Intern housing and more at Casa Kumasi. Giving the steward’s quarters a makeover or “turning the proverbial sow’s ear into a silk purse” – May 13 – 17, 2013
BEFORE
There are actually three levels to Casa Kumasi; upstairs where Jeremy, Justin and Allison live, downstairs where Bob, Camille and Amy stay and the ‘Boy’s Quarters’ which amounts to a basement under a portion of the house.
NOTHING A COUPLE OF BUCKETS OF PAINT WON’T FIX
Summer FS2BD interns were headed our way and it was Bob’s job to find them housing. After looking into hostels, he decided it would be safer and cleaner for them to live with us. We swept ceilings, walls and floors and Eric set us up with a painter and a carpenter who went to work. They repaired the doors and installed locks. And painted for three days. We would have liked to change the color but the painter pointed out it would require twice the amount of paint. So pink it was. We balanced it out with aqua blue curtains using material Bob bought in Central Market.
GARDEN CITY SUITE
Camille helped transform this concrete room into a bedroom with sheets and curtains. Bob drilled holes in the walls and hung mosquito netting, then bought a table and chair to use as a desk. Amy donated her coat rack. And voila!
We named the second room (not pictured) the Elmina Room after Elmina Castle because it is much darker and somewhat smaller. Before putting the final touches on that room, we learned that the second intern had changed her mind about coming.
A FUNCTIONAL BATHROOM
George, the plumber, came in and fixed the shower and toilet. Bob hung a rack and “shower curtain” and Camille scrubbed the tile floors. There is no sink but Daniel, who moved into the Suite will not have to come upstairs to use the bathroom in the middle of the night.
EARLY BIRTHDAY PRESENT FOR COOKIE
And then there’s the lawn which Camille has been cutting by hand using a cane knife. Eric was quite pleased with himself for finding a serviceable and affordable lawn mower. He and Bob have looked high and low for something in serviceable shape under 1,000 cedis. Seems like this is one of those commodities that only rich people buy.
THE MOWER OF ALL THINGS
Bob, the “Knower (and Mower) of all things” gets it done. In flip flops. A few years ago at The Plant, Lyle came to the door of the Abundance Foundation’s office and told Camille he was looking for The “Knower of All Things.” At the time, Bob was employed in an adjacent building. Not finding him there, Lyle figured he’d try Bob’s wife. Only what Camille heard was “The Mower of All Things.” Which made her laugh because it was true, not only was Bob in charge of the mowing at The Plant, he also mowed our lawn and the neighbor’s lawns.
BEAUTIFYING
From grassy overload to weeded and planted with two basil plants and flower seeds. Soon this will be a pretty and functional little garden space.
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