plastering | A Case For Truth

Knackered.

Today has been a day of genuine work. Early in the morning, four people arrived at the compound, tools in hand, to start plastering the gap in one of the future-library’s walls.

The room right next to the library is the school’s reasonably sized kitchen, therefore it was important to get this gap, between the top of the wall and the roof, closed to prevent any possible damage to the books and computers from all the cooking fumes.

Unsurprisingly, things are done a bit differently here in Kenya. Health and safety regulations are non-existent and workers have to do with what they have, or what they can get. Therefore, instead of scaffolding, they put up several planks, balancing them over some other wood, that was holding up the ceiling. When planks weren’t enough, they used tree bark instead. Cement was pulled up manually and effortlessly (most of the people we’ve had the pleasure to work with so far are ridiculously strong for their frame, no doubt from years of working in these conditions).

After several huffs and puffs both myself and Alan joined them on the makeshift platforms and were instructed, by the self-proclaimed Chief, how to mix, spread and carefully apply plaster to the bricks.

What if they didn’t have enough tools for all of us? No problem, a piece of wood will suffice. Oh and how do we pull up the bricks? Throw them up and catch them, one by one, while balancing on the – ever so sturdy – tree bark of course!

After several hours of brick throwing, balancing, wasp bites (!) and plastering, the whole job was done. Their work was fast and skilful, considering what they had to work with. It has truly been a day of revelation. We learned how to plaster, and managed to do it, albeit very slowly at first, the Kenyan way.

I also cannot help but mention that the whole process was done under the watchful gaze of the local security.. :’)