Zambia - The Movie

[woodbloke]

I don't have anything for you Steve but the best of luck to you.

...and from me Steve, nothing here either...hang on a mo :idea: You don't need three brand new Pax saws do you (d/t, rip and cross-cut)? - Rob

 

[Steve Maskery]

Whoo-hoo!
S

 

[woodbloke]

Whoo-hoo!
S

Thought as much :lol:...I'll drop them off at the Phillybench on Sat - Rob

 

[big soft moose]

Steve - I've probably got all sorts of stuff in the 'shop at work that we need to get shot of before our workshop move, but i'm not going to west dean and i can't get it to you before that weekend

so are you still going to be collecting stuff between that weekend and your departure in september ?

if so i'll get a load of stuff together and bring it up later in the summer ?

Also is it just wood work related or would the project be interesting in gardening tools too (we have rakes, mattocks, mells, bow saws etc that are surplus to requirments too)

 

[Steve Maskery]

BSM
Any time between now and my trip will do, but the earlier the better. The project is done by several teams in succession. We go out for two weeks and there is a fixed team out there for the season. I'm going on the last trip, before the rains come (at least, I hope it's before the rains come), as by then there should be something to film! But clearly it is better for tools to go out with the earlier teams rather than with me at the end. I think the first team goes out in July.

I'll ask on Saturday about the gardening tools. Certainly building tools would be appreciated (trowels, a level or two) as would some work wear (rigger gloves especially).

I think I've probably got enough saws and hammers promised now. Does anyone have a few spare chisels (I left mine in SL) or some drill bits and a wheel brace? They don't have to be Veritas or even new, but they do have to be serviceable.

Cheers
Steve

 

[cutting42]

Hi Steve

I have a few cheap chisels and a B&Q No4 plane that are not being used, if these are any good, I will get to you with the USA purchase in a couple of weeks!

 

[lurker]

Steve,

Consider 5 pairs of safety specs & 5 pairs of Rigger gloves to be on the way. More if you want

My PPE supplier will be donating these (he doesn't know yet, but as my PPE spend is £750K he will not argue).
Can you PM me the charity official website??

I have at least two braces & a hand drill awaiting delivery. Have noted your comment ref hammers & saws.

 

[big soft moose]

BSM
Any time between now and my trip will do, but the earlier the better. The project is done by several teams in succession. We go out for two weeks and there is a fixed team out there for the season. I'm going on the last trip, before the rains come (at least, I hope it's before the rains come), as by then there should be something to film! But clearly it is better for tools to go out with the earlier teams rather than with me at the end. I think the first team goes out in July.

I'll ask on Saturday about the gardening tools. Certainly building tools would be appreciated (trowels, a level or two) as would some work wear (rigger gloves especially).

I think I've probably got enough saws and hammers promised now. Does anyone have a few spare chisels (I left mine in SL) or some drill bits and a wheel brace? They don't have to be Veritas or even new, but they do have to be serviceable.

Cheers
Steve

Gloves we can do - we have hundreds of the things including numerous gauntlet type riggers and i'm certain we could do 10 pair possibly more.

Building tools i'll look into - i think there is at least a spare spirit level. ( I think we have a couple of braces and bits as well)

we also have a few power tools ( does the project site have electricity ?) think there is a spare hand held power planer, possibly a spare power drill, and one of those stands that converts a power drill into a pillar drill, plus i personally have a performance power circular saw which has only been used once (as i have a dewalt now)

also would a chainsaw be appropriate, we have an old one that is due for replacement this year (Stihl MS260). Its about 8 years old but still works fine. Normally work would sell old plant but I'd be happy to write it off as a charitable donation.

pm me your address and once we know about the gardening tools i'll make a run up to you - also if you could pm me the charity website as the charity number would be handy for our records.

 

[Steve Maskery]

This is getting better and better guys!

The charity is called Mission Direct. Charity Number 1107824. They are all Christians but don't let that put you off I don't subscribe to the philosophy any more, but I still rate the work that Nigel and his team do. I've known Nigel (the CEO) for over 20 years and he does this for love. He doesn't take a penny out of the charity for himself, he has the luxury of an independent income :envy: Our motivations may have different roots, but I can live with that. As far as I'm concerned it's the work that matters.

I'll ask about the power tools, but if it's like SL, they will be no use on site Cordless would be good though, we can charge at the hotel.

The PPE stuff, however, will be fought over, I can tell you. The local guys make cement blocks on site and by hand. It has the same effect on their hands as it would on ours.

Can you get some clear specs and some tinted, please, Jim?

T'other Jim, your box arrived today, thank you very much indeed.

Cheers
Steve

 

[big soft moose]

I'll ask about the power tools, but if it's like SL, they will be no use on site Cordless would be good though, we can charge at the hotel.

the chainsaw is a petrol model so power wont be a problem (though laying hands on 2 stroke oil might be) chain lube will be easy as you can use any vegetable oil.

Ive got a 14.4v rechargeable drill you can have (extreme power - the B&Q own brand) as i dont need it now ive got the dewalt.

Up until a couple of months ago i could have given you a little generator - but some scrote nicked it out of our lock up .

tell you what, if you dont want the mains power tools I'll offer them for sale on the forum - proceeds to be donated to your charity

 

[richburrow]

I have got some hand tools but can't get them to you for this weekend.
Is that still ok?

 

[Escudo]

Steve,

I have just landed on this thread. I will leave some items for you with Philly at West Dean. I have a spare cordless drill with two batteries, and I am sure I can find some other tools that will be useful.

Pleasure to be of help and to support your worthwhile cause.

Cheers, Tony.

 

[Routermonster]

Hi Steve

I too have just landed on this thread - an hour ago! - while checking to see who is going to West Dean on Saturday.

I've raided the workshop for a jack plane, block plane, and a couple of chisels - they're all in good condition - so I hope they are what you need. I'll leave them with Philly at West Dean tomorrow.

I admire guys like you who give up your time and energy with organisations like Mission Direct. I hope the planning goes well.

All the best

Les

P.S. I'm a Christian too but don't let that put you off! :lol: :lol:

 

[Steve Maskery]

Well thank you all very much for the excellent response to my plea for tools. As well as what has arrived in the post, there was a box full of stuff waiting for me at the Philly Stand at West Dean. It took two of us to carry it all back to the car. I dropped it all off at the home of the MD on the way back yesterday. I don't know who gave what but a very big thank you to you all.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Steve Maskery]

After going to the orientation day on Saturday, I thought those of you who are following my little adventure would like to know something about what I'm actually going to do when I get there.

The project is a school build. State Education is not free in Zambia, but there are lots of independent schools which operate by either private funding, sponsorship or charity.

A couple of years ago a lady started teaching a few children in her home. Word got about. Soon the room was full so she moved them out to a shed in the field next door. It got to 30 and needed more space. This is where the local church got involved and, with funding from Mission Direct, they contracted local labour to build two proper classrooms. That was last summer and they now have 120 children.

This year they are expecting it to rise to 150 and the plan is to build another 3 classrooms plus a store room-cum-staff room.

The children sit a sort of 11+, and last year 12/13 of them passes and went on to some sort of secondary education. I don't know anything about that, I'm afraid, this is primaryeducation.

Many of the teenagers, however, leave school relatively early and there are a couple of vocational schools for them, too. The girls get taught cookery and needlework, the boys woodwork and metalwork. Yes I know it's not PC but that's the way it is. So the good news is that it looks like I'll be spending a few days doing some woodwork teaching. It also means that the best tools you have all given will be used in a workshop and not just thrown about on a building site.

There is a fixed team of 3 people who go out there this week until the end of the project (October) although one is staying on until Christmas.

There are also 5 visiting teams, about 70 people in all, who are going out for two weeks at a time. I'm on the last team, going out September 26th. Ours is the smallest team at the moment, just 9 of us, but there is time yet to collect a few more. Come along if you want!

You may remember that a few years ago there was a Drop The Debt campaign for Third World countries. Zambia had a lot of its debt written off and the President decided that, as he wasn't having to fund debt, he'd spend it on education. There are lots of teachers being trained in Zambia, but, as yet, there isn't the corresponding investment in the necessary infrastructure, so we are really helping them to help themselves by doing this work.

Between us we hope to raise the 20K required to build the classrooms. This is on top of the cost of the trip. But every penny, 100%, of what we raise gets spent on the project, none is held back for admin. If we raise more than 20K we will simply build more classrooms or buy kit for the existing ones. If you have a charity-giving account, please consider supporting this. If you are feeling big and have had a windfall, why not buy a whole classroom?

As you can tell from this rambling, I'm starting to get quite excited by the whole thing!

Thanks for reading,
Steve

 

[big soft moose]

steve

when you say "buy kit for existing ones" what kind of kit are you talking about ? - I'm just wondering if we could also collect non woodwork related kit and ship it out - for example organisations in the uk have loads of tables and chairs that are likely to wind up in a skip/landfill unless otherwise used, likewise with past generations of computer kit etc etc

 

[Steve Maskery]

BSM
Hmm, very good question. I don't actually know, but I could find out. My point was that every penny raised for that project goes directly to that project. It's one reason why it's called Mission Direct. The charity spends the money itself, directly on a project that is already underway. In this way, existing projects, carried out by local organisations, are supported with finance and expertise on the ground, rather than just handing over a load of dosh and not knowing what happens to it.

The admin costs of the charity are covered by the volunteer fee (18%) and the rest of the fee (82%) goes on air fares and accommodation and the like, all directly related to our work on the project. We also get one day holiday at the end of the trip. I'm looking forward to shooting an elephant (with a camera, of course!)

But the fund-raising over and above the cost of the trip goes 100% to the projects supported by the teams.

Although tools are greatly appreciated, because of their lack of availability, in many ways it's better to give money for desks and the like, rather than shipping them over from here. First of all the shipping costs are high (Zambia is nearly twice as far as Sierra Leone was, for example) and secondly furniture can be made and bought out there and that provides employment locally too. But other stuff, medicines (such as paracetamol) and medical consumables, for example, would be very welcome.

There are other things that can be shipped easily though. Pencils and balloons go down a treat and are highly prized. Last time I took out some modelling balloons, too. Making balloon animals is a job for life, I can tell you.

Thank you for your interest =D>
Steve

 

[Steve Maskery]

Hi all,
A number of people were kind enough to promise me some usable but surplus-to-requirements kit for my Zambia appeal. If you have rooted out your spares and still wish me to pass them on, I'm seeing the MD next Sunday, 28th June. I have a box of stuff here to send and will happily take more if you can get it to me this week, please.

Many thanks
Steve

 

[OPJ]

Steve, sorry for the delay but I was finally able to find some bits and pieces for you last night, as I'm tidying up my workshop, ready to take the old 'bench out and bring the new one in. :wink:

I did find some bits for an old brace that I'm never going to use (I don't have a brace though). There's a mortise/marking gauge, square and a couple of other things I can't remember...

Anyway, I'll get them in the post for you later on today.

 

[Steve Maskery]

Excellent, OPJ, thank you. I'm collecting some from another Forum Member tonight, too. This is a most excellent response, thank you all.
S