This week the excitement mounted as our building crew finally broke ground at the start of SOS Africa’s Gordon’s Bay Education Centre build. Over 2 years in the planning, it was a moment that the charity’s staff and children had greatly anticipated, and the SOS kids could not wait to get stuck in!
It was also great to meet the team who will turn these plans into a reality over the coming months; from the moment we first met them, Grant and his crew embraced the charity’s vision for the Centre. Furthermore, many of the Dunkley Construction staff are from Sir Lowry’s Pass Village, a disadvantaged community supported by SOS Africa’s Education and Care Worker Training Programmes.
The first phase of the build aimed to transform the pre-existing shed into a fully operational workshop where the SOS Africa children can learn woodwork and DIY as part of the charity’s holistic Education Programmes. This involved digging foundations and constructing outer walls under the carport.
For the older children attending Mondeor School of Skills, it was also a great opportunity to pick up some invaluable experience working on a building site. Although a little nervous at first, they quickly took to the task at hand, picking up tips and techniques from the experts along the way.
Grant’s team made quick progress throughout the week and it wasn’t long before the exterior walls had been completed ready for the fitting of the doors and windows. When finished, sections of the interior walls will be removed creating a large well-lit workshop teaching space with ample storage for tools and equipment.
Further workshop updates will be posted over the coming weeks. In the meantime, the team will shortly turn their focus towards essential renovations to the Primary School Classroom on the ground floor of the main building…
