Gaining skills is not just for employment, according to College of New Caledonia carpentry instructor, Regan Morben, it’s also about giving back to your community.
With that in mind, Morben tasked his students to work in two worthwhile community projects: the Lakes District Foodbank to build shelves, and to build doghouses for the Lakes Animal Friendship Society.
“It takes so little time to make a big difference in someone’s life, notes Morben, and by doing these kind of projects, I can show my students how their skills can be used to benefit their community as well as applying their skills.”
The Burns Lake Foodbank shelves were badly needed to organize the food for the volunteer program. Enthuses foodbank volunteer coordinator, Joanna Carnie, “The shelves are just what we needed, and best of all, they cost us nothing; [the project used up odds and ends from the class].”
Morben’s 17 carpentry students also built 35 doghouses for the Lakes Animal Friendship Society; 15 of the houses were made into flat packs, “sort of like modular housing for dogs”, laughs Morben.
Allistair Schroff, a director of the society, explains there are many dogs and cats that live outside for various reasons - even through the coldest of winters. If the animals cannot get into a warm, dry shelter it is not just uncomfortable, they can become sick or injured from frostbite or even die from exposure.
“We are extremely grateful to Regan Morben for taking on the construction of 35 dog houses with his class. Regan and his students showed amazing attention to detail.”