Week ending 29 March 2009
Just made our sixth week and already everything seems “very normal” even the bats that I can hear squawking at the moment! Not my favourite beast but here, although loads you actually don’t notice them until at night they fly out to sea and then it’s a bit of a black cloud flying over!
A good week, probably going to rather typical in the future. On Tuesday we went to our school in the highlands just for the day. Road not bad, although a number of landslides, potholes to avoid, well that’s pretty normal, until we came to the final hour when the road was no more than a dirt track with grass scratching the windows both sides. Here a boat might have been more useful as the road was in most parts under 4 feet of water as two rivers meet and we’d had lots of rain. Very interesting! Then we arrived at our school, St Michael’s a RC boarding school for 600 students, years 9 to 12 so a bit like our schools although many students can be a lot older. This is because some years they might not have had money to pay the fees.
We met with the Head [a bit of history here which we can’t go into] and had a good chat. He’s happy for us to go in and work with the staff on whatever is needed. So we will return this week for three days from Tuesday. It will be a bit of working off the cuff as we’re still getting to grips with the syllabi and teacher’s guides [which are excellent].
Wednesday we ran our first training session for teachers at our more local school, Good Shepherd, which they said they enjoyed and was certainly different [can only go by reports we’ve read!]
Saturday we went into town to The Oval ground for the celebration of Disability Week which a number of our colleagues are involved in. Didn’t take my “big” camera but did manage to get some shots which we’ll post shortly. Traditional dancers and musicians playing on plastic pipes instead of bamboo and using old flipflops as sticks to play! The little boys in their “paint” had drums from tin containers with plastic bags stretched over instead of skins but just as effective. Now there is a project idea for someone to use!!! It was very hot so only stayed for the morning! Nice though especially as so many people speak to us. One lady called out “hello Una” and to be honest I have no idea who she was!!
Today we went to Church as usual. Hot but we’re learning to “saunter” not rush! After writing this I need to start clearing up a bit as we’re off on Tuesday and when we return we’ll be moving to our own place. Have been making cushions just now ready for the move! Ken is watching Rugby, yes have just discovered that we have cable TV in the room and in the new house! It gets better and better!
Tomorrow officials come from the capital to talk to us about what we’re doing so we’ll be on our best behaviour! Will try and download some more pictures as well.
Take care all and look forward to more messages on the BLOG!