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As a result they had to rely on the Red Cross team to visit the island to maintain and fix their domestic appliances. This highlighted the need to provide training across the four islands where the Red Cross has finished construction, to show communities how to deal with household maintenance problems.
Over the last year, volunteers have been trained in domestic skills, such as rewiring electric power points, fixing hinges and window catches and using rainwater harvesting tanks correctly.
The volunteers accompanied the Red Cross maintenance team for several days as they dealt with various issues in people’s homes. They had the opportunity to learn on the job, ask questions and become proficient.
Top graduate awards
For each batch of trainees, a special award was given to the two most proficient students. They also received a starter toolbox with a good selection of practical tools to carry out such work. The top graduates have been encouraged to use their skills to start a small business and assist others on the island while gaining an income.
Since the training programme has finished, the number of calls to the Red Cross team has reduced significantly. On 11 June 2008 the Red Cross visited Maabaidhoo to present diplomas and top graduate awards for domestic household skills.
“This has been an opportunity to share life skills and shows how adaptable the Maldivian people are,” said Mike Wolfenden, Red Cross logistics manager. “Passing on skills means the local population can manage their own lives.”
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