Helping young Kenyans survive and thrive in Kisumu

Diversifying and improving the quality of the product made at Paluoc.

Paul our trainer at Paluoc carpentry workshop has always aimed at producing a better-than-average product so that the items that are made can readily be sold; the better quality gives pride to the trainee producing it and to the purchaser.

It is very difficult to produce good quality work with raw trainees. However some of the trainees are now at a stage where they can produce good quality work. Look at the sofa and armchair, and the church book cupboard and small chairs.

They have also produced this very smart bedframe and bedside cupboards, compared to their earlier efforts and their more standard school lockers and seats. The problem with working for schools is that, like many other countries currently and especially in Kenya, the funding is unreliable even though the need is great.

I am not certain that it happens all of the time, but they are taking more note of Health and Safety issues, and making an effort to keep the place tidy by dealing with the woodshavings .

A pride in their workplace, a pride in their work, but most of all a pride in themselves is what we are working towards.

I am currently working on a friend, who is a very good carpenter and a bit of a perfectionist, to help advise Paluoc on how to achieve top quality, and how to extend their product range further both for domestic purposes e.g. maybe bee-hives, or chicken arks or something else, and also for the potentially more lucrative tourist market (which is not huge in Kisumu but does exist). Tourism is not going to be a major factor in the next few months during the forthcoming election period. We’re looking to the longer term. The best idea would be for him to travel there and see for himself. Watch this space.

Thank you for your interest and support as we seek to make a difference in the lives of these young people...