WE ARE ON OUR WAY!

On July 5 th, Bob and Judy will leave for Kampala. Follow this blog for our stories....and please comment...

Three Gone, One Left

So Teecha Judy, Teecha Bob and Teecha Gaby have said their goodbyes -with pancakes and sodas for the children and a staff room gathering with pineapple and water melon plates ( a luxury on Uganda teachers' pay). No risk of loneliness for me over the next few days. There is usually nice company for a pot of African tea on my patio - new teacher for the project Agnes yesterday and Maria this afternoon. And excitingly I'm invited to attend Maria's best friend's wedding reception on Saturday. The beautiful red earth soon becomes ground into the feet, so I'm thinking of a pedicure for the occasion..
Now about our actual class. On our initial arrival, Judy was taken aback to find that eight of our children had been promoted, but without any sponsorship,to the regular school. The question of who was paying the fees was sorted out in her meetings with the new St Henry's School headmaster. New relationships have been established and old ones re-affirmed. The 6 new children have settled in really well - with the exception of BBC who sleeps out in the open with his mother and has been absent, apparently due to a lack of clothing. I hope to find him when I go back tomorrow to the Soweto slum with Maria and two academics from Trinity College Dublin who are researching the migration stories . In return for our help, they have agreed to seek answers to questions we presented to them that might help in the Literacy Project as it continues to evolve.
Two hands clapping together, you might say (the researchers' and the Literacy Project's). It's apparent that add-ons will be needed over the long term. Sadly, not all of the children will get sponsored or go on to secondary school. Fortunately, our Literacy Project directors are very innovative people!

Yes, I continue to love being in the classroom with these brave and spirited children. Hardly any of our lesson plans go as planned (It would help to speak Lugandan!), but the adaptations are always fun and the resulting giggles and laughter are precious. Stories - reading books to them and having them discover story-making through puppet and papier mask-making was a success, I think. Joining in physical education with our class joined up with others out in the red dusty field consists largely of dancing and singing, as well as some games, and is a great work out for me too!

There are currently 19 children in the class (hopefully still counting BBC) and one more that we'll bring back tomorrow. If you are wondering about a particular child, please ask about him or her on the blog.

Best to you all from Carole (called "Caro" here)

OUR LAST DAY AT TNP

We tried to explain to the children that 3 of the 4 of us would not be back. They nodded as though they understood, then said "see you tomorrow"How can we describe these kids?Bright, capable, and wanting to learn. Teddy has grown and is not as stocky a girl. Lillian, at 5, picks up everything. Hilary doesnt cry,but clutches his hanky. Moureen can be sullen.Grace is great. Our 2 newcomers just out of the slum are tall and gangly and delighted to be at school. Owori Daniel is very bright, itching to go ahead. BBC didnt show up as he had no clothes.Edmund smiles. Yasin is learning well.I will truly miss them all. We have 19 out of our 20, and I have report cards and photos for ALL of you who are sponsoring. Today I visited Gadafi at his high school. (I was a bit nervous on the boda boda and had to ask him to slow down). Gadafi is a joy to behold. We have followed him for 6 years!!! We now have a meeting with 2 Irish Phd students picked up by Gaby and carole. It may be a symbiotic, useful relationship, as they are interested in migratory patterns and need a contact, which we gave them! Im tired. We meet Hannah Grey for supper. Another visit to Kampala and the Namuwongo Project! Truly successful. You would all love these kids. To return to the Irish students: most of our kids are Acholi, from the Norh, migrating initially because of war, and now in a horrible slum..

judy

I want to here honor Judy and what she did here from her playing table tennis with someone,George, half her age and not only beating him in all the games but exhausting him and giving him Charlie Horse but her working "things" out with the school in what seemed to me to be a very difficult situation, and her making possible a meeting with the Rotary Club which then was of help to our students to her arranging hotel accommodations not only for herself and me but also for Carole and Gabby as well as transport to and from the hotels Bob

Our Hearts Break

One of the new boys, who ,for lack of information we call BBC, came to school today with a rash and cuts.Agnes wondered,but the boy speaks a different language, and she couldnt get an answer.He is the boy who cried quietly for 3 whole days. She asked another Soweto kid who explained that BBC sleeps in the street. He has no shelter.Anything I write now is superfluous. We had a surprise invitation to the Rotary Club. It went well. I believe ther are taking over the sponsoring of 5 children at St. Henry's, and will do more. One woman, a pfof at Makerere University was interested in volunteering! I hope she calls. We are meeting a journalist at 1000 Cups this eve. His mother lives in Mtl. and we are a favour to his mom. We know he dreads this,but we dont care!

FAITHFUL READERS/HOWAAR !

Please be advised that Howard is not with us and does not proofread the blogs!!!Howard, can you get your name off, or are you indelibly with us??? There was a 24 hour power outage. the main, private supplier says then govt has not pais it's bill and the govt claims it has. Something rotten in Denmark. We had an interesting St. Henry's celebration, complete with a Mass.The singing saved it, for me, though I much liked the priest.Here is a serendipitous happening... The speaker i like alot was from the rotary Club. At lunch I perched myself between him , and the priest. We got to talking and we 4 are going to their meeting tonight at the International hotel. I will not remind them that 6 years ago, promised a stipend of 500$, I spoke at a rotary m eeting in Montreal, with Melanie, and we were never paid!!! This man made sense, and talks about pit latrines in Namuwongo... more to follow.We are pleased to go.We have only 2 more teaching days... the 6 children from the slum are now veterans, and doing well. For me, the most important part of the ceremonies today was the unveiling of the plaque for Peter Okoth, the Headmaster who brought us to St. Henry's. It was indeed a moving moment. Howard, you will love this plaque when you next come here. We 4 are well and healthy and send our greetings, with love.

Back from a Safari Adventure

Judy said that we are to write on the blog. So I'm blogging! Gaby and I just returned from two days, two nights away on a safari adventure with it's own stories to tell - including having our quarters raided by monkeys who even ate a portion of our supply of malaria pills. We have found a pharmacy that with restock us - phew!

But back to Literacy Project news - With the wonderful Maria leading, we walked 3 girls and 3 boys (older this trip at ages 7 to 10) out of the depths of the Namuwongo slum to the Literacy programme at Saint Henrys School. Gaby has been doing a documentary of the process. Our hearts are full with feelings for these children. For me, special admiration is reserved for the desperately caring women - mothers, aunties or just neighbours who pushed a particular child forward for our attention, and who quickly changed themselves and their children into best clothes for the walk to the school.

We have yet to meet the mother or guardian of "BBC" (yes, he insists that this is his name) who, once finding that that a meal goes with the deal, is warming slightly to our lessons. I can't help feeling a special attachment and responsibility for these 6 children, new to school and whose lives have taken a sudden turn.

It will be St Henry's Day this Wednesday with much rehearsed music and performance activities happening at our host school all day. Boda boda riding (motorbike taxis) have become the norm for carting stuff to the school. We volunteers join up back at the Kenrock Hotel late in the day to share experiences and have a few laughs.

My heart has been in my mouth quite a few times over this past week and I'm happily sure there is more to come. Best to you all from Gaby and me
Carole

Back from a

Failure/success

Our 2 intrepid explorers, Carole and Gaby, are presently on a safari that sounds wonderful. They are expected back tomorrow, Sunday, evening. Let us go back to Friday at the literacy class. if I had been my supervisor in education 101, I'd have failed me....The lesson I prepared was simply beyond the reach of the babies.By the time I sweated and scurried to get the crayons necessary, I had lost them. I tried to rescue myself by knocking on the table, chanting :knock knock knock look at me! They joined in vehemently, disrupting Bob"s math lesson. He scowled at me. I called out for Aggie, and slunk away in shame. It was not a good afternoon for me. The children are all tired. There is alot going on, practicing for upcoming St. Henry's day. B
But today, , success. Otoa David at the school has been bugged by me to find a ping pong partner.He lied a little so as not to have his friend George run in the other direction, saying I weas sixty, with Arthritis. So Bob and I tried with difficulty to find the Indoor stadium. No luck, the floor was being repaired. We tried the Sikh Sport Centre, no table. Our last bet worked out,but not easily. One had to be a member. I used my CHARM and got a day pass. George, my opponent, has spent time in Canada, 4 years at Carleton. He hasnt played for 6 years. suffice it to say...the author won all games. unfortunately he was recuperating his previous skills and is determined to win next week.I think Nyka George, our friend, Sophia's son, may play too. After the big win B and I went to Aristoc Book shop and browsed. Wonderful.So all well with us. JUDY

Wowee

Who can explain things? Africans I've talked to feel they can pnly get high by visiting places outside Africa like New York. Tall buildings seem to makw Africans high as if somehow in just fantasizing New York they enter The Empire State Building.... While I just have to walk to our school along the orange sandy roadway with speeding motorcyclists like bullets aimed to kill me,orange fortresses blending into the roadway for me to feel like one of those birds I hear forever chatting near hotel now soaring now singing. And the cows with the large horns we pass snd the bananas growing along the roadside. Thr people forever walking in slow motion( if time exists here it is no time that we know of). And why have all my prostate problems vanished here(I who was infamous at my gym for spending half my time peeing) when I drink more liquid now than I have drunk in Canada(I have not become an alcoholic only a passionate fanta fanatic). It is as if I was destined to live in Africa(People who hear me,acting like Moish condemning our winters which last at least ten months a year can understand my feelings). And those wonderful children I spend my days teaching--they can now add and subtract.... The courage,with so little English at their command to enter the English bastion with guns blasting away. Wowee. Yes and like Hopalong Cassidy--I realize how old my audience is--finally walking away in victory Oh yes, and the mystery of the death of Peter: was it because of an infection or murder by the hand of a teacher and that of the most fiendish kind,i,e, by the hand of an English teacher. Bob

Amazing

Two amazing things! Yesterday Carole and Gaby went with Maria into the slum to round up our numbers.Five of the 6 are already flourishing. One cries quietly most of the day....We call him BBC,but that cant be his name. Today our class went up to rehearse with the babies,but I poked my nose into Primry 1 and saw some graduates: Shamim, Charles, Mutebi, Gloria, Assaba... 8 were promoted without consulting us... we are working on that problem successfully.
But, the awful possibility seems to be that PERHAPS our beloved Peter was poisoned by an angry former teacher!The Bishop, and police came to the school yesterday to evict the teacher who was fired for incompetence 5 years ago,and living still in he teacher's residence.It is thought that h e may have poisoned Peter, gradually. (HOW) Evidently,he sometimes wanted o fight Peter,but Peter ,being big and strong and smart, always avoided conflict .OK. It isnt my turn to blog BUT, thank you for your comments. Moishe, I totally forgot about my door and thanks for the tickets. Marian,how goes it? Howard, the kids ask after you.We are happy but miss our friends. Judy

Day 1

It's not really day 1, but it's our first blog since arriving in Kampala. The trip over was long and tiring as expected but uneventful. Three of the four of us had mishaps. Judy misplaced her wallet in the airport before we ever took off and Bob came to the rescue, or so he thought, by involving airport security, almost missing the plane. The wallet was sitting under Bob's bag the whole time. Judy lost her pink (yes, very PINK) knapsack on Friday night when she pushed her trolley from the airport in Entebbe to the parking lot. She had to go back for it later and she did find it. Carole arrived at the Hotel Kenrock on Saturday afternoon in Kampala and discovered she was missing her cell phone. It has not shown up yet. Luckily Gaby's special travel inflatable pillow went missing but was discovered at the guest house in Emtebbe and as a result Gaby will be able to face the long trip back to the West. The only traveller who has been blemish free is Teacher Bob but he has been falling asleep in his soup in the evenings.
Sunday, July 3rd, Gaby, Bob and Carole made a reconnnaissance walk to St Henry's school. To their delight a little boy was who had been hanging around the school grounds spptted Bpb and came over and said very quietly "Teacher Bob!". It was Assaba Michael. Later on that evening, the whole group shared a meal and wonderful talk with David Otoa, the school bursar (accountant).
Monday morning everybody woke up with the roosters and had breakfast as the sun was rising in order to be at the school on time (8 am). There were hugs and kisses all around as Maria and David and other familiar staff welcomed the group.
Each of us will contribute our own individual blogs with our personal impressions over the next few weeks. Stay tuned and weeraba (goodbye)!

Once Again, we are preparing to leave!

Bob, Judy, Carole Summers and Gaby Darling are readying themselves for a Ugandan adventure. We return to our literacy class,staying again at the Kenrock, filled with ideas and hopes. Read us daily , after July 4, our first day of "school" Weare always excited to read your comments. WISH US A PRODUCTIVE AND SAFE TRIP!

I'M Dancing!

After yesterday's tiring, but very fulfilling day, today was joyous and fun-filled! Today was to be my last day with the children and teacher's of the Namuwongo Project. This visit was a whirl-wind, filed with organizational work and some time teaching the children in the classroom. But it passed too quickly! I arranged for a good-bye party with our children and their neighboring, same-aged, primary class. It still amazes me how a little bit of popcorn cookies, the Ugandan version of the WAGON WHEEL cakes, and Mango juice can bring such expectation and joy to the faces of these young children. The classroom was bursting with children, but you "could have heard a pin drop" as these 5-7 year olds sat quietly, patiently waiting for their teachers' permission to begin enjoying these rare treats.
When all was consumed, they all sang and danced in appreciation, cheering for me and hugging whatever part of my body they could grab! To their great delight, I joined in and danced and clapped with them! Hopefully, the video I am trying to attach to this posting will work and you can see all my 'moves'!

I leave the Namuwongo children with my heart full! I have often mentioned that this experience has changed my life. I must thank my co-director Judy Labow and the many volunteers who have shared experiences here in Namuwongo, Uganda. Thank-you to all the individuals and schools who worked so had to raise $'s and provide materials and supplies. Without our supporters we would not be able to continue helping the children of Namuwongo. I look forward to my next visit!!

I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE EASIER!

I couldn't submit a BLOG entry yesterday as we experienced one of the many power failures that plagues this country. The power came back on this afternoon and hopefully will stay on until I finish this entry.

Maria, the headmaster of St Henry"s, and I went into the Soweto section of the Namuwongo Shanty Town. This area is even more impoverished than the section from which our existing students live.
(wow! just had another 1/2 hour power failure. Than goodness for the save feature on this BLOG service!)
Since I had visited Namuwongo several times on past visits I thought I might be somewhat 'hardened' to what I would see. Once again, I found myself trying to hold back the tears as I walked through such extreme poverty, watching the wide eyes of the countless numbers of children who jockeyed for the best position to hold this white-haired,balding, somewhat elderly, Muzungo's (white person) hand. Their hunger was apparent as was their curiosity! How could these little bodies that were so hungry still maintain shy smiles and laughter when I would point my camera at them? How would I able able to say "no" to all but the chosen seven?
Maria was terrific! She would literally capture in her arms a child who looked like a potential candidate and ask, usually in their local dialect, a few questions that would indicate whether a child met our simple criteria: an orphan between the ages of 5-7 years not currently attending school, with care-givers (if any) able to get the child to our program. Very quickly we were surrounded by adults who heard that we were looking for children. Many would 'shade' the truth by saying the child was the age we were looking for when they were clearly too young or too old. Maria would question the children directly because they have only known how to tell the truth in their short life experience. I must admit I made only 1 exception. We came upon Grace, a tallish, thin wisp of a girl hiding behind two older woman whom we later discovered were her grandmother and great aunt. Another woman lay on a bench next to them, her head covered by a thin, worn scarf. We asked who Grace's mother was, and one of the old woman pointed to the bench. Grace knelt next to her mother and whispered something to her. Her mother rose from the bench removing the scarf. It was immediately obvious that this was a very sick woman. She appeared very frail, open sores covering several areas of her face. We asked Grace's age and were informed she was 9. Both the mother and the grandmother got down on their knees and explained that the father had died, Grace's mom was seriously ill, and that they wanted Grace to be able to go to school. I had to turn my back so they they could not see the tears that I knew were coming. How could I say 'no' to a child and what was left of her family, who only wanted to go to school, be assured of a meal, and have a place for 8 hours where she could be assured of some joy in her life. Grace has joined the Namuwongo Project!

I'M BACK AGAIN!

It is always a pleasure to return to Uganda and the warm welcome I receive from the children in the Namuwongo Project, as well as the staff members in our program, and, those at St. Henry's Primary School.
The Namuwongo program continues to thrive! Teacher Joyce is an excellent educator for our little ones. Tomorrow I go into Namuwongo for the tremendously difficult task of choosing 7 new children for our program. Walking through the poverty and devastation that is the lives of the Namuwongo inhabitants, and then having to say "no" to some children, always takes away a chunk of my heart.
The rest of today's entry will be given over to a tribute to the late Peter Okoth. Peter was the headmaster of St Henry's Primary School and was a great supporter of the Namuwongo Project. Peter passed away suddenly after returning home to his village during the summer. We will miss him greatly, but are grateful for the continued support for the Namuwongo Project by his replacement, Maria. To best express the 'nature of the man' I have included a tribute to Peter Okoth, written by Laura, a staff member at St. Henry's Primary School.

Dear Friends of St Henry -

With a heavy heart I write to share with you that we have lost our beloved Peter Okoth, Head Master of St Henry's Primary School this last weekend. Cause of death remains uncertain, but believed to be food/water poisoning. He and the family had gone to Tororo for the school holiday, where he became sick. The funeral Mass was held on Monday in Tororo. More then 150 people from Kampala made the journey for the service a testament to who the man was. As I was in Kenya at the time, I was regrettably unable to attend.

Peter was a man who stood head and shoulders above most others literally and figuratively. He was a great Father to not only his own children, but all those who came within his wings. He was role model for being other centered in a place where leadership is defined by helping yourself first. While he and his family lived on modest means (2 Ugandan teacher salaries), there was always enough to share of his resources and time. He never seemed to get dismayed by the perpetual challenges of working and living in this environment. He knew how to be a reed, bending when the wind blows and returning upright when it eased. He was a model of Christian brotherhood for me, and a bright shining star. He had a beautiful relationship with his wife Ester, treating her with respect and dignity, even letting her finish her BA degree first. He was a leader in his faith communities both here in Kampala and his home parish of Tororo, in addition to all his work for the School. He was full of ideas for ways to help make life better for all those around him. He had developed a great vision for St Henry's and built up a good community around the school through the parents and partnerships. He was wanting to ever improve the quality of the education by expanding and broadening the school by bringing in technology, adding a library, trying to get more training for teachers, developing his own skills, making capital improvements, fundraising for the most needy families scholarship fund, and trying to figure out some alternative income generating activity for the school. He was a joy to work with and I will miss him greatly. While we can only rejoice for him that he has joined our Father King, we will carry the burden of his absence for years to come. They say a man never stands so tall as when he bends a knee to help a child. Peter was always standing tall.

He is survived by his lovely wife Ester and their three children Susan, Peter, and Cynthia, as well as a large extended family, 300 plus students and teachers, along with two faith communities--St Charles Lwanga and his home Parish in Tororo.

Laura

final final day

I forgot to mention a mystery which I will first give you,drawing it out as long as I can then when you can't stand it anymore and are fearful you will have horrible dreams about it as well as cursing me and threatening to kill me I will give you the answer. So this is the way it begins: the first day I have breakfast--no mystery yet we all have breakfasts or at least we should--when suddenly the roof begins to echo and re-echo with a loud noise. It is as if someone is bowling on the roof. Several times the loud booming is repeated. On the second day-notice how I am prolonging the mystery-the bowling continues. Now Judy is caught up in the mystery as no doubt you are as well. Could large coconuts be falling on the roof and if they are could they someday fall on our heads? But there are no coconut trees near by. Now,like you, we are becoming desperate. What is the source of the loud noise? Could there really be somebody bowling up there? Then Judy comes up with a bright idea. let us ask someone. Can you now guess the answer? Can you? Can you? No you can't. Tiny beans dropping down on our metal. andc you thought it was somone bowling. Bob

Sadness and Joy

Our last day. It was less strenuous this year because we worked 8-12:30 only and did notn come back 4 times a week for the Peace and Justice club. So, less tired. I will miss these kids dreadfully. I feel Iv gotten to know then very well in this little time. We had a small party for the kids,who sit in rapt silence, as goodies are distributed.Almost painful to watch, as we know why.They are hungry. We also brought in small treats for the teacher recess. So ,make what you will of this: I did NOT attend a meeting of the Young Socialist Club, headed by Nyka G., because I represent the literacy project, and in a sense L.O.V.E.I wanted badly to go. They meet Sundays at 6:30. We were there, nodded, and left as G and friends came in.. Then, today, there were many prayers, thanking the 2 teachas from Canada , when , on an impiulse I taught the 45 assemled children and 2 teachers " ,Baruch atta Adonai, Elohainu Malech Ha Olam, ha Motzi lechem min ha arets" Joyce says she will review this prayer with them... We have seen big changes in the children. Mutebe Julius is now very controllable and learning! Charles is speedy. Asaba learns. Shamim is smart. Teddy is stolid and curious. I hope the videos that James took come out! Goodbye wond a ful St. Hentry's and TNP! Tomorrow we will pack and then go to enjoy the pool at La Forest,nearby. Sunday, off to Zanzibar , a film festival, and beaches. TNP is a WONDERFUL project.!! Support us! J

The final day

After we met the children for the last time both of us felt very sad. Such nice kids. So very cute. We had two parties: one for the teachers,one for the students Our students,and the other students from the kindergarden Our students got cereal,popcorn,dried dates so did the other students. Images of Uganda: hardworking people(passing by restaurant door before seven A.M bound for work,the woman at the hotel hard at work on the restaurant floor at 6:30 A.M.).; People of Kampala not standing for any wrong. They will beat-up those they feel have done wrong from thievery to murder(Hannah who lives here has seen mobs attack thieves,has been told of drivers of motorcycles,cars fleeing accidents because they are fearful of the vengeance of mobs.) Nice people,friendly,polite. Now its off to Zanzibar. See you people soon.

Bob

Almost Over!!!

If you stood motionless, even on a quiet road, within 3 hours your clothes and body would be covered with red dust.If you are careful, you are never truly clean, as after a shower you put on deet, to add a step against Malaria. Molly, at school, got Malaria. So did a doctor friend of Roz Labow's.... We are careful: bottled water,only cooked vegetables, and fruit one can peel.So far, so good. Tomorrow is our last day! Bob was upset today when the teacher left the children to their own devices while she and i tried to figure out words to a lovely Raffi song. The kids are taking exams! Imagine! We can use samples in our JGH nursery and kdg. I did 90% of the teaching today. It went well, and altogether Im very pleased at how our time has gone. I learned from the experience of the 2 previous volunteers, Ellen and Doreen. By the way, some In Need home kids, now sponsored, were CHEERING when they heard HOW AHD is coming next. TO ALL TEACHERS and OT s etc: for the experience of your life, work with us in Namuwongo! J

tid and bits

Whew, ya gotta live with it.ya gotta ....Its been one half hour and Ive gotten this far. Here are some tids and bits: is someone sponsoring Pamela? wHO? Next: Gaby , we used your lovely Bingo cards. We had to cover the number combinations past ten, and the new concept was very hard, but i do believe Joyce will continue with this!Later. I introduced the balance with concepts of heavier, lighter, equal....moved on to equalities with bottle caps. This is for Linda shecter...they were using YOUR parquetry designs, pegboards, blocks, saved from the garbage by our present kdg teacher who knew I could use ALL. And the children were loving every minute.It gives me the shivers. At supper( yoghurt, an apple, and 3 cookies) spoke with a young Belgian girl staying with an African family, disturbed by their display of wealth. For lunch, lest you consider us deprived, we shlep on the beautiful path, as described by Bob, but then eat at an Indian restaurant, giving us a break before the rest of the hill. Hearing of your weather, i am happy to be inIUganda,where it is a balmy 30 degrees.Bob is nervous. Dark approaching.Bonsoir tout le monde! J

Tests

After taking our walk to the school(one of the most beautiful walks I have ever taken:away from traffic and congesti0n. Red buildings,red roadway,relatively flat,few people,how peaceful,no fear of motorcyclists steering into you thinking you are a rock) we arrived at the school. We were then told that the students were to be given a test(Judy found the test as good as any she's seen in Canada). The result: I did not teach the students subtraction. I then wrote a memo to the teacher where I pointed out how one could use the counters for subtraction,multiplication,division. At the school I took videos of the children,their teacher,and Judy dancing(pretty graceful for her age which I will not mention only pointing out that she's no longer a spring chicken). Then we returned by the same path taking some more videos. And now here I am in a very talkative internet place trying to get out of here as fast as possible

our Adventure Continues

one high light was Gadafi' visit. He writes a not, thanking me , mummy, for helping him continue his education. Says he wants to be an engineer. Sister Milka also slips us a note. They want to be remembered to Jessica and Melanie.. The day in our classroom went smoothly. While teacha Bob cultivates advanced maths, Im counting bottle caps with the middles and bebbies.My lessons wnt well,.... because Joyce was in the room. Without her...? It is hot Power going out daily.The children continue continue to amaze me. Met with headmaster and found a way to cut our budget thus enabling us to add 5 more children. a primary school teacher earns about 1100$US yearly... Ti aad... a good ,but fairly intense day. I love the new path to school, and look forward to tomorrow.

Miracles

Well,after another power failure which left computers malfunctioning here I am again. We went to the school a new flatter quieter more beautiful route,a faster route as well Most of my students can really add now. Tomorrow we play counting Bingo and the day after I teach subtraction

Bob