Wednesday, 14 January 2009

“When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable.” Clifton Fadiman

Yesterday was a very busy day. We began with our morning meeting. We wrote our goals and the characteristics of an effective team.

Next, we went to the clinic where Dr. Godlove showed us the equipment and rooms. Judy and Mary had lots of questions and seem eager to get to work.

We went to the Secondary School where we met Aidan, the acting headmaster, and Edward the school counselor. They took us on a tour of the school, classrooms, dormitories, kitchen and health clinic. We ended in the faculty room where Edward explained the school system and answered questions. We walked back to the Mission House by way of the soccer field.

After lunch, Mohamed gave us a Kiswahili lesson. He gave us some basic phrases and numbers and translated some necessary phrases like elephant poop.

Our next foray took us to the kindergarten building and met some people learning English. We then went to the primary school where we met with Barabas, the headmaster. He answered more questions about the school system and welcomed us to his school.

We walked across half of Pommern to the Catholic Church, greeting people along the way with intrepid volunteers trying out their new Kiswahili phrases. At the Catholic Church we saw the Kindergarten, an Internet outpost and the nursery where they grow seedling for reforestation. Joana met a girl her own age and they were instant friends.

On the way back to the Mission House it started to rain so we hurried home. Haran had given us a good tour of the village and helpful information about places to buy snacks and drinks.
After dinner we got our work assignments. Joana will go to the kindergarten; Erin and I will work in the English department at the secondary school. Judy and Mary will be at the clinic, Don will teach chemistry with Reuben at the secondary school. Ha, Hoe, Dave and Matt will demolish the kitchen at the secondary school. Sharon will work with Pastor Sagga.

It was a very eventful day.

Mickey