Projects
When we first started our work, there weren't safely-constructed classrooms at Dekpor Basic, much less furniture. In fact, it was several years before we were able to address the need for furniture for the teachers. It's a Catch 22, there aren't readily available commercially produced teacher desks, it costs too much for us to ship them from Ontario, and the handmade wooden ones do eventually rot and get destroyed by insects. It was time for replacements. We hired Ruben to make 10 new desks for the classrooms where they were most needed.
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Years ago, we constructed an incredible sports area with courts for basketball, volleyball, and handball. There is nothing like it in the region! To start, we used handmade basketball backboards, but the same ole story rings true: the conditions in Dekpor are rather brutal for things made of wood.
We are so excited that we were able to source some amazing new backboards that will withstand the climate!
The students and basketball teams from all around are absolutely thrilled about this upgrade!
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Look at this! Every year we are amazed at what YOU help us accomplish! We are so very grateful for your continued support. Please take a look at all NINE pages...or check out our recap video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVUg5hqPOfk&t=3s
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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Many families don't own tools...and if they do, they want to use them for their own jobs. What becomes a challenge in Dekpor? Well, the people get called to do communal labour. Each family is expected to have a representative provide free labour for jobs that need to be done, such as cleaning out ditches. Now, imagine taking your only shovel to a town job and it getting broken. Who replaces it? No one.
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Surprise! When we start this Project Page in January of each year, we have no clue what will end up here! Here you'll find photos of the smaller jobs and initiatives that we do.
February - paint the basketball net posts at Dekpor Basic School's sports courts
February - thoroughly clean the solar panels
March - solar battery upgraded at school's computer lab
March - Yia polytank repaired
August - Desk repair
September - Desk repair
October - street lights repaired and replaced at the Dekpor Central Shops
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This is an ongoing issue. The government mandates that uniforms must be worn at school, and yet the kids in Dekpor come from homes where there is no money to buy 'frills'. Attempting to provide adequate food is challenging enough.
