Joiner builds desks for students at home

Gerald Moses builds desks for students at Gaskin Road, Bon Accord workshop. - DAVID REID
Gerald Moses builds desks for students at Gaskin Road, Bon Accord workshop. - DAVID REID

THE covid19 pandemic is affecting almost every facet of life.

And, with the new school term already under way, the transition from the traditional school classroom to online teaching is expected to present new challenges for both teachers and students.

For some people it has been a challenge to create the right study environment for children at home.

Tobago joiner/carpenter Gerald Moses understands this and is playing his part to make studying at home easier for the island’s schoolchildren.

Desks come in a variety of designs and can accommodate laptops, tablets, schoolbooks and other learning material.
- DAVID REID

At his workshop, Blackie’s Creative Hands, Gaskin Bay Road, Bon Accord, Moses has set out to build desks for the students “to give them the best opportunity to learn from the comfort of their homes.”

He said the desks, which come in a variety of designs, can accommodate laptops, tablets, schoolbooks and other learning material.

Moses began making the desks about a week ago.

“The desks come in cedar and teak and are built according to the age and size of the child,” he told Newsday.

“The bigger children will use a normal height, like a dining-room table. But the smaller children, eight to ten years old, they will use something smaller.”

Desks by joiner Gerald Moses come in cedar and teak and are built according to the age and size of the child. - DAVID REID

He said he can also build chairs for the students if they so desire.

Moses, who also works in the Unemployment Relief Programme’s workshop at Shaw Park, said one of his sisters encouraged him to start the project, and he immediately embraced the opportunity.

“My daughter now finish school, but I have nieces and nephews, and I decided that this is something I could really do, because I already have the skill, and there are children out there that may very well be in need of this service. So I welcomed the challenge.”

Gerald Moses works on one of his desks at his workshop, Blackie’s Creative Hands, Gaskin Bay Road, Bon Accord. - DAVID REID

Moses said the desks are affordable.

“I already know of the problems being faced by people with this virus. So it will be too hard for parents to have to put out so much more money on another item. Parents already have to put out so much for the laptops.”

“That is why I decided to help, because to go and buy one in the store is very expensive.”

Moses said he has already sold five desks.

“My phone has been ringing off the hook. I also get Whatsapp messages from people asking about the desks.”

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