“MY JOB IN THE REFURBISHING WORKSHOP ENABLES ME TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY!”

Edward Nkwatsibwe, EQUIP refurbishing workshop employee CSH, Mpigi Uganda

“Three months ago, I was still working in Kampala at Baboons Art Planet,” says Edward Nkwatsibwe. “I like working with wood and at Baboons Art Planet I made all kinds of handicrafts. That wasn’t always easy because for many jobs the right tools weren’t available. Or the available tools weren’t good enough. That’s one of the reasons why that company ceased to operate. I became unemployed. Fortunately, I was given the opportunity to work here in the refurbishing workshop of Children’s Sure House and Gered Gereedschap in Mpigi. Since I already had a lot of experience, I became foreman of the woodworking department. Together with his colleagues, Edward makes wall decorations and key rings in this department that are sold locally and abroad. “Part of the proceeds will be used to pay for the workshop and part will be paid to us. This enables me to support my family and pay my son’s school fees.”

Edward also helps with the repair and refurbishment of equipment and tools provided by Gered Gereedschap, most of which will be donated to vocational training centres in Uganda and the rest will be sold or rented out by Children’s Sure House to cover the cost of the workshop. “We have received a large amount of machines and tools from Gered Gereedschap. We check them here in the workshop and, if necessary, repair them and prepare them for reuse”. Edward picks up a drill from the workbench and then holds it up. “Look, we’re using this drill from the Gered Gereedschap container here in the woodworking department. This drill enables my colleagues and me to earn money and take care of our families. And since it’s such a good drill, we can also make better products with it and therefore earn more as well. The same applies to the craftsmen who rent or buy the tools we have refurbished. And the students who are being trained with these tools receive training with better tools than I have ever had myself. So everyone benefits from the opening of this refurbishing workshop.”