Had a more leisurely start as the driver decided we didn't need to leave as early as yesterday. However, it still took three trips to the taxi to carry all of the materials and supplies that we had brought for the teachers.
This time, when we arrived the gate was open and by 9:00 there were 12 people. After I had set all of my stuff out, we sang a chorus, and then I started the session on Numeracy with some maths games including "Buzz" and "Magic 11" played standing in a circle so others could join in as they arrived. By the time they returned to their seats there were about 30 people there. Played lots of games with 10s frames and 100 charts using stones that I had gathered instead of counters, until I stopped for morning tea as requested at 10:30. (Goodness knows why - this is Africa). Of course, morning tea was not ready, so we sang for a bit, then Ben spoke, we sang some more, then Pastor William spoke, we had a question time, and finally a group photo. Eventually, at about 11:30, morning tea was ready so we had a break.
When we resumed, we used the number cards for lots more games such as Fish, Snap, Memory and Bingo - many of the games were the same as yesterday but with a focus on numbers. Once again there was a high level of engagement, and lots of laughing and cheering. About 1:00 I summarised the two days and finished up as agreed. (Goodness knows why - this is Africa) Of course, nothing was ready and William wasn't there, so we sang again, and had a general question time, then I got the students to complete an evaluation.
Eventually William returned with the Christmas parcels, so I was able to present the certificates, which is really what they had come to get, and have a photo with each of the recipients. Then, as the reigning dignitary, I got to present all the Christmas boxes that had been prepared for everyone from funds raised by Syndal South teaching staff and Syndal Baptist families, and had yet another photo with each of the recipients. They were very well received - the boxes that is, not the photos. Thanks to everyone who contributed to their cost. It was another very satisfying session, and I had a sore face from smiling so much.
Finally finished at 2:30, and distributed all the books and aids to the various schools, and headed off in a taxi to the Giraffe sanctuary with Jane, the head teacher at Gatwikira Primary, her son Timothy, and Chester, Jane's assistant. It was really a Christmas present to them for all of the hard work that they do, as they had never been able to afford to go themselves. We got up close and personal with some Rothschild giraffes, and fed them special pellets by hand. The tongues really are amazing. Jane and Chester seemed to really enjoy it, though Timothy was very scared being only 3 years old. The number of Rothschilds in the world had got down to about 130 some 10 years back, but has now rebounded to about 1000.
We also got to see 3 large tortoises which were about 18 inches across. You measure their age by counting the lines on their shell - a bit like counting my wrinkles I suppose. Left after about an hour, and had a good chat to Jane on the way back in the taxi. She is very excited about the possibility of coming to Australia with a group from Dagoretti next March, and seeing how teaching is done at Syndal South.
After dropping them all off, it was back to the lodge for a rest and a shower, then a special Christmas Eve Dinner with other travelers. The meal included turkey, ham, beef, gravy, roast vegetables, several salads, and dessert of sticky toffee pudding and tropical fruit pavlova. We had all the trimmings and decorations, even bonbons on the table, and lots of traditional Christmas music. A really fun night celebrated with people from Ireland, Germany, England, NZ, USA and even two girls from Canarvon in Western Australia who wanted to go to an authentic African church for Christmas the next day.
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