Teshie School Project – Volunteer Diary - Day 6

Day 6 - Friday 14 Aug 2009

As the week progressed, so too did the culinary skills of Head Chef Mick O’Connor. Friday’s treats were pineapple and Swiss Roll. Who’d have thought we’d ever miss Swiss Roll so much!

Teshie volunteer provides first aid
Unfortunately there was minor accident on-site on Friday, where a Neficon contractor sustained an injury. However, ESB volunteer Daragh Mulligan, our first aid officer on-site, quickly stepped in to take control of the situation. Well done Daragh!

Electrical Progress – and then there was light (in the classrooms)
A major milestone was reached today with the switch-in of the Kindergarten, only slightly delayed by 29 minutes. Volunteers leaped with joy as local electrician, Micheal brought light to all classrooms with the flick of a switch.

In the Technical School, every effort was made by Mick Harkin, James Harkin and Evin Guing to complete the installation of the main fuse and sub-distribution boards for the scheduled arrival of Electricity Corporation of Ghana Monday morning. The junior electrical team assisting with the Kindergarten project will commence second level studies upon arrival at the Technical School, Monday morning. The junior team are assisting the senior team with the installation of circuits. Electrical progress is on time and to target.

IT Progress – Teshie class of ’09 graduate with honours
A class of Teshie students completed the Intermediate Calc course today and there were whoops of delight as each student received certificates of completion for the Writer and Calc courses. Niall Roche and Allison Morris were overwhelmed with the reaction from students as they received their certificates. Monday will see the start of the Internet course given by Vinnie Heffernan, Charlie Horkan and Allison Morris.

Painting Progress -
Following Thursday's blip on the colour radar where some Technical School classrooms were painted the incorrect shade, a meeting of the minds was held. Catherine Byrne and Susan Byrne diplomatically considered thoughts from both painting teams, only to find they were actually team mates of the side responsible for the blip! In the end it was Luke Shinnors and Joe Boyne who rectified colourgate!

Seven rooms upstairs and three downstairs in the Technical School are prepared and waiting for the final coat. It was full steam ahead in the Kindergarten in preparation for the open day on Tuesday. A very artistic checkered exterior wall was painted by Charlie Horkan and Vinnie Heffernan but didn't pass Martin O'Brien's high standards and had to be repainted. Most rooms inside of the Kindergarten are ready for a final coat on Monday.

Lights-on ends tiring but rewarding first week for volunteers
At the end of Friday the full team gathered in front of the Kindergarten to watch the switch-on of supply. This was the perfect end to the first five days of hard work for all volunteers. It meant that we could all go and enjoy a well earned weekend.

A report by Sharyn McMenamin (ICT) and Michael O'Connor (ESBI).