“The Werkswinkel” is a busy place, just like any workshop you may find, with small groups of people busily involved in either preparation or completion of projects. The only difference being that all the people doing the work are doing so with some form of physical disability. From my initial vantage point I had a view of a number of people sitting busy with product completion on one side and on my right a number of furniture pieces being overhauled. The work is thorough. I picked up a couple of pieces (a birdfeeder and a wooden fruit basket – prototype model) and examined the work – good construction, made with care. The renovation or repair work – also good.
It is a busy place. Edwin oversees, keeps his sharp eye on what’s happening and runs a tight ship. There’s a feeling of camaraderie that I find unusual in such a business, but no mistake there’s hard work going on. Nico and Francois are both blind. Francois from birth and Nico for 16 years now. On my first visit I happened to have some of the wooden toys I make with me and they both requested a hands on examination. So much of woodwork is actually by feel, especially finishing touches.
On further investigation I locate the sewing section, a number of ladies busy sewing on a number of machines. Its busy too. I failed to ask the right questions in my initial foray in the sewing department and was happily lead astray to investigate some computers that required attention. At least they are done now. My next visit will reveal the secrets of the sewing department. Stay tuned.
Contributed by Raoul the Owl, a humble and committed carpenter who makes and sells children’s wooden toys in the Garden Route South Africa