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Monday, February 3, 2020
Sunday, February 2, 2020
Update 15
Terri & Delciu picked us up & we headed to a spot where we could buy plants for SH#3. Got them but when we tried to dig, we hit cement. Plan B. Searched for old tires to use as planter successfully. Not that house looks even more like a home. We stopped at their local McD (NOT) for hamburgers & ate them at the factory. Luckily William was hungry for half of mine. Next we headed to visit Corrie, a Dutch lady who runs the Iris base for 100+ orphans...especially those with health needs... in Matola. Finally, in complete opposite end of the ring, we stopped to buy a few groceries at a new shopping mall that just opened. Very modern with aisles of stocked shelves. Terri is thrilled that the mall parking lot was half full and prays the middle class of Mozambique will be able to keep it open! By 5 we were in the pool again and 6:30 on our way out to dinner...we wanted to thank the Larsons. It was one of those "out of reality" times. We walked out of the world of poverty & into the world of wealth. Outside the hundreds of thrown together stalls selling dusty odds & ends and kids played in the dirt while moms with babies tied to their backs sweated. Inside a well decorated, large room with wine bottles artistically displayed & unique chandeliers lighted up tables covered with fresh linen & cloth napkins. Olive, tuna spread & breads were set before us as a bottle of wine/Coke Zero was served. We ordered steak & fish and gorged on the huge portions deliciously prepared and elegantly presented. Though we were all full, we couldn't turn down the delicious desserts staring at us from behind the sparkling refrigerated display case. Total bill for the five of us—$125.
And then we stepped out and back into how the majority of Mozambique is like...
Next a.m. we were packed & Terri dropped us off at the factory. After a warm goodbye, she left but I know we'll stay in touch. Don gave us a clearer & more detailed presentation of what he'd like to do with God's help: ten mini factories in the villages where cashews are grown and increase the size of the Matola factory ten fold. This would benefit thousands giving jobs to villagers & fair prices to the farmers. He has the vision, the knowledge, the energy...but is waiting for the funding. Got an extra million???
Our ride pulled up just as Don finished ending our visit. So off we went to our next adventure.
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And then we stepped out and back into how the majority of Mozambique is like...
Next a.m. we were packed & Terri dropped us off at the factory. After a warm goodbye, she left but I know we'll stay in touch. Don gave us a clearer & more detailed presentation of what he'd like to do with God's help: ten mini factories in the villages where cashews are grown and increase the size of the Matola factory ten fold. This would benefit thousands giving jobs to villagers & fair prices to the farmers. He has the vision, the knowledge, the energy...but is waiting for the funding. Got an extra million???
Our ride pulled up just as Don finished ending our visit. So off we went to our next adventure.
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Update 16
We're now living in a compound in Zimpeto which is home to about 200 orphans and quite a large staff. It's part of the Iris Ministry which has many homes like this in Africa. (Corrie's was one). Terri had recommended this as a good place to spend time.
We were given a thorough orientation which included a tour of the buildings: several girl or boy dorms, a baby room, disabled kids dorm, medical clinic, volunteers dorm & meeting hall, kitchen/dining room aka church on Sunday and also a school. The school, medical clinic & church are open to the community.
Brandi, the hospitality Director emphasized the steps Iris takes to try to keep kids with their family...even offering free food and/or medicines.
Of course, the baby room is my favorite and my first and last stop each day. Yesterday, the 2-5 year olds were playing in a pool barely big enough to hold all of them & the 3 littlest ones were splashing in a tiny pool. So fun to watch the how joyful & cool they were! I also visit the girls dorm daily playing games, putting together puzzles, playing London Bridges and reading books. I have to take a deep breathe & say a prayer before visiting the disable kids. Nine kids, most with extremes limitations rock & smile as I caress them, talk to them and encourage them to play with a toy. I'll never understand.
Rog carries balloons & a game and the young boys gladly join in. He also has a soft spot for one little 7-9 month old guy with huge eyes who always crawls to you when you walk in!
We are living in a small room that is a hot box but thankfully we have two fans since there are no other volunteers here. We are mostly fixing our own food as we'd made a run to the grocery store our first day here. Rog eats with the kids sometime but rice & beans gets old especially when we have fresh fruit, cz, eggs, pb & lots of bread...Rog bought 8 loaves...and Coke Zero in a cold frig!
Evenings are slow as the kids watch movies & the mosquitoes take over. It's hard to go to sleep in our hot room but a cold shower & both fans help a lot! Once you crawl under the mosquito net, you don't want to get out!
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We were given a thorough orientation which included a tour of the buildings: several girl or boy dorms, a baby room, disabled kids dorm, medical clinic, volunteers dorm & meeting hall, kitchen/dining room aka church on Sunday and also a school. The school, medical clinic & church are open to the community.
Brandi, the hospitality Director emphasized the steps Iris takes to try to keep kids with their family...even offering free food and/or medicines.
Of course, the baby room is my favorite and my first and last stop each day. Yesterday, the 2-5 year olds were playing in a pool barely big enough to hold all of them & the 3 littlest ones were splashing in a tiny pool. So fun to watch the how joyful & cool they were! I also visit the girls dorm daily playing games, putting together puzzles, playing London Bridges and reading books. I have to take a deep breathe & say a prayer before visiting the disable kids. Nine kids, most with extremes limitations rock & smile as I caress them, talk to them and encourage them to play with a toy. I'll never understand.
Rog carries balloons & a game and the young boys gladly join in. He also has a soft spot for one little 7-9 month old guy with huge eyes who always crawls to you when you walk in!
We are living in a small room that is a hot box but thankfully we have two fans since there are no other volunteers here. We are mostly fixing our own food as we'd made a run to the grocery store our first day here. Rog eats with the kids sometime but rice & beans gets old especially when we have fresh fruit, cz, eggs, pb & lots of bread...Rog bought 8 loaves...and Coke Zero in a cold frig!
Evenings are slow as the kids watch movies & the mosquitoes take over. It's hard to go to sleep in our hot room but a cold shower & both fans help a lot! Once you crawl under the mosquito net, you don't want to get out!
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Friday, January 31, 2020
Update 14
How do I explain how we know Terri & Don Larson? To make a long story short, internet searching last year, I somehow came across their story. Don was a big wig working for Nestles, came to Mozambique to check out where Nestle was getting their cashews & was struck by the conditions of the almost farmers & how little Nestle paid them for their cashews. He returned to US & dug into his personal connection with God. Guess what God directed him to do?? Sell all his toys & house and move his family to Mozambique to set up a cashew business (The Sunshine Nut Co.) that would provide more $$ for the farmer and jobs for others. He also vowed to give 90% of the profits toward improving the community. WOW! I was so impressed that I wrote to them & they wrote back! Soon Terri & I were email buddies. Though we ended up in Egypt last year, Terri & I stayed connected. In March, Cyclone Idai hit Mozambique. When B & J said they wanted to go far away to place they'd never go again, I'd just heard All Hands & Hearts was going to open a base in Mozambique . Bingo. God always opens a door for us!
So here we are spending days with Terri & don & their son, William. We chatted freely over pizza the first night. The next morning, Terri & Delciu (local who helps her with everything) picked us up & we headed to out to see the 3 homes the Sunshine Foundation has purchased. At each home, they have hired a local woman (also in need of help) and ask them to seek out the neediest of the needy young children. They then live together creating a caring family.
As we pulled up to the first home, a gaggle of kids met us. Delciu had them line up. Rog & I scooped cashew pieces (rejects at the factory) into a small bag & passed them out to over 100 happy little ones! What a heathy treat! The kids in the 1st home were sitting quietly anxiously waiting for us. Today was a very special day! Each of the 5 year olds (in all 3 homes) got a book bag filled with crayons, pencils, ruler, erasers & a notebook and ta da...their brand new first school uniform!! Their eyes sparkled! After lots of hugs & photos, we headed to home #2 & home #3 passing out their new treasured backpacks & uniforms. At home #3, the parents had come and they clapped & were as excited as the kids. These parents oils not have had the $$ to buy the uniforms & backpack & therefore their child would not be able to go to school.
The Sunshine Homes had been nurturing their child for 3-5 years meeting their needs while the parents scratched out a meager living. These children had truly been given rich soil & solid foundation allowing them the best chance to bloom someday! It gave me goosebumps to see how the Larson's love & hard work made it possible!
We swung by the factory and did a quick tour before getting dropped off at our hotel where we quickly jumped into the pool to cool off.
Don picked us up at 6:30 and we spent another evening sharing stories. Don grilled chicken & Terri had made some delicious Parmesan potatoes & a bean salad.
How luck are we to spend time with people who've lived in Mozambique for 7 years and could fill us with information about this country & its people!
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So here we are spending days with Terri & don & their son, William. We chatted freely over pizza the first night. The next morning, Terri & Delciu (local who helps her with everything) picked us up & we headed to out to see the 3 homes the Sunshine Foundation has purchased. At each home, they have hired a local woman (also in need of help) and ask them to seek out the neediest of the needy young children. They then live together creating a caring family.
As we pulled up to the first home, a gaggle of kids met us. Delciu had them line up. Rog & I scooped cashew pieces (rejects at the factory) into a small bag & passed them out to over 100 happy little ones! What a heathy treat! The kids in the 1st home were sitting quietly anxiously waiting for us. Today was a very special day! Each of the 5 year olds (in all 3 homes) got a book bag filled with crayons, pencils, ruler, erasers & a notebook and ta da...their brand new first school uniform!! Their eyes sparkled! After lots of hugs & photos, we headed to home #2 & home #3 passing out their new treasured backpacks & uniforms. At home #3, the parents had come and they clapped & were as excited as the kids. These parents oils not have had the $$ to buy the uniforms & backpack & therefore their child would not be able to go to school.
The Sunshine Homes had been nurturing their child for 3-5 years meeting their needs while the parents scratched out a meager living. These children had truly been given rich soil & solid foundation allowing them the best chance to bloom someday! It gave me goosebumps to see how the Larson's love & hard work made it possible!
We swung by the factory and did a quick tour before getting dropped off at our hotel where we quickly jumped into the pool to cool off.
Don picked us up at 6:30 and we spent another evening sharing stories. Don grilled chicken & Terri had made some delicious Parmesan potatoes & a bean salad.
How luck are we to spend time with people who've lived in Mozambique for 7 years and could fill us with information about this country & its people!
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Update 12
Our two glorious days in the bush ended when Goodman met us as we left the park & took us on a almost three hour ride to our hut in Mozambique on the Indian Ocean on one side & a river on the other. Sound gorgeous?? Not. The "toll road" was worse than most roads in Mozambique which says a lot. Our hut was "well used" and showed lots of water damage...but it had air conditioning & a frig. And since it was about 100F that was good.
We were hungry so we headed to the restaurant. I ordered shrimp...which was a bit gritty and the boys got chicken. Jen was too hot to eat. Mosquitoes invaded us just as we started to eat so we finished ASAP & headed back to our hut (or shift house as Jen calls it)...and crashed.
Unfortunately, Ben woke up feeling crappy. The wind was whipping & waves crashing both on the river & ocean side. We all just laid around til. 10. Then we covered our eyes & lowered our heads to make our way to the restaurant/veranda area. No one was hungry so we just got drinks Cokes & beer & bought a loaf of fresh bread. We were the only ones at the hotel so it was like our own private place. We played a couple games of euchre but even a win didn't perk Ben up. About noon,he took a Capri & headed back to the room. Rog & Jen played Yahtzee & I sat by the pool & did some writing.
By now we all assumed Ben had food poisoning so no one dared eat in the restaurant. So we bought more bread, & opened a jar of peanut butter. Then Jen & I went for a long beach walk stopping to watch the red crabs scramble and look for shells. The waves were gigantic & the sand whipped across our legs. About sunset, we ate more PJ & bread & all went to bed early...hoping Ben would be better in the a.m.
Woke up next day to a calm ocean, blue skies & a smiling Ben. We savored a few more hours on the beach watching fishermen in their small bamboo, handmade boats throw out & retrieve their nets. A few walked by with bamboo fishing spears.
We enjoyed the last of our bread with PJ and some granola bars. Packed up & several lady waitstaff showed up to carry our luggage...on their heads!! Luckily our taxi was waiting for us when we got to the veranda.
Our taxi driver spoke good English & conversed freely with us as we slowly inched our way navigating the bumpy road. He talked about corruption in Mozambique and how the Chinese were building most everything using their own labor & crappy material.
When we got to the airport, Jen did a bit of last minute shopping & then we ate a delicious lunch. It was difficult to say goodbye to B & J. We'd so cherished the time & experience we'd shared with them. A few tears & long hugs & then we got into a taxi & headed for Matola to meet the Larsons & they headed home to be with their kids.
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We were hungry so we headed to the restaurant. I ordered shrimp...which was a bit gritty and the boys got chicken. Jen was too hot to eat. Mosquitoes invaded us just as we started to eat so we finished ASAP & headed back to our hut (or shift house as Jen calls it)...and crashed.
Unfortunately, Ben woke up feeling crappy. The wind was whipping & waves crashing both on the river & ocean side. We all just laid around til. 10. Then we covered our eyes & lowered our heads to make our way to the restaurant/veranda area. No one was hungry so we just got drinks Cokes & beer & bought a loaf of fresh bread. We were the only ones at the hotel so it was like our own private place. We played a couple games of euchre but even a win didn't perk Ben up. About noon,he took a Capri & headed back to the room. Rog & Jen played Yahtzee & I sat by the pool & did some writing.
By now we all assumed Ben had food poisoning so no one dared eat in the restaurant. So we bought more bread, & opened a jar of peanut butter. Then Jen & I went for a long beach walk stopping to watch the red crabs scramble and look for shells. The waves were gigantic & the sand whipped across our legs. About sunset, we ate more PJ & bread & all went to bed early...hoping Ben would be better in the a.m.
Woke up next day to a calm ocean, blue skies & a smiling Ben. We savored a few more hours on the beach watching fishermen in their small bamboo, handmade boats throw out & retrieve their nets. A few walked by with bamboo fishing spears.
We enjoyed the last of our bread with PJ and some granola bars. Packed up & several lady waitstaff showed up to carry our luggage...on their heads!! Luckily our taxi was waiting for us when we got to the veranda.
Our taxi driver spoke good English & conversed freely with us as we slowly inched our way navigating the bumpy road. He talked about corruption in Mozambique and how the Chinese were building most everything using their own labor & crappy material.
When we got to the airport, Jen did a bit of last minute shopping & then we ate a delicious lunch. It was difficult to say goodbye to B & J. We'd so cherished the time & experience we'd shared with them. A few tears & long hugs & then we got into a taxi & headed for Matola to meet the Larsons & they headed home to be with their kids.
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Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Monday, January 27, 2020
Update 11
When we landed in Maputo, our ride, Goodman was waiting for us. We climbed into his air conditioned van and headed for Kruger National Park in South Africa—about a 3 hour drive. I'd worried about getting into & out of SA without a visa but in the end, both turned out to be no big deal & didn't even cost us $$!
We stayed at the Elephant Lode where the roof was made of grass, monkeys played in the yard & elephants were grazing near by. Delightful! At 5:30 a.m., our safari guide, Lynne met us & we headed into the park. Lynne is SAfrican and made her first safari at the age of 2 in 1953. Kruger was a part of her and this trip was especially sentimental as it would be her last one before moving to Scotland. She was an expert in finding the animals. Think of the Magic School Bus series with our own Mrs. Frizzle at the wheel! We spent two days & covered a lot of ground but the park seems endless as you scan the horizon. Kruger is 14 million acres & has been a park since 1926. The animals don't even blink when you get close. We watched the baboons frolicking in the trees & river, the elephants & water buffaloes wallow in the mud, the grunting hippos bob up & down while the guys drank coffee & we watched the sunrise, the zebras & giraffes hug each other, the warthog lovingly shoo her babies into her den & then back in so her husk would protect them. There were birds of unique colors some with amazing tails & I think, six types of eagles perched in "The Bush."
Really, the name says it all. Small shrubs, tall grass and a variety of trees cover most the area making it easy for the animals to find food & cover. We saw lions so clearly one minutes and the next, they had disappeared. Only the sand rivers were open areas...in dry season the animals will dig there & find water below. Rog & I did a safari in Kenya ten years ago. There the vegetation much more scarce with an occasional tree so it was much different. I'd go on another one in a heartbeat! To spot & watch animals in their natural habitat is a spectacular experience!
B & J were also awed as we bounced about in our open Jeep feel like we were as close as possible to the animals. I can't help but think of how huge some of the animals are yet they don't need houses, cars, stores etc. And besides the elephant (18,000 in the park) that kill lots of trees by eating all the bark, the animals don't cause damage to our earth. Though I must say, may places it smelt like a barn yard...especially where the rhino dug his poop hole & his females made a circle of poop around it!
Picture that & imagine the smell!!
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We stayed at the Elephant Lode where the roof was made of grass, monkeys played in the yard & elephants were grazing near by. Delightful! At 5:30 a.m., our safari guide, Lynne met us & we headed into the park. Lynne is SAfrican and made her first safari at the age of 2 in 1953. Kruger was a part of her and this trip was especially sentimental as it would be her last one before moving to Scotland. She was an expert in finding the animals. Think of the Magic School Bus series with our own Mrs. Frizzle at the wheel! We spent two days & covered a lot of ground but the park seems endless as you scan the horizon. Kruger is 14 million acres & has been a park since 1926. The animals don't even blink when you get close. We watched the baboons frolicking in the trees & river, the elephants & water buffaloes wallow in the mud, the grunting hippos bob up & down while the guys drank coffee & we watched the sunrise, the zebras & giraffes hug each other, the warthog lovingly shoo her babies into her den & then back in so her husk would protect them. There were birds of unique colors some with amazing tails & I think, six types of eagles perched in "The Bush."
Really, the name says it all. Small shrubs, tall grass and a variety of trees cover most the area making it easy for the animals to find food & cover. We saw lions so clearly one minutes and the next, they had disappeared. Only the sand rivers were open areas...in dry season the animals will dig there & find water below. Rog & I did a safari in Kenya ten years ago. There the vegetation much more scarce with an occasional tree so it was much different. I'd go on another one in a heartbeat! To spot & watch animals in their natural habitat is a spectacular experience!
B & J were also awed as we bounced about in our open Jeep feel like we were as close as possible to the animals. I can't help but think of how huge some of the animals are yet they don't need houses, cars, stores etc. And besides the elephant (18,000 in the park) that kill lots of trees by eating all the bark, the animals don't cause damage to our earth. Though I must say, may places it smelt like a barn yard...especially where the rhino dug his poop hole & his females made a circle of poop around it!
Picture that & imagine the smell!!
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Update 9
My birthday! The 11th year in 11 different countries. I got lots of attention: balloons, signs, chocolate wafer cookies, white chocolate bar and Coke Zero! It was an aha moment when I realized I was the oldest person on base. At the work site, Ben took my shovel away & I got the easier jobs working under shade. I cut rubber inter tubes (actually made in USA) so they could line the wood post. So Ben did a lot of shoving, Rog continued to pound on strappings and Jen got to help finish up the temporary school and put the desk back in it. The kids hanging around were encouraged to come sit in them. An unforgettable moment!
At the evening meeting, since we'd all posted the fund raising page Ben helped design and we raised over $1000 dollars for AHAH—we were awarded a AHAH sweatshirt. Jen had so wanted it and was thrilled when she got it! She quickly put it on (in spite of the 90+ temp) as every cheered. She was over the moon excited! It was our last meeting, so we were asked to speak. Rog talked about how he loved being around such good people doing good work. Ben talked about how impressed he was with AHAH & all the volunteers. Jen & I mostly cried.
Last meeting note was to sing Happy Birthday to me.
After the meeting, we jumped in the van & went into town to play basketball with the locals. B & J played while R & I cheered. An intense game! When we got back, they had a birthday cake...well some banana muffin like balls...waiting & sang another round of Happy Birthday. Then I headed to my mosquito netted bunk bed to read my Facebook birthday wishes.
Now how's that for a birthday!
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At the evening meeting, since we'd all posted the fund raising page Ben helped design and we raised over $1000 dollars for AHAH—we were awarded a AHAH sweatshirt. Jen had so wanted it and was thrilled when she got it! She quickly put it on (in spite of the 90+ temp) as every cheered. She was over the moon excited! It was our last meeting, so we were asked to speak. Rog talked about how he loved being around such good people doing good work. Ben talked about how impressed he was with AHAH & all the volunteers. Jen & I mostly cried.
Last meeting note was to sing Happy Birthday to me.
After the meeting, we jumped in the van & went into town to play basketball with the locals. B & J played while R & I cheered. An intense game! When we got back, they had a birthday cake...well some banana muffin like balls...waiting & sang another round of Happy Birthday. Then I headed to my mosquito netted bunk bed to read my Facebook birthday wishes.
Now how's that for a birthday!
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Update 8
Last night, B & J popped corn to celebrate my upcoming birthday which every one devoured as crazy Scott ran a Trivia Competition. He's so full of fun! Yesterday he declared it was Nat'l Hug Day & stood by the dinner line with a sign describing a variety of hugs and requiring everyone to oblige.
Ben helped the staff develop a fund raiser so Tiana helped me set that up and AHAH Mozambique will benefit. Donations are already coming in so thanks to our great supporters!! Staff here is fabulous. Emille (from Traverse City) answers all our questions before & after arrival & made our transportation arrangements. She also keeps base clean along with a few alternating volunteers. Jonny, head director, stays so calm & is so friendly. Cat, Jazz, Monique and our old friend from Philippines, Ryan are project leaders. They are so knowledgeable & encouraging all the while they keep about 15 volunteers & around 8 hired locals working. And Tiana—truly the energizer bunny who offers evening entertainment as well as Portuguese lessons. Tonight many are playing Portuguese bingo. It's kinda like being at camp...a work camp.
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Ben helped the staff develop a fund raiser so Tiana helped me set that up and AHAH Mozambique will benefit. Donations are already coming in so thanks to our great supporters!! Staff here is fabulous. Emille (from Traverse City) answers all our questions before & after arrival & made our transportation arrangements. She also keeps base clean along with a few alternating volunteers. Jonny, head director, stays so calm & is so friendly. Cat, Jazz, Monique and our old friend from Philippines, Ryan are project leaders. They are so knowledgeable & encouraging all the while they keep about 15 volunteers & around 8 hired locals working. And Tiana—truly the energizer bunny who offers evening entertainment as well as Portuguese lessons. Tonight many are playing Portuguese bingo. It's kinda like being at camp...a work camp.
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Update 10
Packed up this a.m. leaving behind things we'd not need once we leave here which meant we could leave behind one empty suitcase. We completed our exit questionnaires & gave a list of all who'd donated to our fund raising page so each would have their name put on a brick. (So thankful to them!!). Then we stood by the door along with 6 others who were also leaving today and got hugs from everyone as they left for the work sites. It's strange how 9 days of living, working & sleeping so closely together ...in such heat...can form such bonds. Yup, there were lots of tears!
So 10 of us loaded into the van & headed for the airport where we feasted on cheese sandwiches & potato chips...and more chips (aka French fries—misunderstanding) and COLD Coke Zero & beer. So refreshing!!
As we sat waiting for our flight, we realized that not once had we heard anyone be cross to anyone. Actually we didn't see any kids fighting or getting yelled at either.
Like so many times on these trips, my heart feels happy & my life's attitude has been adjusted.
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So 10 of us loaded into the van & headed for the airport where we feasted on cheese sandwiches & potato chips...and more chips (aka French fries—misunderstanding) and COLD Coke Zero & beer. So refreshing!!
As we sat waiting for our flight, we realized that not once had we heard anyone be cross to anyone. Actually we didn't see any kids fighting or getting yelled at either.
Like so many times on these trips, my heart feels happy & my life's attitude has been adjusted.
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Update 13
Animals we spotted on our safari:
Zebra
Impala
Owl
Eagles*
Wildebeest
Elephant
Hyaena
Giraffe
Hippo
Heron*
Monkey
Baboon
Water buffalo
Stork
Warthog
Kudu
Lion
Bird*
*variety of species
Most we saw many times & in large groups.
And I'm sure I forgot a couple....
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Zebra
Impala
Owl
Eagles*
Wildebeest
Elephant
Hyaena
Giraffe
Hippo
Heron*
Monkey
Baboon
Water buffalo
Stork
Warthog
Kudu
Lion
Bird*
*variety of species
Most we saw many times & in large groups.
And I'm sure I forgot a couple....
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Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Update 7
I've lost count of days. They are so full and overflow into the next day quickly. I think I left off on Sunday..our day off. We all slept in a bit then R & B went to the nearby village and picked up eggs & bread for our breakfast. Rain clouds burst open and didn't quit for most the day. Lightening forced us to hole up inside a room where 5-6 of us worked on a puzzle, some played Jenga & others read. No electricity made all of that a bit tough but we had solar lights...and each other. When the lightening finally stopped...the games did not. Scrabble, Yahtzee, Farkle & cards were added. Even played Brazilian Uno—a game that went on for a very loooong time!
Monday was back to work...in the mud. We did pretty much the same as last week only it was cooler thanks to the light rain on and off all day. Tuesday & Wed, I went to the site Rog has been working at. That site is in the center of a small community and I worked near the water pump so there was lots of activity. I loved the opportunity to play with the kids a copy cat game, practice counting in English and admiring the toys they showed me: a motorcycle & rider made out of clay, a boat made of a watermelon shell, a pull toy with squished pop cans for wheels & tic tac toe using can lids. The kids laughed so freely as they played in the mud puddles. Several came up wanting to dance...so I did...during breaks. Rog has been building a temporary building to use as the school until the real one is done. He splits the bamboo...makes him feel real African...and I & another volunteer nail it up to make the walls. Ben continues to be on the roof doing our kings & scrapings. Jen worked on sanding & painting the desk. Thursday we did a switch so B & J went to Site 2. Ben was still on the roof and Jen took over splitting & nailing up bamboo. Rog was up on the roof while I got stuck shoveling gravel into a wheelbarrow & dumping it into the huge pot holes our van keeps getting suck in. Eric, a character from Washington state, says we should collect toll $$ now. (Only paved road around here was built by the Chinese & they collect a toll.)
I finally suggested that when the next truck comes in, after we unload the bricks, we fill it with gravel & then have a few throw it off the back as they drive down the road. It worked!!
Was so happy to not have to fill anymore wheelbarrows! We do sleep well...8 or so to a room...to the sound of frogs, crickets & a few snorers. I wear a snore strip to keep mine to a minimum. Rog wears duct tape!
Who knew that'd work??
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Monday was back to work...in the mud. We did pretty much the same as last week only it was cooler thanks to the light rain on and off all day. Tuesday & Wed, I went to the site Rog has been working at. That site is in the center of a small community and I worked near the water pump so there was lots of activity. I loved the opportunity to play with the kids a copy cat game, practice counting in English and admiring the toys they showed me: a motorcycle & rider made out of clay, a boat made of a watermelon shell, a pull toy with squished pop cans for wheels & tic tac toe using can lids. The kids laughed so freely as they played in the mud puddles. Several came up wanting to dance...so I did...during breaks. Rog has been building a temporary building to use as the school until the real one is done. He splits the bamboo...makes him feel real African...and I & another volunteer nail it up to make the walls. Ben continues to be on the roof doing our kings & scrapings. Jen worked on sanding & painting the desk. Thursday we did a switch so B & J went to Site 2. Ben was still on the roof and Jen took over splitting & nailing up bamboo. Rog was up on the roof while I got stuck shoveling gravel into a wheelbarrow & dumping it into the huge pot holes our van keeps getting suck in. Eric, a character from Washington state, says we should collect toll $$ now. (Only paved road around here was built by the Chinese & they collect a toll.)
I finally suggested that when the next truck comes in, after we unload the bricks, we fill it with gravel & then have a few throw it off the back as they drive down the road. It worked!!
Was so happy to not have to fill anymore wheelbarrows! We do sleep well...8 or so to a room...to the sound of frogs, crickets & a few snorers. I wear a snore strip to keep mine to a minimum. Rog wears duct tape!
Who knew that'd work??
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