Spring, 2005: Issue #4

SLATE SIDING IN MOROCCO

John Ball, internationally renowned, award-winning roofer from Northern Ireland, and son, Gary, apparently do their fair share of charity work. They took a trip to the Village of Hope Christian Orphanage in the Middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco, carrying along 1,250 slates to be used as new siding on an orphanage building.They were thoughtful enough to send us some photos of their work, which we are using here with their kind permission.

The orphanage is located about 200 miles “northeast, then southeast” of Casablanca by train and taxi. The unforeseen difficulties that popped up during the project included a lack of battens to nail the slates onto. This problem was solved by locating ten pieces of spruce planking at a town 12 miles away and cutting it into “tolerable battens” using a “very antiquated and dangerous looking bandsaw.” John tells us that this area of Morocco is well off the tourist track and little English is spoken. The deeply Islamic people “showed no animosity toward us and were always ready for a great deal of handshaking, cheek kissing and ‘Salam Aleecom’ (you are welcome) greeting.”

Perhaps if our armies invaded countries bearing roofing slates rather than bombs, the world would be a safer, drier and happier place.

Read an article by John Ball.

 

 

 

 

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