Tuesday 07-06-2011
Dear Parents,
The last couple of days were very eventful. During the weekend we went on a safari. We saw plenty of animals, particularly for people who had never been on a safari before, it was exciting. For the night we stayed in extremely luxurious tents that even had their own bathrooms with showers! We got back to the hotel on Sunday just in time for lunch so that we could recover from the fact that we?d had to wake up extremely early both Saturday and Sunday morning.
This morning we split into three groups. Nick, Leonard and Ms Keersmakers went into town to buy some school shoes and books for the children. Ms Cloutier, Aishwarya, Jackie and Carola taught the Kindergardens how to play some games, such as memory games and building blocks, which we had bought for them to make up for the fact that they couldn?t come along on the school trip to the beach. Job, Anna, Sjef and Nick helped out with first aid for the students. In the afternoon we took the rest of the school to the beach. They got very excited that they got to go to the beach. Unfortunately it was raining very hard for about 15 minutes but it didn?t ruin the day. Each ISE student was also given the task of having a more in depth conversation with one of the Kenyan students in order to learn more about their personal lives.
In total, even though we had already been in Kenya for 4 days, many of us learnt many new things about the students during our conversations with one of the Kenyan students, and had lots of fun with the students in both the morning and afternoon activities.
This afternoon, we are going to Freretown a last time for the goodbye assembly and tomorrow we're off back home.
See you on Tuesday!
The team.
3 June 2011
Below you will find Aishwarya's description of today's activities. Another fantastic day. Our students are shining... from their initiative, to their involvement, to their genuine interactions with the students at Freretown. As teachers, it is very rewarding to see our students 'acting' in this environment. Off on the safari tomorrow...
Aishwarya, Nick, Carola and James's activities all went extremely well and were a hit once again!
From Aishwarya:
Our morning started off with the whole Group going to the school again. We took a slight detour to Mombasa Town so that some of us could withdraw some Kenyan shillings in preparation for the Safari we are going to for the weekend.
I know I speak for everyone who is part of the group when I say, today was another very special day that none of us will forget. It was Jackie, Nick, Carola and me that conducted the plans that were scheduled. I had planned a dance lesson. I had a few dance moves prepared to teach some of the children at the school. Initially, I wasn?t entirely sure if the class would be successful and enjoyable for them. But some of the moves that involved ?butt-shaking?, really made them smile! One of the many things I love about these children in this school, is how much they smile. What I realized today is that all these children, no matter what their age is or what circumstances they are in, they are always smiling. This was a kind of eye-opener for me, personally. The children enjoyed their dance lesson very much. They were very eager to learn the moves and to perform it to the children at the school on our last day here. Even when I had free time, I just wanted to go and spend time with the children. I feel like there is a special bond developing between us. I enjoyed this day thoroughly, from the minute we stepped into the school this morning, until the minute we left the school on the Matatu in the evening, only to have little children waving at us with huge smiles on their faces and running behind our vehicle to see us off for the day. I am sure every single day at the school will be as pleasurable and uniquely exciting until we leave back for The Netherlands.
Regards,
The team.
2 June 2011
Hello everyone,
Just thought we?d send you an account of the last few days.
We?ve agreed with students that they will write descriptions of our experiences. James is the first. On a personal note? I?m so very proud of our students. We could not have asked more from them today...
From James:
Today was our first day at the Victory School in Bombululu. If I had to choose one word to describe it, honestly, I would say amazing. The children are all very happy and friendly and what?s more you can see that they really enjoy their school. Every child we saw had a smile when we came in and everyone was singing and dancing for us and making us feel welcome. We managed to sit in with some of the lessons in which we saw how the teachers still manage to inspire with minimal resources. The lads played football with some of the children and again it was clear to see the enjoyment that their atmosphere brings them.
We also managed to give some of the neediest children new shoes and a teddy bear, with everyone really happy with what they got. It?s a much bigger contrast with our hotel and our lifestyle back home than anyone expected. In the afternoon we went shopping for our supplies. The total came to almost exactly what we raised with the dinner and it?s very pleasing to see the money directly going to a very good cause.
Anna and Leonard were wonderful in their activities today. The whole school joined in for activities that were originally for only one class.
Everyone is enjoying themselves and no one has got sick (yet) and we?re all looking forward to tomorrow.
Sjef: A full battery for my video camera was not even enough to record all these special moments
Nick: I was amazed at the response of Leonard?s rocket activity, from students to teachers.
Job: A guy called me "Big Bunny" and I liked it. The distribution of shoes was a hit and the best ice breaker we could have asked for.
We are looking forward to a full day at the school tomorrow, then off on the safari on Saturday.
We will try to email again tomorrow, otherwise it won?t be able to again until Monday evening.
The team.
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