22nd October 2007

Shaun helps orphans with new homes

Shaun Nee has just returned from 3 weeks in South Africa where he has helped to build houses for orphans and vulnerable children.

Sponsored by his employers Nottingham Community Housing Association, Clerk of Works Shaun went out in the role of ‘expert plumber’. “But reality is sometimes different to the brief you are given” he said. “I ended up being ‘expert everything’ pitching in with unskilled volunteers from local churches, starting with the basics.

Shaun works on one of the new houses

Fortunately, years of experience in building meant I could pass on tips of the trade. For example, I helped cut down the time they were taking to put on a roof by about 50%. This made a massive difference to the amount of work which has to be achieved whilst the volunteers are there.”

The scheme in the Willowfountain area of Pietermaritzburg is run by Thandanani Children’s Foundation and Habitat for Humanity South Africa. Fifteen houses have been built in the area and another five are almost complete.

One of the houses being built by Shaun was for Winnie Mjoli, a 52-year old woman who lives with her two orphaned grand-daughters. Talking to the local press she explained “I am excited and spechless at the same time. I am grateful to these organisations for what they have done for us.”

With the experience gained from this trip, it’s hoped that NCHA can persuade some of the contractors with which is works, to sponsor a team to go over and provide a full building service which could achieve much more in the time allowed.

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