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Benches, Bicycles and Books

Benches, Bicycles and Books

November 15, 2016 Posted by Keith Wight 4 Comments

Monday, November 14th – 2016

Most of the benches around the compound and at the church were made 3 years ago by Al Ball, Gary Ash and me. They are now showing some signs of wear and tear so my young team and I decided to do some repairs. As soon as the tools come out there is an audience for my work and each job has a different team. The conversations (In English, French and Creole ) go something like this:

Don’t touch.
Where’s the screwdriver?
What’s this for?
Don’t touch.
Why are you doing that?
My turn.
Watch your fingers.
Don’t touch.

You get the idea…

Josie, Karena, Judel and Markenson are in today’s team

Josie, Karena, Judel and Markenson are in today’s team

Watch your fingers

Watch your fingers

Judel was convinced that I put that knot in the wood. Actually he believes everything I tell him!!

Judel was convinced that I put that knot in the wood. Actually he believes everything I tell him!!

Me and my helpers return the bench to its rightful place.... as a goal for our road hockey.

Me and my helpers return the bench to its rightful place…. as a goal for our road hockey.

 

BICYLES

Msta. Keif’s bicycle shop is open 6 days a week for tire repair, chain reattachment, brake adjustment, seat adjustment, installation and removal of training wheels etc. Sunday’s I only do tire pumping.  I am trying to get the older boys to learn how to so some of these repairs but all the kids want to help. Today’s apprentices include Dieunel, Josie, Sandra, Anne, Judel, Karena and Jonathan.

Msta. Keif’s bicycle shop

Msta. Keif’s bicycle shop

The apprentices – Sandra doesn’t look too impressed by the adjustable wrench.

The apprentices – Sandra doesn’t look too impressed by the adjustable wrench.

Hard at work on Josie’s bike

Hard at work on Josie’s bike

 

At 3:00 there is always a union mandated cookie and water break. Dickieson decided that I was the most comfortable place to sit and chat and he shared his cookie and crumps with me.
Man that boy can yammer up a storm, he’s got a lot to say.

Cookie break – Keith and Dickieson

Cookie break – Keith and Dickieson

BOOKS

Meanwhile, inside the admin building Professor Joan is hard at work with her star pupil Ti Luc. They keep regular school hours and Joan runs a tight ship. Ti Luc is now registered in a Canadian home schooling course and is working hard and making good progress. Thank you to Beate for getting the textbooks.

Joan and Ti Luc in the classroom.

Joan and Ti Luc in the classroom.

 

Keith

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About Keith Wight

Joan and Keith Wight have been involved with HATS since 2011. Keith is a retired airline pilot and previously volunteered with missions in Belize, Zimbabwe, Panama and Honduras in various capacities. Joan is a retired music teacher and uses her abilities to assist with the office work and tutor the children at HATS. Since retiring they have committed to 4 months per year in Haiti. They live in Montreal and have 3 daughters, 2 son-in-laws and 2 grandsons and 2 grand-daughters.

4 Comments

Leave your reply.
  • Sandra MacDonald
    · Reply

    November 16, 2016 at 6:37 AM

    Another awesome blog. I love the bicycle repair apprentices, teach them all you know!
    I remember the first English words JJ and Moise said ” don’t touch”! I was painting the wood for the kitchen cupboards in the devotion room and they wanted to be in there with me, they were 6 and 5 and very interested in what I was doing. They repeated it because they heard it so much but they didn’t understand or heed as they were white all over!! I had much touch up to do and much scrubbing!
    I like Ti Luc’s classroom and his teacher…he will learn well with her!

  • Dickie MacDonald
    · Reply

    November 16, 2016 at 11:07 AM

    Love your Blogs, Keith. Get all the repairs done so I can sit around for a Month. Not likely.

  • Mike
    · Reply

    November 16, 2016 at 5:51 PM

    Keif….you are the best blogger….

  • beate
    · Reply

    November 18, 2016 at 9:34 AM

    So hilarious…Love the blogs…

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