Sunday 14 February 2016

Friday by Abby n Amber

Hello everyone!

Today we had our final day at St Maria Goretti. We started the day teaching the younger children who we hadn’t yet had the opportunity to teach. Despite only having a small about of time with them, we made the most of it and all enjoyed ourselves.

After doing our activities, we went off back to our normal classes. Our lessons were fun based and mostly consisted of painting, games, sports and gift giving. The children’s faces when we all gave them our gifts which were things such as pencil cases with pens, pencils, rubbers, rulers and colouring pens in. There were other things like activity books, stickers and balloons. Their faces lit up like little children’s faces do on Christmas day. They were all so grateful for such an ordinary gift, something in everyday life we overlook and take for granted.

When the school day had finished, we went for home visits, everyone was shocked to see how some of the children that we had been teaching lived. The houses consisted of a living/dining room, with a table and few chairs, alongside the living room and two bedrooms. Inside the boys bed room there was a wooden bed frame (no mattress) and a mosquito net. The second bedroom was the mother and daughter’s room this was similar, however they did have a mattress on the bed. They also had a storage room, where they kept their food. Their kitchen consisted of a square of concrete and coal. The family had to go outside and round the back of their house to use to toilet, they told us that they were sharing it with 4 other families, this shocked me as at home, i have two flushing toilets in my home and have never realised how fortunate I am to have them. The family also told us that their average income was around 20,000 kwacha (around £20) a month.  But I think the thing that shocked me the most was the fact that it costs 30,000 kwacha to send each of their children to school for a year (around £30) which to us doesn’t sound a lot but to them is a fortune, especially on top of all their other costs (e.g. clothes and food).

The saddest moment of the day was the goodbye celebration from the school which was after the home visits. All the children were singing goodbye songs and dancing, there were also a lot of soppy  to speeches, which made almost everyone, shed a tear even the children. Overall today has been a very emotional day! I think we will all miss the children’s cheeky bright smiles and the hospitality! 

Side note;

Amber- hi mum, dad and Courtney, love you all loads, see you soon <3


Abby- hello mum and dad love you both loads! Mum I really hope you haven’t forgotten to feed Gus and Toffee!! See you soon xx































12 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Abby
Wow what an insight to how these children live, we all watch children in need and see it on the telly but to go and see it with your own eyes must be overwhelming. You all must feel some pride and happiness at what you have done and brought to these children not only in gifts but your time and experiences.
Can't believe it's time your coming home, so can't wait to see you Abby.
I'm very proud of you and what you have achieved. Love you billions 😘💕

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

Courtney14 February 2016 at 18:01
hey amber,oh dear I sound like a right weirdo saying this ik save it;) but just seeing your name on the blog has already made my day but your cheeky lil mention made me even happier;) I'm sure mum will be experiencing the waterworks after reading this;) I can't believe i only have one more day of favourite child;) I'm honestly so proud of you and all the cooky caravaners say hello and they all can't wait to see you and hear about the trip {good luck ahah} I'm so sorry I haven't been able to write on the blog yesterday as gramps didn't think you had a blog ahah. we all can't wait to see you and it's getting pretty boring without you and it's pretty strange but I've been extremely relaxed without all the kerfuffle in the house haha. anyways I'll cut it short it's bound to be someone else's turn now haha. can't wait to see you! safe journey everyone!! #bickyforever x

Unknown said...

Well i bet you cried my babe when saying bye to the children coz u seem to always be the first and set everyone else off x you should all be proud of what you have done for these children this week and seeing how they live must make u think of what we actually take for granted at home now x sounded like an emotional day was had by all xxxx love you lots love mum xxx

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

Looks like an amazing last day.

I bet it was difficult but something you will never forget so you should be happy for that.

Good to see you are still keeping fit Ellie with the hula hoop ;-) even if you are stuffing your face at the same time ;-).

Love looking at the photos and you all look really happy. Hope you have all enjoyed your time together.

Now on to the next blog

Love you lots mum, dad, Keely and Lilly. Xxx

Unknown said...

Ah Amber, great to read your words on the blog, Courtney was right to suggest there'd be waterworks!! not long now until you can relive it all with us, we can't wait to see every picture and hear every story!
Enjoy your last wake up in another continent, safe journey see u soon. Love u so much xx Mum n Dad xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sara said...

Hi Abby , Wow today must have been really emotional to say your goodbyes & to see how they live & how fortunate we are even at times we think we arn't. You will gain far more out of this experience then you have given & we are so proud of you for having the courage to be out of your comfort zone & to do it . I'm counting down the hours till I see you & we can't wait to hear all acout this wonderful adventure you've been on. Gus & Toffee are absolutely fine , I'm getting use to Gus running towards the cage door everytime I go to feed him eeekkkk !!!!!
Saw the safari pics , wow I can't wait to hear all about it , what a way to end your time there .
Love you heaps Big Girl & safe travels home xxxx

Nehpets said...

♥ ♥ ♥ JACQUELYN ♥ ♥ ♥ - Very, very, very proud of you. What a life changing experience for you all this last week has been. Can't wait to hear ALL about it.

<3<3<3<3<3

mandy said...

Hi megan
I can only amagine how hard it was for you today, saying good bye to all the lovely children. You have done so well, so very proud of you.
Going to there homes must of been a real eye opener, we take things for granted every day.
Not long now till we pick you up
Lots of love mum dad danielle asia and nan xxx

mandy said...

Hi megan
I can only amagine how hard it was for you today, saying good bye to all the lovely children. You have done so well, so very proud of you.
Going to there homes must of been a real eye opener, we take things for granted every day.
Not long now till we pick you up
Lots of love mum dad danielle asia and nan xxx

Courtney said...

hey amber,Jasmin sent this to me to put on the blog x

Hi Amber, we all hope that you've enjoyed your time Malawi! I haven't seen you in a long time but it doesn't change how proud everyone is of you. We hope you enjoy the rest of your experience and we can't wait to see you in the summer. We know that Courtney, your mum, your dad, Nannan and Gramps etc are all very excited to see you home. We must Skype soon, when you're settled! We look forward to seeing you in the summer!
Safe journey home and good luck!
Loads of love from your cousin Jasmin and the Frisbys xxxxxxx 😘😘😘😘😘