TGIF!

The alarm jarred both Montana and LuRue awake this morning at 6:30am. The other volunteers were already awake, drinking coffee just outside their window.

Mama Tony put out breakfast in time for us to get ready for the walk to school. The classroom situation was more-or-less a repeat of yesterday, with Montana and LuRue teaching the difference between the R and L sounds. They had added a section with “pray” and “play”.  Since there were new and different students for the three different sessions, the same material could be used.

It is interesting to sit in on the teachers’ meeting in the middle of the morning. It is clear that there are politics involved, with the headmaster pointedly remarking that one teacher was working 4 periods per week while others had 24 periods, and all were earning the same salary. The assistant headmaster made a big speech about the importance of speaking only English to the extent of encouraging the students to place a medal around the neck of any teacher who was caught speaking Swahili. He then launched into a long remark in the local dialect. Just as LuRue was reflecting on his words moments before about the medal, he looked straight at LuRue and said “I just needed to say that in our language to make a point”, as if reading her mind.

Their teaching day ended a bit earlier than usual because four members of their team needed to get ready for their safari. They left about 1:00 for the drive to Iringa, then on to Ruaha National Park, a road trip of about 4 hours. Montana and LuRue both agreed that they were glad they were not going…such a long drive for essentially one day of wildlife viewing. Their own safari could not have been any better, so were content to remain behind. Morgan stayed behind…she went a couple of weeks ago with the previous team.

Most of the day and evening was spent in conversation with Morgan, Edward, Mohammed, and Mama Tony, listening to music, or just reflecting.

At 3:45 Montana and LuRue went back to the secondary school for the afternoon hour-long session of conversation & games. Uno was the big favorite again. LuRue got up to take pictures, leaving Montana with about 10 eager students. LuRue asked a passing student if a particular opening was the way to the girls’ dorm. The student took her hand and led her to her room, shared by seven other girls. The student was eager to show her things she had brought from home. Her family lives in Dar es Salaam. LuRue asked if she could come back, next time with Montana and the girls eagerly said yes. Montana is a particular favorite.

During dinner the subject came up and Morgan wants to go also, so Edward suggested that we plan on 10:00 tomorrow morning.

Mama Tony came to let us know when she was ready to make ugali, so we all watched her prepare the “national” dish, taking pictures. At dinner, Mohammed demonstrated how to roll a ball of it in the hand, then scoop up vegetables or meat. It is very bland as it is made from only cornflower and water, but goes with any taste.

A quiet night here without all the banter of the other team members.