Week 2
Good afternoon from Nairobi
I have just come back from experiencing peak hour transport in the city..( I think I will never complain about Melbourne's public transport system again... actually yeah I will!)
Well on Monday we had an extra few helpers, Coachy (Adam), Dave and Hayley came along for the day to help out at the school. The Headmaster was rapt to see even more support for the school and we went into each of the classrooms so the 'new' people could be introduced and for them to meet the students. We all then split up into our classes, after we went to each class the Headmaster asked the students who they wanted to teach them and they all wanted Hayley..
It was cool to be split between the classes, Coachy had the job of teaching Maths to Grade 4s. By all reports, he said they were attentive for about 5 minutes before they started talking and throwing pens.. After the break, I organised with the teachers to take the Grade 4-6 to the sporting field to play a game of soccer for the boys. The girls had frisbees and skipping ropes that were donated by an American company.
Unfortunately, the children dont play sport on 'fields' very often as its a 30 minute walk to get to the dirt field. The walk itself is quite amazing as it gives you a great view of Kibera and shows the sheer size of this slum. We split the boys into teams, Coachy was on one and I was on the other.. lets just say we were the Japan as we scored the first goal and they returned with 4 of their own.. Coachy and the rest of his team were giving it to me as well.. (I think the Socceroos players have no worries about me taking their spot with the skill or lack of I was showing on the soccer pitch... An 8 year kid made me look very stupid..)
After soccer we went back to the old school for a traditional African meal.. the food here is really grown on me here..I will need to get the receipe so I can make it when I get home.
After lunch, we all went to the local pub to watch the big game.. well what can I say that hasnt been said in the papers back home.. it was absolute magic and we made sure the whole pub knew who we were supporting.. (I think I made the big call to everyone at the pub - 'Bring on Brazil')
Today, we had another day of teaching in the morning. (I was also talking up how good Australia were last night as well to all the students) I think they were surprised by our form after the 'form' I was showing on the pitch. After lunch I had a meeting with a Manager from Food for Hungry International as I was keen to learn more about the food shortage issues that are currently facing East and North East Africa. Nairobi is the home of NGOs in Africa. She was so informative and I had no idea the issues they are currently facing with the drought and a shortage of food donors. She also used to work for the UN World Food Program and told me the greatest hurdle facing them in getting the food to the needy is the Kenyan Government.. (unfortunately, this is not at all surprising)
I then made a quick trip into town to visit my last African market to pick up a few more gifts before I posted them all back to Australia. As Ive said a few times, Im going to miss the haggling with the African market sellers.
Anyway, that is it for me today. I will post some pics tomorrow.
Hope everyone is well. (by the way today is my 2 month anniversary in Africa- how quickly time has gone)
Troy
I have just come back from experiencing peak hour transport in the city..( I think I will never complain about Melbourne's public transport system again... actually yeah I will!)
Well on Monday we had an extra few helpers, Coachy (Adam), Dave and Hayley came along for the day to help out at the school. The Headmaster was rapt to see even more support for the school and we went into each of the classrooms so the 'new' people could be introduced and for them to meet the students. We all then split up into our classes, after we went to each class the Headmaster asked the students who they wanted to teach them and they all wanted Hayley..
It was cool to be split between the classes, Coachy had the job of teaching Maths to Grade 4s. By all reports, he said they were attentive for about 5 minutes before they started talking and throwing pens.. After the break, I organised with the teachers to take the Grade 4-6 to the sporting field to play a game of soccer for the boys. The girls had frisbees and skipping ropes that were donated by an American company.
Unfortunately, the children dont play sport on 'fields' very often as its a 30 minute walk to get to the dirt field. The walk itself is quite amazing as it gives you a great view of Kibera and shows the sheer size of this slum. We split the boys into teams, Coachy was on one and I was on the other.. lets just say we were the Japan as we scored the first goal and they returned with 4 of their own.. Coachy and the rest of his team were giving it to me as well.. (I think the Socceroos players have no worries about me taking their spot with the skill or lack of I was showing on the soccer pitch... An 8 year kid made me look very stupid..)
After soccer we went back to the old school for a traditional African meal.. the food here is really grown on me here..I will need to get the receipe so I can make it when I get home.
After lunch, we all went to the local pub to watch the big game.. well what can I say that hasnt been said in the papers back home.. it was absolute magic and we made sure the whole pub knew who we were supporting.. (I think I made the big call to everyone at the pub - 'Bring on Brazil')
Today, we had another day of teaching in the morning. (I was also talking up how good Australia were last night as well to all the students) I think they were surprised by our form after the 'form' I was showing on the pitch. After lunch I had a meeting with a Manager from Food for Hungry International as I was keen to learn more about the food shortage issues that are currently facing East and North East Africa. Nairobi is the home of NGOs in Africa. She was so informative and I had no idea the issues they are currently facing with the drought and a shortage of food donors. She also used to work for the UN World Food Program and told me the greatest hurdle facing them in getting the food to the needy is the Kenyan Government.. (unfortunately, this is not at all surprising)
I then made a quick trip into town to visit my last African market to pick up a few more gifts before I posted them all back to Australia. As Ive said a few times, Im going to miss the haggling with the African market sellers.
Anyway, that is it for me today. I will post some pics tomorrow.
Hope everyone is well. (by the way today is my 2 month anniversary in Africa- how quickly time has gone)
Troy
posted by Troy Aitken | 8:12 AM
1 Comments:
troy, so good to see you're getting so much out of teaching these kids - i know they'd love you! I arrived safely in London & are having a great time so far... Looking forward to your arrival here, do you know what date & time you'll be arriving yet as i'll try & organise picking you up from the airport... Email me, Case
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