June 2021. During that strange Covid time, when we almost didn't know, if we could go grocery shopping, we really appreciated when we could finally return to school and start working again. And because we were hungry for personal encounters and school events, we set about renovating the benches in the playground where the children play almost every day. They looked more like sad, old and broken pieces of wood than benches, so we decided to do something with it, in our own style.
Our Chris, who used to organise many similar events and happenings during his time living in Japan, was in his element again. It was also marked the beginning of our intense collaboration with Tomáš Zima, the dad of one of our pupils, who donated all of the materials for the project. Chris and the children took everything into their own hands and he lead them through the whole process.
Designs on paper, painting individual planks with a white base colour, outlining the designs and then painting them and colouring them in. Measuring where to drill holes and actually installing the benches on the playground. It was hard work, but it sure was worth it! Tak a look yourselves.
This is how good they look now! The benches served all passers-by well, especially if they sit and rest for a bit after walking their dog.
You can imagine how we surprised we were, when we found out this!
Yes, someone reallz took the time and effort to unscrew the backrests from our benches! We don't get it either. Nevertheless, we picked ourselves up and decided not to let the thieves win and show them, that we care about our surroundings. In May of this year, we organised a workshop directly on the playground and invited the school neighbours.
The workshop went well, those who wanted – some after many years – grabbed a paint brush and went to work. Thank you to all who joined in and once again to Tomáš Zima, who bought new planks for the missing backrests. In the end our neighbours came as well and we are glad we could chat with them. We really enjoyed it, we are going to finish the benches at school we are looking forward to sitting on those benches and bathing in the sunshine. Chris even came up with how to attach the backrests so they can't be unscrewed, so hopefully the benches can serve everyone for many years to come.
We are greatful for every moment, when we can get together with you and your children and create something meaningful.