Mr Carrick,

Sounds like a wonderful hands on idea that l think the students will enjoy,
especially if they get their hosts to participate in the project. There used
to be a German company that sold Gambian wood, and l believe they also made
furniture. l once visited their place which at the time was located on the
road to Yundum, somewhere near the nature park at Abuko.All the wood they
used was locally grown wood, and they cut them into planks and everything.
Perhaps someone on the list can tell you if they are still there. You may
also want to check with the ministry of education and get information on any
technical schools in the Banjul area where they may be willing to assist with
equipment and some expertice to guide the kids. Again, it will be a fun and
useful activity for the kids l believe, and a  good way to "break the ice" so
to say, and get to interact and know each other.

Jabou Joh
 2/6/99
 A secondary school in Malvern, England, makes visits to one of two schools
in The Gambia about every two years, and in return for the hospitality, they
try to provide some help where they are able.  They hope to go to a Banjul
primary school in the year 2001.  They would like to consider making some
desks for the pupils while they are there.  The craft teacher here in the UK
would produce a simple design, so that they could make them while they were
on the visit.

 Please can you help by telling me ([log in to unmask]) whether you
think this is feasible, and telling me what materials would be best.  They
were thinking of building in wood.  So what is the way in which wood is
usually sold - what size and thickness of planks?   It would be useful also
to know the price.  Remember they need to find an easy way to do things -
they are not experienced craftsmen and women, and they will take with them
only a few simple tools!  Wood of the correct thickness might be easier than
very thick planks, which they would first have to saw down.

 They might also need screws, nails, bolts, paint.  What is the best place to
buy these things, and the best place to buy the wood?

 If you think that termites will soon eat wooden desks, then please say it is
essential that the desks be made of metal, but I hope the termites are not
usually as bad as that.  If you disapprove of the whole idea then please say
so!

 Thank you very much for your help.  The school here will be much appreciate
it.


           Mike Carrick  (near Birmingham, England)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L
Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html

----------------------------------------------------------------------------