Teshie School Project – Volunteer Diary - Day 7
Day 7, 8, 9 - Monday 17 Aug. 2009
The team took a well deserved break this weekend to travel to Elmina, an historic coastal town four hours drive from Accra where we visited Elmina castle, infamous for its role in the slave trade. On Sunday volunteers visited a rain forest, walking across seven rope bridges above the tree tops. After a final visit to a crocodile farm where only the brave touched the crocs, the team returned to Accra with all limbs in tact!
Chief Executive and TV3 arrive
On Sunday evening, ESB and ESBI volunteers welcomed Padraig McManus, ESB Chief Executive, Maol Muire Tynan (ESB Corporate Affairs), Paddy Stapleton (Group HR) and TV3 cameraman, Ronan McIntyre. It was back to site early Monday morning to push ahead with preparations for the open day on Tuesday.
Electrical Progress – connections to Technical School & Kindergarten complete
Right on schedule, Electricity Corporation of Ghana arrived first thing Monday to complete the connection to both the Technical School and Kindergarten. Power was switched-out for three hours in the hospital, as a result, however thanks to the battery powered drills volunteers continued installation of equipment. All going well, the Technical School will be completed on schedule by Friday. A small volunteer team were dispatched to the Kindergarten to finalise works for the grand opening tomorrow. This team will also be responsible for works in the new Children's Canteen and Toilet Block.
Painting Progress – Kindergarten ready, now onto the Canteen
Martin O'Brien redistributed painters from the Technical Workshops today in order to finish the Kindergarten in time for tomorrows opening. In the kindergarten there was huge effort from the painting team to apply final coats to interior and exterior walls while local contractors painted the woodwork (windows and doors). Finishing touches will be applied early tomorrow morning in time for the children to see their new facilities.
Exterior painting began today on the Canteen, which consists of three blocks for traders, kitchen operations and canteen services. By the end of the day a second coat was applied to two blocks. Touch-up work in the Resource Centre was undertaken today to repair scuffing.
IT Progress – 40 teachers begin web development course
Multi-tasking team Charlie Horkan and Vinnie Heffernan switched from painting to teaching a web development course in the Resource Centre. Over 40 teachers are attending the four day course, which will ensure all attendees will have the skills necessary to develop and maintain the school website. The day ended with course attendees more confident in their newly found skills and looking forward to tomorrow.
Breach of the law delays lunch
Lunch was almost cancelled today as catering staff, Michael O’Connor; Margaret Hayden and Nyree Moynan were detained by police when their driver broke a red light. After a 20 minute delay and trip to the local police station, the silver tongued Mick O’Connor ensured hungry volunteers were fed (eventually)!
Volunteers say sincere thank you to families and supporters
All volunteers are eagerly awaiting the opening event tomorrow at 2pm, where we’ll be proudly sporting our Electric Aid t-shirts. Each of us would like to sincerely thank all supporters of our fund-raising ventures. We’d also like to thank our families who have encouraged us to undertake this life changing experience. We miss you all but know that you are behind us in every step we take.
A report by Sharyn McMenamin (ICT Group) and Michael O'Connor (ESBI).
