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)