Day 3 Wednesday 1st March - Tour and Destruction

Storms came and went in the night with a bang and a flash.

Today was our first visit to the Nile Vocational Institute, a truly amazing place. Following a warm greeting from Joseph, Robert, Reverend Issac, Ruth and Ambrose and some food and drink (which we are promised will be a regular occurrence during our work here) we were given a tour of the site, visiting all of the departments and meeting both students and faculty staff. All the department staff gave small talks about their areas with all of them showing great passion for their chosen field and students, keen to point of out the inclusivity of both boys and girls within their courses with a girl top of the class in woodwork and boys represented in both hairdressing and textiles.

On visiting the mechanical department we were meet by a Japanese gentleman who is volunteering at the institute keen to point out his missing pick up engine, only for Antonio to burst into a full conversation in fluent Japanese much to everyone’s surprise.

The catering department fed us very well to fuel an afternoon of work ahead of us.

The afternoon saw us all change into our work clothes and embark on the start of the project to refurbish the catering department. Arriving to find almost everything still in place, after a brief um-ing and ah-ing, many hands made light work and the rooms were cleaned of furniture and most of the ovens, pots and pans in no time at all. What followed must have looked like a chaotic whirlwind to anyone watching as destruction reigned. The old tiles were ripped from the walls the old steel sheets and vinyl covering the worktops were stripped off and even a kitchen sink was removed. You can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs as they say!

Things not being removed were either covered, masking taped over or cleaned to within an inch of their life, we even manage to start some painting! After a manic few hours Steve spoilt the fun and dragged us all away back to the hotel for showers and more food. Not to mention the possibility of a well earned Nile (other drinks available of course)…