A little late, but all is well
Believe it or not I have tried twice write this blog….and managed to delete it both times. This is the last time ill try. I feel awful for not posting more, but days have started to get busy. The teachers adapting to teaching in a school with 4,000 kids had been a task. All of them seem so happy though and are really enjoying the experience. The students have all been great and surprisingly have adjusted to having us here very well.
Yesterday after classes we got to do some sports with the kids. Recess with 4,000 kids is something you can’t really explain. We played games like frisbee, football, soccer, and hopscotch. A bunch of clusters of kids all over a large field behind the school. It was pretty incredible to see and to be a part of. We all got some great pictures and had a blast.
Today after school we sponsored a teacher meeting to recap the week. We supplied the drinks and snacks and had a chance to hear how the Malawian teachers felt about observing the TFA teachers. It was interesting to hear how both sets of teachers face the same challenges at times. They all spoke about new things they were learning by watching our teachers and it was just so cool to see that they really are making a difference here in this way. The meeting was rather formal but in Malawi that isn’t a surprise 😉 I could see the teachers all lighting up hearing how the Malawians felt after observing them. Hard to describe not but trust me it was awesome!
We walked A LOT today. Through the villages and over the bridge in the morning to the school. It has become a highlight even though it still makes some of the volunteers very nervous each time. We always manage to get to the other side of the river just fine though and get to have some laughs along the way. After our meeting we walked through the local villages and market and took a tour of a few homes. It is always interesting when the volunteers get to see how Malawians really live. We have been learning a lot about the culture and even had a speaker come to out village the other night just to teach us about the local traditions and family structures.
Upon returning today we still had a lot to do despite being very tired! We could have all gone to bed but we had a traditional dinner being served a local band and then traditional Malawian dancers coming to entertain us.
Tomorrow we leave for the national park for 3 days. Everyone is loving the trip and this group has been wonderful. I think it has something to do with the fact they are all teachers 🙂 they are organized and listen well. They take direction great and there are no complaints. Everyone is in bed early and gets up right on time at 6am each morning. I couldn’t ask for more. I think the next few days will be a nice rest for everyone and will prepare us for the 2nd week at the school.
Isaac (my friend) came to dinner tonight and we had a good time chatting. He and I are planning some travel during the week I have between trips. Should be some great adventures to write about then too.
I need to get off to bed now with the hope I can zip this on to the site in the morning before we leave.
More soon!
Your blog is wonderful! It is the next best thing to being there ourselves. Thank you for giving us insight into your day-to-day experiences.
Your daughter Is having a great time Kathy 🙂 all is well and I’m glad to know you are following us here.
Sounds so incredible!!
Glad your journey is going so well Erin! It has been wonderful to read your blogs and feel as if I were there experiencing your experience. I love it!
xxxooo Pam
give isaac a GINORMOUS hug for me…
A special to Isaac….