Tuesday, November 11
Back on for breakfast in Tarangire! It was an Ugi morning so showing up at 6:20 is ok! That extra couple minutes sleep really makes a difference!
9-10:30 back with the preschoolers. We have a pretty good system going now - they have to work until about 9:40/9:45 - then playtime - then story time. We have these small daftaris (notebooks) that they each have and they can practice their letters and math in there. That way, anyone can see how each child is progressing. It's amazing how much each child actually knows if you can sit alone with them - one on one and just focus on that one child. They shine!
We also pulled out the Legos for the first time. What a hit that was! Jack helped them and they all made cool cars, rockets, space ships etc. There was no time for a book because everyone was so engrossed in the legos, even Jack!
After lunch, Molly, Lindsay and I have our English class. We spent the entire time reviewing because tomorrow they have an exam on all that they have learned since July, when they started. For the most part they are all pretty good. They can easily have a conversation - with greetings and questions about you and your family. They can also tell you why they are taking the class and what they want to do. I think they all realize that English is an important language to learn! We played scattergories and that had us all laughing. Adding the element of time to any game seems to break the ice and make people laugh and enjoy!
Teaching this class is so different from being with the younger children. Certainly doesn't leave you with a headache and I never have to say, "Please use your inside voices". In fact most of these young Tanzanians need to turn up the volume when they speak as it really sounds like they are whispering. You would think it would be only when they speak English- but it's also when they speak Kiswahili.
We use a whiteboard to write everything down (as making handouts/copies is just not realistic for every class). And they love to come up and clean the board whenever we need it cleaned. They are all so sweet, full of smiles and want to learn!
I joined Sara and Ellie in the rec hall again for another workout - this time with weights! While I was sweating in there Jack was out on the town field by Campi Nairobi playing soccer with the older guys.
When I was finished, I walked out there to watch him - I so wish I could post of picture of what I see.
The field is slanted - not from goal to goal but side to side. I sit on the higher side and look down across the field, past a line of purple jacaranda trees, to the red brick square homes of Campi Nairobi with grey smoke hovering over the roofs, to lines of laundry hanging from house to house, to small children running around, and playing, to chickens and goats roaming, to the sun setting in the background.
It's just beautiful.
Anyway, they play until they can't see the ball anymore. At that point the only one I can see is Jack who was playing on the No-shirts team - they have the front of their T-shirts over their head so their stomachs and chests are visable. Of course when it's dark - I can't see any of the Tanzanians!
Yet another night of cold showers - I'm getting used to it - you just have to deal and then throw on some warm clothes after.
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