completed. Also IT room and staff room.
Cluster 6 completed: Work commenced on Cluster 7 and was 80% completed by end of day. 90% of first fix completed on Cluster 4.
by Bernie Healy - Editor EM
