Week 19 at School

Hi All,

My wonderful husband has allowed me to give you an insight into my life at the school. Although not as hectic as the young Pete, it is an adventure all the same.

For those reading the online blog, there is more if you click on the Read more>> button below.

 I had been doing all manner of jobs within the school; I have helped Teacher Mentors get ready for the Child Selection Process. By this I mean Laminating, filing, putting stock and donations away and low and behold actually being creative making learning aids. I have helped in the Accounts section with reminders for sponsorship and as I'm a vivid photographer, taking pics where ever I can. I have had my own little group of knitters for Extra Curricular Activities (ECA's).

Since it was the first time I had ever taught a class of children I discovered that my idea of preparation and a teacher's idea are two entirely different things.  The girls did very well and have produced enough knitting that has been crocheted together by myself so that we will donate it to an orphanage that had been set up by one of the other volunteers.  Next term I plan to do ECA's again but with a much better plan in place.

For 7 Weeks through May and beyond, everyone is needed in one way or another to help with Student Selection.  This is where parents bring their children to the gates of St Jude's from the very early hours of the morning in the hope their child will firstly get past the Kiswahili oral reading test, to go on and do a 30minute written exam.  There is a particular mark that the children have to achieve before they can proceed.  While they wait for the papers to be marked the children need to be entertained, that's where myself and two or three others come in.  We have large baskets of blocks for them to play with or in my case, I would read to them, something like "Hairy McClary from Donaldson's Dairy".  I am very animated and it was just wonderful to see these little faces listening to you with wide eyes and as quiet as mice.  Sometimes we read counting books but we were getting a little too noisy, so we had to count softly.  For all the weeks I helped supervise, there was one little girl who came every week; she passed the reading test but never got the marks on the exam.  We all knew her name and each week we all prayed she would get through but sadly that was not to be.  I think she should have got in on determination but that was probably more her parents.

So once they get through the exam, there is a further list of checks that have to be done to ensure they meet all the criteria required.

I hope I have given you an idea of Student Selection but one thing is for sure, it tears your heart out when we can't accept all those tiny little beautiful faces.