This morning Peter and I caught a trike for the 9 km trip to TMMR. We wanted to finish off all of the structural bits before the team turned up to finish all the little bits. We introduced the Nuns and the children to the Australian tradies alarm clock, 6.30 Peter starts cutting door trimming on the drop saw and I was cutting strips with the circular saw. At that time of the morning there was a peaceful calm over the site. The delicate sunrays shone through what in Australia would be a fog but here was smoke, none the less it looked great.
Craig.
At 8.30, shift two arrived. We were under the rule of Commandant McLean. We had one job description. To finish off the job! We began by cleaning all the walls, windows, ceilings, skirting boards, architraves, in fact every surface. My standard of clean was not the same as theirs, but they soon learned. After this we started “No more gapping” this continued for hours until we heard the dulcet tones of Mr McLean preparing paint and brushes. Time for painting the internal woodwork. Most of us decided to forego our afternoon siesta to get the job done. By 3pm we were exhausted, but the beds were to be made. After a few minutes discussion on the plans they were made and set up in the rooms. The Infirmary looks great. Sr Rose, Tita (The Social Worker) and some of the children came in for an impromptu inspection. They were so excited and many decided that they felt sick and were so lucky to have a great place to get better.
Tomorrow is a day of rest! We finish the day with a formal blessing, followed by a celebration, farewell dinner. What an experience!
We have discovered that on Fridays the Internet goes down (and some mobile coverage.)
MargieCraig.
At 8.30, shift two arrived. We were under the rule of Commandant McLean. We had one job description. To finish off the job! We began by cleaning all the walls, windows, ceilings, skirting boards, architraves, in fact every surface. My standard of clean was not the same as theirs, but they soon learned. After this we started “No more gapping” this continued for hours until we heard the dulcet tones of Mr McLean preparing paint and brushes. Time for painting the internal woodwork. Most of us decided to forego our afternoon siesta to get the job done. By 3pm we were exhausted, but the beds were to be made. After a few minutes discussion on the plans they were made and set up in the rooms. The Infirmary looks great. Sr Rose, Tita (The Social Worker) and some of the children came in for an impromptu inspection. They were so excited and many decided that they felt sick and were so lucky to have a great place to get better.
Tomorrow is a day of rest! We finish the day with a formal blessing, followed by a celebration, farewell dinner. What an experience!
We have discovered that on Fridays the Internet goes down (and some mobile coverage.)
As Margie mentioned we have a very busy couple of days ahead of us. Tommorow I am taking a group to the 5am markets, as i offered to supply the fish for tommorrow blessing dinner, then we are going to mass with the children, then swimming at a better pool with more slides with the children, then back to TMMR for the opening and blessing, then our fish feast and then a program which means a sort of concert, a huge day. On Monday we pack n check out, and then hit the shops before we head to the airport to check in and fly.
So as you can see our next couple of days are full and with the internet becoming rarer and rarer (i am presently sitting in an underground internet cafe surrounded by young men who have spent way too much of their lives playing computer games) this maybe my last entery before we get home. I will take notes and place the last 2 enteries when the access and time are available. Thank for sharing this journey with us, all of the boys will have their own stories and experiences, this blog has been mine and the observations of those around me.
God bless and see you back in the lucky country.
Craig
5 comments:
The job looks fantastic. What a great effort from you all, so proud of you.
Am sad to think that this will be the last entry for us to get our fix of what you have all been up to for the day. Loved being able to follow the progress and experiences of the project. Thanks for taking the time and effort to keep us all informed, I know it must have been hard some days to come home after a hard day and think! of what to type.
Have a wonderful day tomorrow saying your farwells to all the hard work and all your new friends.
Looking forward to having you all home safely.
I agree with Nioka - I have become a "blog junkie" waking and immediately checking to see if there are new entries and comments. You all have been fantastic and have a cache of "life memories". Am really looking forward to seeing you all on home soil. What is your ETA?
Dear Craig,
thank you so much for this blog site it has been absolutely brilliant. I thought you added new entries from the comfort of your hotel room tapping away on a laptop!! To know the trouble you have gone to to get this information to us makes it even more impressive. Thanks for the photos and for looking after our boys so well (thanks also to the other staff members).
Now I only need worry about finding space in Tom's room for all these shoes I have heard so much about!
love Anne
This has been the most amazing vicarous journey for all of us who didn't go. Even in Queensland we were boasting on your behalf and the Vila boys and teachers were amazed. It is privilege to be associated with such a great group of educators and students.
Look forward to seeing you safe back at school.
Chris
Wow she does look beautiful!!! I have tears in my eyes just looking at her.Great job guys. Looks fantastic!I never had any doubt that you would accomplish this wonderful project and it has been a privlidge to experience this project with you. Wish I was there tomorrow.
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