Tuesday, Feb 23, 2010

After a somewhat restless night, we enjoyed a hot breakfast at 6:45 and were soon on o\ou|r way to the jobsite at 7:30. We had a 30 minute ride to the school we would be working on. It is very simple with only 3 rooms and classes from preschool through grade 6 with about 60 kids. The grounds are very small and very dry and dusty. The children are so happy to see us and look beautiful with their white shirts and navy bottoms. They were getting ready to present some songs and poems and dances for us, which were beautifully done. The principal/directora had been teaching at the school for 20 years and was very enthusiastic and excited to be doing the work she was for the children. She spoke of helping the kids to become all that they could be for their future. The other teachers were alumni. While we waited for supplies, the kids came out for recess and we joined them for an exercise class as well as baseball with a soccer flavour. It was great fun trying to understand their commands and calls. We all had a good laugh. Since we are the first team to work at this school, we have the opportunity to start from scratch. Our supplies arrived and the guys started to dig holes for the foundation walls while the girls tied rebar. We are no longer the pointer/painter sisters, but the twister sisters! We were very thankful for the bit of breeze since the temperature is 37 degrees Celcius. The holes are dug with a pickaxe and had to be 80 cm deep. |VERY hard work! There are 5 hired men as well, who are working along with our guys. The children were done school at 12:30 so the afternoon was a bit quiet. We were served a hot lunch and plenty of fresh cold juice to keep us going. By 4:30 we were all looking forward to our cold showers back at the Nehemiah Centre.