Yesterday was busy as the team took off early and I headed to get some things accomplished. I think I have been able to secure the 24 bags of maize we need for tomorrow’s awards ceremony. Fingers crossed it will show up at the school before 10:30 tomorrow. It’s quite a lot and I’m not sure how people will get their bags home once they receive them…I have been assured though that people will make a plan and that I shouldn’t worry about it 😉
I have also arranged the food for the final meeting with all the Malawian teachers. The team has gifts they want to give at that meeting as well and I think tonight they will organize those things.
Last night after everyone showered and met in the dining area we started work on the certificates that we will give the 23 children when they receive their student achievement awards. We had planned to make them all last night because the generator was set to be turned on and we would have light late in the evening. Turned out that there is a problem with the generator and it will hopefully be fixed today so we can use it tonight. We might be without it for the remainder of the trip so it may be that we have to work with just our flashlights and headlamps. Either way we will find a way. The donations all need to be organized this evening since Friday will be the last volunteer day. The team can’t believe that day after tomorrow they will be back on the plane headed for home.
We had a really yummy dinner last night and chatted about their day at school. All of the teachers have said that this week they have felt more bonds with both students and teachers being created. They all feel very comfortable at the school and have gotten into a groove teaching and mentoring the teachers.
Charlotte got some paint yesterday and spruced up the 1st grade classroom after school with a few other volunteers. I can’t wait to see it when I’m there tomorrow! Some of the teachers were also sharing how excited they were to see the Malawian teachers start to use the techniques they had seen all on their own. I think it’s wonderful that the team from last year and this year have taught using similar principals and “tricks” which are easy for the Malawian teachers to use and try on their own. I know tomorrow will be a sad day as everyone says goodbye to their friends at Kauma school.
After dinner we played some silly games just in order to keep ourselves awake a bit later. We have a new favorite game we learned and then Scott taught us to play “hello Charlie”. This made us all hysterical as part of the game requires a black circle to be put on your face each time you make a mistake. Ill post a picture on the fb page. Once we went to bed I checked the clock and it was only 8:30! I stayed up a while longer and then finally drifted off to sleep. At some point before we all went to bed we heard hyenas howling from not far away. This caused some excitement but also some fear for a few. Nothing to worry about though as we all get closed in our huts at night and are very safe. The sound of hyenas is quite cool though… At least I think so 😉
Last night was cold and most of us woke up complaining that we had a hard time sleeping since it was so chilly. I think i will get some extra blankets together for tonight so all of us can be a bit warmer. The cold is good because it helps kill the bugs, so despite the shivers we are understanding of the fact that the cold is much needed.
Today I have been tasked by the team to buy a special gift for Sai. He is always so helpful to our groups and this team has something in mind for him. I have found a lift to town so I’m off to see if I can get this special gift bought before the teachers are done at the school. The plan is to meet up with them at the kindergarten later so they can see the kids that go to school right here on the farm and also see the budding that With Change In Mind built on our first trip 3 years ago.
That’s all for now. Love to you all and for those of you missing your family members get ready because they will be home to you soon!