Two young Glasgow-based apprentices have been selected as part of a team of specialist tradesmen that will travel to Malawi this summer to upgrade a medical centre in the country’s capital Lilongwe.
Leading Scottish construction company City Building (Glasgow) LLP, working with Glasgow’s Lord Provost has been sending teams of its building professionals to Malawi since 2008 and this year marks the first occasion that apprentices, hired through Glasgow City Council’s Commonwealth Apprenticeship Initiative, have been given the opportunity to be part of the annual project.
Commonwealth apprentice painter, Lee Raeburn (18) and Commonwealth apprentice joiner, Lee Thomson, (19) both from Glasgow, were chosen to be part of the team in recognition of their high standards of work. These standards were demonstrated during an extensive application and interview process carried out by representatives of City Building and the council’s Lord Provost’s and International Office that saw more than 15 City Building apprentices apply for the coveted places on the team.
They will join the rest of the team that will travel to Malawi in September to refurbish a medical centre in the capital Lilongwe. The improvements to the facility will include new kitchen and toilet facilities, dental suite, pharmacy and laboratory.
Lee Raeburn said: “Winning a place on the Malawi Team has boosted my confidence and will be a great opportunity to give something back and make a huge difference to the community we will be helping.”
News of their inclusion in the team falls on the 200th birthday of Scots explorer, David Livingstone, who first established links between Scotland and Malawi around 150 years ago.
Lord Provost, Sadie Docherty, said: “”My office has long standing and continuing commitment to Malawi spanning nine years. I am deeply encouraged that two promising apprentices recognised for their skill will join the team. I can promise them they will make a life changing contribution to the people of Malawi.””
Lee Thomson was nominated for the trip by his instructor Ian Hazelton. He said: “I have worked with hundreds of apprentices during my tenure with City Building and Lee stands out as one of the very best.
“He is highly respected by those he works with and I would highly recommend him for the trip to Malawi so that he may share his skills with those in need.”
Mark Gillespie, Lee Raeburn’s instructor put him forward for the trip. He said: “Lee is a great team player and is always willing to help. He would be a great asset to the team going to Malawi.”
Graham Paterson, Executive Director at City Building, said: “We are very proud to include two of City Building’s hard-working apprentices to our team of skilled professionals that will travel to Malawi this summer.
“This not only demonstrates the level of confidence we have in our apprentices, it also displays our continued commitment to engage with communities beyond Scotland’s borders to help those in need.”
