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.