Wednesday 8 July 2015

Tuesday 7th July by Harriet and Anna

Hey Everyone,
Hope you are missing us all and that these blogs about our daily antics are keeping you sane and highly entertained. So today we had our first day with full classes, we were all very apprehensive about what was to come. We had a bright and early start, with the early walkers (slower, but more experienced walkers which included us!!) setting off at 7:30. Our favourite place to have a break is under the ‘Shady Tree’ half way up the, what seems like, mountain. We also beat Paige!! She has become the walking champion and is always determined to get to the top of the mountain first. Alice at Butterfly has now resorted to calling it a mountain; she is very lovely and takes our bags up everyday in the Jeep giving locals a lift on the way.
 We arrived (a bit hot and sweaty) and were greeted by a sea of gleaming children, smiling, shaking our hands and wanting to learn. After the initial confusion and swapping of kids/classrooms we finally settled in to our first session with the infants, ages ranging from 4-8. These proved quite difficult, as the students had limited English although the translators were a MASSIVE help. Most of us broke the ice with a variety of games, favourites including Simon says and Duck Duck goose (they all said duck in a perfect Nottingham accent which was hilarious, “Dook”). The students also got extremely excited about the resources, with some of them not understanding the concept of sharing and trying to collect as many pencils as they could in their hands, however, we soon got them to share.
At 10:30 we all had a half an hour break, when we prepared for the next session with the older classes. We take refuge in our ‘resources room’ at these times, it has no windows so it’s dark and cool, it’s perfect, and the children surround the door eager to see what we’re planning next.
At 11:00 we all commenced our Junior teaching, with ages from 9-17. The older students, in Harriet’s class, were often older than Harriet, Meg and Harry. This proved slightly difficult, as it was shocking to compare lifestyles and to have to teach them when they already seem so mature. However, they greatly appreciated the shiny new resources, especially pencil sharpeners, and our presence, attention and time.
Lunchtime, we had a traditional (and certainly very interesting) Malawian dish, boiled potatoes covered in an unidentifiable groundnut sauce (Kyle loved it). It was served with Papaya (Harriet’s new fave, Anna is less convinced), greens and soya mince.
The afternoon involved 2 activities, volleyball and loom band bracelet making. Loom band bracelet making were very successful and each of us were demonstrating how to make them, surrounded by at least 10 kids each. After a short hour doing this, we headed home, Jim pacing it at the front in order to get back in time for his evening beachside massage, only 2000 Kwacha for 20 minutes, bargain!
Later in the evening we celebrated Helen’s birthday Malawian style, with a local musician coming from Nkhata Bay. He was playing an instrument he made himself, that resembled a bass guitar, but with one string and a beer bottle to change the tune. Whilst watching this, we had dinner on the deck, a choice of vegetarian burgers and fresh butterfish and chips. Alice’s daughter, a new favourite amongst the team, had several fish heads, claiming the eyes tasted like berries!
So now we are sat here, most people have gone to bed except Harriet, Anna, Kez and Ror (Ror bought us a round of sprite, cheers babe). Kez is doing magic tricks (surprise surprise).
Missing you all, but having the time of our lives.
Loads of love,

Harriet and Anna (and the rest of the team) xxx

PS from Helen - the team LOVE receiving comments on the blog - please keep posting them. And if you haven't posted one yet, it'd be great to hear from you























19 comments:

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I hope you all are having fun and its great to see the children really are grateful that you are with them. Stay safe. Can't wait to here more about your epic adventure!
Take care,
Nihal G

P.s sorry about a removed comment, slight confusion to start with 😊

Unknown said...

Love reading your daily blog!
Carry on enjoying yourselves & making that bit of difference to the children's lives.
Love you loads Mollder xxx
Mum,Dad & Peppa

Vgower said...

Hi All
Lovely reading all your blogs and hearing what you're doing. It also makes me realise how lucky we are to have a good education system and facilities to learn.
Kyle Im glad to see the daily updates that you love all the food there and its great since your departure how I have food and cakes left in the cupboard lol.
Take care all and keep up the fantastic work.
Love Vanessa (Kyles mum)

Unknown said...

So enjoy your comments every day. We all look forward to reading them. It must be amazing for all of you, something you will never forget! And the photos are great too!
Sending all our love xxx
Martin, Eliot, Jo and Gagi

Unknown said...

So enjoy your comments every day. We all look forward to reading them. It must be amazing for all of you, something you will never forget! And the photos are great too!
Sending all our love xxx
Martin, Eliot, Jo and Gagi

Unknown said...

So enjoy your comments every day. We all look forward to reading them. It must be amazing for all of you, something you will never forget! And the photos are great too!
Sending all our love xxx
Martin, Eliot, Jo and Gagi

Unknown said...

So enjoy your comments every day. We all look forward to reading them. It must be amazing for all of you, something you will never forget! And the photos are great too!
Sending all our love xxx
Martin, Eliot, Jo and Gagi

Unknown said...

So enjoy your comments every day. We all look forward to reading them. It must be amazing for all of you, something you will never forget! And the photos are great too!
Sending all our love xxx
Martin, Eliot, Jo and Gagi

Unknown said...

Thanks for the updates - the photos are great!
:-)
Jonny
x

Unknown said...

It sounds like you are having a great time but working hard. Not sure I'm too keen on lunch but I'm sure if I was hungry it would be delicious! The photos are amazing and I'm glad to see the blow up globes are in use Harriet. The children look very excited. The dancing looks good fun too but make sure you don't stay up too late .... You have another early start in the morning and a hike up that mountain. Keep the news and photos coming. We look forward to them each day. Missing you but hope you are working hard and having fun. Mum, Dad and G &G. Xx

Unknown said...

Sounds like you're having a mad time guys! Shame that you two are missing out on sports day and Thorpe Park though:) Anna, everyone at work has forgotten what you look like and Spacey isn't missing you at all Harriet, morning tutor time is quiet without you;) loving the pictures too, maybe I'll share them with the group and update them...
Have a great time,

Lelly Kelly :) x

Unknown said...

I absolutely love love love reading the amazing blog:) seeing how all your caring pupils are getting on, hard work but we can see from the pictures and read from the blog how rewarding it is for you all:) Liv I recognise that photo of you running anywhere lol!!! Aunty Sarah says she's so proud of you as we all are sugar pie:) keep up the good work sweetie can't wait to give you a big snuggle xxx

Unknown said...

well, it certainly looks like your all having fun there :), really wish i was with you guys :), although i dont like the sound of the mountain lol, i would have to be wheeled up there i think hehehe.i love coming on here to see what you've all been doing each day. katie grandad and rita are here at the moment and send their love, siddy and nanna also send their love babe and have told me to tell you they are so so proud of you xxx. hope you hav'nt got any mozzy bites babe, katie :) i bet you like climbing the mountain dont you hehehehehe. oh and we have had 7 ducklings hatch :), well must go keep them piccies coming they are great, love elaine katies mum xxx

Unknown said...

Hi Molly and Buddies, Been following your progress, it's amazing and we are very proud of you. You have all gone away to Africa as young teenagers. And you will all come back home a little more Worldly wise young people. Keep on Laughing, just looked at the updates with the happy children. What memories you will all have. Lots of Love Molly's Nanar xxx

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Wow it all looks amazing! Loving keeping up with all your antics on the blog, can't wait to hear all about it when you get back. The photos are great, they're reassuring dad that you're safe Megan!! Glad the loom bands were popular!

Lots of love mum (who's now in sunny Portugal so not quite as jealous of you!)

Alij said...

Great to hear all your news amazing times for an axing bunch of people - be proud
Love catching a glimpse of u g in the pics xxlux

Unknown said...

Herroo Anna!! Mum asked me to send you the below message - I wasn't sure where to put it, hope this is ok!
Hope you're having a fab time, see you soon turnip xxxxxxxxx

Hi Anna Banna lovely girl

Well we have made a daily trek to get wifi to read your blogs but were not able to send a message. It sounds like you are all having the most amazing time . The pics are very cute lots of smiling faces all round. Can't wait to hear your stories and how all your lessons went.

Trust you and Harriet are behaving yourselves and not over doing the Fanta!
We are enjoying our holiday but missing you loads very proud of you,
Love you sweetheart
Mum and Dad xxxxx

PS papaya and fish eye balls will be in the fridge for when you get back.

PPS. For Barbie. Please give Anna a great big squishy hug from us. Thank you gorgeous friend, Happy Bazzaday! Cazza and Neil xxxxx