Another busy week

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This week my school had Interhouse Athletics, the rough equivalent of Field Day in American schools, but more. The school population, learners, teachers, staff are randomly divided into the Red, Yellow, and Green teams. Throughout January and into February, there are multiple activities and events to generate points such as participation in a fun run (more points if you place), donating blood, and of course the Interhouse Athletics. Points can also be reduced by poor behavior that results in detention. We had no classes on Wednesday, so everyone could participate in the events at the nearby sports park. My team, the Green team, is in the lead but there are more events culminating in a learner concert this week.

Unfortunately, I will be away for the final tally, attending Reconnect training with the rest of Group48. In addition to teaching my classes and helping with the Interhouse, this week was spent preparing worksheets and activities for my learners while I am away. They are basically on their own in my absence, but I am hopeful they will complete the assignments I prepared for them. Wishful thinking??

Friday finally came and a couple volunteers from the North spent the night with me. Another two were also in town on their way to reconnect so we all had dinner together at my place-chicken and dumplings and brownies for dessert. It was a fun evening and I learn so much when I hang out with the younger volunteers. They have more challenges, not just because some of them have very primitive living conditions, but because they have more pressure from locals. Some locals challenge the men to drink more than they should, sometimes they give unwanted and unpleasant attention to the female volunteers, and of course they encourage them to drink as well. This is not true of all locals, most of the volunteers are developing strong relationships within their community, but I don’t have this pressure at all. There are advantages to being an older volunteer.

All for now with all my love