Wednesday May 14, 2014

Wednesday May 14, 2014

Today was really fun.  It was a “we love you” type of day and some days, that is very much needed.  We went to the Ercom School of Excellence run by Richards brother and wife, Eric and Comfort.  It is a primary school with over 300 students.  The kids here are well disciplined and learn great subjects but they miss out on arts and crafts time due to lack of resources.  So we brought suitcases full of the essentials. 

We all divided up into the 9 different classrooms and went to work.  I was with Alicia and Ami working with the kindergarten kids.  We colored and decorated paper plates and hung them up around the classroom.  Then we made “coodie cathcers” with some of the older kids and surprisingly I think the teacher enjoyed it more. 

We had several other crafts going for the other classrooms but the incredible thing were these kids.  They were so excited for us to come.  As we visited each classroom they recited songs or memorized text from story books.  They were obedient, stood as we walked in, stand to ask questions, it was amazing. 

Since they don’t do crafts often it was really interesting to watch them attempt to do it.  With the older kids (9-13 years) we were having them fold papers into the catchers.  At one point they had to cut off an extra length of paper.  These kids took precious time to cut the paper and make sure the line was straight; watching this process made me understand that this isn’t a common thing for them.  Even some of the simplest folds were difficult for them to do.  But they were so grateful for the time we spend with them. 

The kids got so excited with us around.  The sound from their cheers and screams was deafening and so much fun.  We ended crafts around lunchtime so we all filtered into the court yard and had a chance to play with the kids.  All ages were hugging us, climbing on us, smiling at us, wanting us to touch their heads or compliment their art, they wanted us to play games with us and just even smile at them.  You would have thought they had never had visitors.  They were so happy. 

Once we left the school we took a suitcase full of school supplies to another primary school.  Last year the bus broke down and the school master from this place was gracious enough to fill his bus up with last years group and take them where they needed to go for that day.  It return we surprised the school with the supplies.  They were extremely grateful. 

We then had to stop at “the shop” to have the bumper repaired and installed back onto the bus.   This was a long…2 hour process and nobody complained.  I love that.  We all just dealt with it.  We got home and people got to see their dresses and we got to see our shirts and pants that the tailor made.  They were great. 

Today was a good one.  The kids were the best part.  They loved us the second we got in.  I have missed all the hugs from little humans at home so this was a nice treat.  It feels good to make them laugh and smile.