Doing so much lesson preparation over the weekend made teaching last week so much easier and more enjoyable for me and for the children. I bought a few handwriting & reading books which I photocopied and based the lessons. Having a bit of structure and guidance gave me a bit more confidence and I felt like I was getting somewhere finally. I'm feeling more comfortable at the school, especially in the staff room. I've made friends with a girl called Madeline who is training to be a teacher. She has a pretty grim background; last year she was on the streets when her money completely ran out and she had no family to support her. She was eventually picked up by a charitable organisation who have set her up with a home, an allowance and pay her university fees. She's amazing and somehow manages to support 5 different street children on her meagre savings. The other friend is a guy called Charles who's volunteering as part of his teacher training. He's great fun and thinks that I'm completely mad - I don't think he's used to a woman being so opinionated! He has invited me to stay with his family for a few days in December. They live in Kisumu, about 5 / 6 hours from Nairobi. His family are planning a big celebration and feast and he wants me to join him - I fear this means I'll be witnessing the slaughtering a few goats! I also have plans to spend a weekend with some Maasai who have invited my housemate Daniela as a guest. She doesn't want to go on her own so I'm going to go with her. I can't wait it'll be fascinating. Thus far my weekends have all been spent with my family or friends who live here. It has been great having the opportunity to slip away from life here and have a bath, some wine, watch telly etc but now that I'm a bit more settled I know I need to use this time to really experience something different...and spending the night with the maasai just might do the trick.
I don't know if you heard the story about a man who was killed out here by elephant on his honeymoon? I was staying with a friend over the weekend who runs safaris and he was one of her clients. She got a phone call over breakfast on the Sunday telling her what had happened and it was the most hideous day hearing more and more information about the accident as my friend had to organise for the body and his wife to be flown back to Nairobi, contact next of kin etc. So many people I know here were devestated by the accident as they all felt responsible in various ways (the owner of the camp, the manager, the people who'd organised the safari etc) although it was just a tragic accident. Africa has so much that draws people to it but this all seems to go hand in hand with danger. Perhaps this is what makes it all the more alluring?
This week we have Friday off school which is rather nice as I'm going to my Grandparents 60th wedding anniversary on Thursday night so there'll be lots of celebrating.
I've got a few little projects keeping me busy alongside the teaching. I'm trying to organise a school poetry competition and the winning poem will be published in a christmas newsletter that I'm helping to compile. I'm working on the newsletter with a driver for the project who enjoys writing and has some great ideas. We'll give it to all the sponsors, donors etc updating them on what the project has been up to over the year, achievements, hopes for the following year etc. I'm also hoping to make a calendar to sell out here at Christmas. Each month will be a picture drawn by the children of what they hope to be when they grow up to highlight the importance of a good education in having a future. I hope to sell it out here and raise a bit of money and awareness for the project - so apologies in advance if your Christmas presents are all unsold calendars.