Thursday October 30th

Thursday, October 30th

Today was our day to help with breakfast - that means up at 6. Breakfast is served at Tarangire at 6:30. Thursdays it's Ugi (the porridge) and a banana so I could come around 6:25. But alas all was already served by then.

Then all the kids get ready for school and do all their chores. You should see them clean - they sweep, do dishes, wipe down the table, clean the bathroom from top to bottom and even mop the floors. And yes, all their beds have already been made. There are 12 children in Tarangire and they are all amazing helpers and cleaners. No one is complaining!

Off to school - those who go all meet at the entrance of the village and everyone walks together. It's really very nice - they have such a sense of family and community. Vicente walked with me - so we were a little slower. All the kids arrive at school at 7:15 and then have jobs - cleaning, sweeping out the classrooms, watering the plants etc. Everyone knows just to do. And school starts at 8:00.

Jack was up by the time I got back and we sat down for breakfast - hard boiled eggs, toast, juice and coffee. We had a little bit of time before we had the preschoolers. We are teaching them - itís from 9-10:30 and there are 8 of them and they are out of control! They are also at such different levels that it's definitely challenging. A couple of them just aren't listening to us. Perhaps testing the newbies on the block? Jack and I decided we needed a better lesson plan for tomorrow.  So after breakfast we'll start organizing.

After this mornings Ugi, we all went out to play some soccer - even a couple of the older boys who have finished their school here and who will go to secondary school in Arusha next year. This is very informal soccer and they all just love playing with Jack!

After lunch each day we get a break - a much needed break! We are exhausted. But still have to play with the kids again from 2:30-4:15, then help with the bath time and egg & toast snack time. Then a small break - long enough for us to take showers - and back to help with dinner and getting into bed.

This is a well run ship. There is a schedule that everyone knows and keeps to. Everyone has their jobs and knows what is expected of them. Tables are properly set, manners expected by all. Pleases and thank you's, no elbows on the table and no chewing with your mouth open.

Each house (there are 4 including India's) follow the same routine. And it shows! There is meaning and direction yet also lots of happiness and laughter.