Thursday 12th February 2015
Got up usual time. No Kubara this
morning- she gave birth to her son last night!! Exciting!!
Got ready for the day, then waited in
the van for ages as Maths hadn't heard that it was time to go. Got to
school and had a tour where we looked around every classroom. I
really like the library- of course!
It was interesting to look
around, and to get a feel for lessons- much of it is very much like a
lecture, with students copying practically word for word from the
board or from a book. As I commented previously, there seems to be
little teaching in thinking- just 'here are the facts'. In addition,
each year is streamed from A to H (I think). Not is there just no
secrecy over who's in a good stream and who's in a bad stream, but
when we were in the classes the teachers seemed keen to tell us-
'This is 9A, they are the best students' or 'This is 8G, you remember
we told you about the streaming, this is a lower class'. It felt
quite a bit like students were being pushed to remember that they're
meant to be good; or made to remember their place. On that note, the
school prefects are almost all from the A and B classes.
More time to look around classes. MW,
GS and I went to English, where they were doing the same lesson we
sat in on yesterday, with the same teacher. However, it was a lower
class- there was far less getting the pupils to write on the board,
and far more of the teacher doing it all for them.
Break time, when we went to the office.
Then more lesson time. AH, BA and I went to English- where they were
learning about prepositions- then a little SES.
During that time, AA did a science
experiment for the science class, which she was super pleased about.
The students rarely- if ever- get to see/do experiments, so it was a
really big thing, and it involved being quite inventive about
equipment etc.! So pleased that that happened :)
After that it was time to go back to
the AMRC. Things started wearing on me a bit- had bad dreams last
night, so was tired anyway, and things got quite overwhelming and
difficult. Sat in the kitchen and read the letter a friend gave me
for when I was feeling rough. That helped a lot.
Then chilled/chatted in the kitchen with MW, AH, SL and AA, which was
nice.
Spent the time we
were back at the AMRC tidying and trying to get some time to myself.
We sorted out the presents for the evening visit, and found out our
groups. AH and I are with MG and WS, with AA as our teacher. Good
group!!
Went
to the school for basketball. AH and I have made a friend called
Fatou.
Played a little basketball- fun and tiring; I actually
tried!- but didn't do very well. Then AH and I started making loom
band bracelets- a mission we shouldn't have started as we now have
countless orders!
Following
the basketball, we were assigned to our hosts for the evening visit-
we had Haddy, the head girl! We walked back to her compound,
which was around half an hour away (I think). Lots of chatter!
When
we got there, we met her family and gave the presents. Then we went
outside, where we played games, sang and danced with the children
from the whole street! Highlights...
- I improvised 10 verses of London Bridge (proud? I think so!)
- as a group, we taught everyone to play Duck Duck Goose, which went down very well
- lots of nursery rhymes as many of the people there knew them
- we did the Hokey Cokey!
- played a Gambian clapping name game
- took part in a Gambian dancing song
- AH and I did an impromptu performance of What Makes You Beautiful
- some of the FUB students did a play for us
- lots of dancing!!
After, we had dinner. Chicken benechin-
it was so good! They also provided bottled water, chocolate milk and
yoghurt. Wow! We were so lucky, and so blessed :)
Left around 9:30, and walked home. The
stars were amazing! We were the first group back; waited up for the
others, and discussed our evenings. Sounds like we definitely had the
best!! Then to bed. Such a good evening.