Boat Builder Project

Cam Kim

Training economically disadvantaged youth

Overview Cam Kim students
This is a three-year project in which 10 students will learn traditional boat building from master boat builders. Students will learn a valuable skill and the boats produced from their work will be given to poor families. Ten students and a minimum of 10 boats are planned for this project. Timeframe: August 2005-August 2008

This program focuses on practical skills. Master boat builders of the village instruct the students through explanation, demonstration and coaching. The process is "on-the-job" style, where students learn by doing versus lecture. The work includes individual projects and team projects.

The mission of this project Cam Kim students

Keep the traditional boat building in the local village
Provide jobs and training for economically disadvantaged local youth
Provide future manpower to restore and develop Kim Bong traditional carpentry village
The boats will be given to poor families

The students must satisfactorily complete the curriculum in each phase of the instruction. They are tested in stages and their performance is evaluated by professional boat craftsmen of Danang.

Results: The students have...

Learned to read, understand and interpret boat designs from line plans and other drawings, including making calculations from designer notes
Learned the proper use and care of tools
Practiced the preparation and jointing of timber
Practiced crumble the plank to make the flooring
Practiced the making and fitting of joints most commonly used in the building and fit-out of wooden boats
Practiced the cutting and shaping the oar

They completed their first boat in 17 days and their second in 15 days.

Family with new boat