Everyday Life

Since Easter, life has largely been jogging along in a routine of school, orphanage, and community.  Standard 4 and 7 students are preparing for National Exams and are being ‘tested’ within an inch of themselves!  The pressure is particularly on for Standard 7 as their results will decide their entry to secondary school and in Tanzania, where only 25% of children get a secondary education this is really important.  The present Standard 7 is the first one to go through St. Ignatius’ but they seem to be excelling and have the promise of a brand new Jesuit High School waiting for them if they pass.  It is incredible to witness the hard work of the staff and students – school days from 7:30am–4pm and Saturdays from 7:30–1pm, then there is the homework, which is almost always done...  So different from home! 

I have to say though, I feel really sorry for them with all the constant testing and cramming – not that they seem to mind!  I’ve made a point of taking word searches, games and puzzles for my standard 4s this week though.  The excitement this causes is unbelievable and I’m constantly having kids accost me with finished puzzles, begging for more... 

Lessons at the orphanage have benefitted from the arrival of ‘dress up dolls’ (courtesy of mum) and glossy ‘I Wonder Why?’ type books (courtesy of Uncle Frank).  These have provided opportunities to play (the dolls) but to then introduce the character and describe her outfit in English and to do some basic science complete with funny facts.

We’ve met a lot of very interesting people over the last few weeks.  A friend of ours took us to dinner with her dad who is an MP (he’s held various ministerial positions in the past but is now a back-bencher).  He offered to take us to parliament and sent his driver to collect us after school for the evening session.  They were debating a bill about agriculture of which we understood little except for bits about honey, eggs & foodie type words we’ve learned!  It was interesting to see it in action though – the procedures were incredibly like the House of Commons – right down to the mace.  The sessions are filmed and there was one acutely embarrassing moment  when we became aware of a close up of our white legs beaming out of the big screens – followed swiftly by not-too-well-stifled giggling an numerous  PMs turning round to gaze at us in the balcony!      

In the community, May seems to be the month of birthdays and we started with Erin’s – her celebration at community night was something to behold, with both cake and drink being danced round on heads!  I’m looking forward to the rest of the birthdays and the excuse to bake more cake...