We've got an interschool football tournament, but have no idea what is involved, how many kids, what time...etc! I've no idea if I will be teaching my Grade 5s today or not.
Sadly St Paul's lost in the 1st round. We played really well in the first half and should have won the match convincingly, but for a couple of dodgy offside decisions.
The match ended in a draw and was decided on the craziest ever penalty shootout I have ever seen. All sorts of penalties were retaken and some serious cheating insued with staff used for penalties from the Bread of Life school.
So we lost on penalties.
However the kids were adorable, it was however gutting that we were unable to feed the 5000 with food supplies or water. We could have only satisfied a few and disappointed so many. Watching the kids plead for food was upsetting, but it has become part of a daily routine to hear "madame I'm hungry!"
11/08
I visited the market - the number of flies was disgusting. It smelt awful too. I have bought some really nice material. Its so hard to find things to buy here. In Ghana, Accra wason the doorstep with street vendors everywhere. I miss Osu and Pig Farm.
This afternoon was AWESOME! I was really dreading it, but it turned out fine. Having waited AGES for the kids to return from lunch, we organised painting for many of the children (which was messy!) which they absolutely loved. Little Dereck joined in with his friends and have never seen him so happy.
I haven't devoted much time to Dereck, but he is the politest, warmest, friendliest, but often saddest child of his age. He's so adorable.
He tends to wander around aimlessly from school to school singing tunelessly!
We first befriended him when he sat down beside us on a bench at break. He was playing with some friends, when he really wacked his head. He tried hard not to cry, but since then he's been our pal.
The kids who weren't involved in painting played football - I got roped into this "madame, you WILL play!!!". I could hardly say no. It was lethal, I barely lasted 10 minutes, but the kids played all afternoon, with the game growing to definitely more than 11 players!!!
Thursday, 3 June 2010
Oh RATS!
August! Its finally heating up and I definitely sense a tan developing, although my nose is disgustingly burnt.
The other night, I TOTM caused me to be in the house on my own and I heard a shuffling outside our room. Suddenly I was extremely aware of the presence of a RAT scurrying about the place. Not only have they been causing fear about the entire house, but also some of our food has become unusable due to rat droppings etc. Yuck!
I'm recollecting on my week at St Pauls and what I have achieved so far.
I'm still in awe of Josephine. My lesson on "my name is Kat, I live in London!", she repeated to Claire later that day. Not only this, but she was able to ask Claire where she came from. She is so bright. At least there is a little hope for some of the kids.
06/8
It is so hot today. I promised myself that I would not complain about the heat and I am trying not to. We are 7km from the Congo and theres barely a breeze; this is equatorial sun, in Zambian winter! I shall not complain, because I know full well that on returning to England the icy wind and Mancunian rain will be penetrating my body once more. And I will be moaning about rain, endless rain, neverending rain.
It doesn't rain here.
The sweetest thing just happened. I received a handwritten letter from one of my friends. I'll try and scan it in!
The other night, I TOTM caused me to be in the house on my own and I heard a shuffling outside our room. Suddenly I was extremely aware of the presence of a RAT scurrying about the place. Not only have they been causing fear about the entire house, but also some of our food has become unusable due to rat droppings etc. Yuck!
I'm recollecting on my week at St Pauls and what I have achieved so far.
I'm still in awe of Josephine. My lesson on "my name is Kat, I live in London!", she repeated to Claire later that day. Not only this, but she was able to ask Claire where she came from. She is so bright. At least there is a little hope for some of the kids.
06/8
It is so hot today. I promised myself that I would not complain about the heat and I am trying not to. We are 7km from the Congo and theres barely a breeze; this is equatorial sun, in Zambian winter! I shall not complain, because I know full well that on returning to England the icy wind and Mancunian rain will be penetrating my body once more. And I will be moaning about rain, endless rain, neverending rain.
It doesn't rain here.
The sweetest thing just happened. I received a handwritten letter from one of my friends. I'll try and scan it in!
Early frustrations
From Livingstone we returned for a night in Lusaka's Salvation Army before beginning a long journey to Ndola. The frustrations between the group were already beginning to tell as a division was becoming fairly obvious. It was fair to say that all of us couldn't WAIT to get stuck in on the projects.
When we arrived, the boarding house was a complete surprise. Whilst the showers were horrendous, the entire place was lovely and clean and a wonderful environment to spend 2 months. I'd expected a lot less.
The next day was spent visiting the complex which we'd be volunteering with. There were several projects all very different and at different stages of development. Nearly all of the kids live on the complex (the odd exceptions live in Ndola and have to set off around 5am in order to make school ontime).
28/7
I'm exhausted despite it being 7.30pm. I get up so early for the kids that I'm already drooping by 10am! I don't know how they do it.
I'm finding the project hardwork. I can't teach my own material, des[ite my methods being far simpler.
29/7
I'm feeling really low today and am missing Andy a lot. I shouldn't have read his email. Its really hard not being able to text anyone out here.
I also miss my mum; I wonder how she is getting on in Tanga and whether she is finding the English as tough going.
I felt really priveleged to be given a tour of the slums and an opportunity to see how and where the teachers lived; alongside all their family. The smell was appalling, but there was such a lovely community atmosphere.
My first few days at school have been an incredible challenge. Their English is appalling and I feel like I'm such a boring teacher. There is so much that I want to do with them, so many games which I want to play, but I can't because I have to stick to the textbook. Grrrrrh.
When we arrived, the boarding house was a complete surprise. Whilst the showers were horrendous, the entire place was lovely and clean and a wonderful environment to spend 2 months. I'd expected a lot less.
The next day was spent visiting the complex which we'd be volunteering with. There were several projects all very different and at different stages of development. Nearly all of the kids live on the complex (the odd exceptions live in Ndola and have to set off around 5am in order to make school ontime).
28/7
I'm exhausted despite it being 7.30pm. I get up so early for the kids that I'm already drooping by 10am! I don't know how they do it.
I'm finding the project hardwork. I can't teach my own material, des[ite my methods being far simpler.
29/7
I'm feeling really low today and am missing Andy a lot. I shouldn't have read his email. Its really hard not being able to text anyone out here.
I also miss my mum; I wonder how she is getting on in Tanga and whether she is finding the English as tough going.
I felt really priveleged to be given a tour of the slums and an opportunity to see how and where the teachers lived; alongside all their family. The smell was appalling, but there was such a lovely community atmosphere.
My first few days at school have been an incredible challenge. Their English is appalling and I feel like I'm such a boring teacher. There is so much that I want to do with them, so many games which I want to play, but I can't because I have to stick to the textbook. Grrrrrh.
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