So, I have been here a few days now, and have established a bit more of a routine. Sunday was relaxed, after blogging I headed back to the house and had my first cooking in Africa experience...instant noodles, they were pretty tasty but I am not sure how I will get on when I have to cook a proper meal for 27 people on Thursday! Following the noodle adventures I went down to the beach with some other volunteers and partook of some essential tanning hours. The beach is crazy as there is such a mix, white rich people on holiday, us and then HUNDREDS of locals, it is very beautiful though and the weathers been amazing so its worth going! Sunday night, to avoid further cooking a few of us headed to a restaurant called Caribou for dinner, very tasty. I've eaten pretty well so far...hopefully it will continue, the food is quite random, and definitely indian influences, as I have had chappattis a couple of times and naan, and seen a lot of tikka and paneer on menus.
Monday was the final session of training, more specifically on teaching this time, and after some basic exercises we were given our timetables. GVI has 2 schools in Bombolulu, the slum backing onto our more privileged area (Nyali), one is Olives Rehabilitation Centre and the other, where I am based is Precious Vision Centre. It is a 20-30 minute walk from home (very sweaty) and the kids are quite poor but very sweet. I am teaching standard 4 English and Science with Cammy, a volunteer who is nearing the end of her 9 month placement. This is great as Cammy has shown me the ropes and has such great methods and lesson plans in place that I can adopt. We visited precious for the first time on Monday afternoon and met Madame Jane, the founder, who you really do hear coming. She is a larger than life lady who left a well paid job at a private school to open the centre after discovering that the village (Bombolulu) existed. She has had some hard times as she had problems with the centres previous location, but is very content now, pronouncing that she was proud to be so fat...a good thing in Kenya. She also showed us her greenhouse where she is growing tomatos and other veggies, she is IMMENSELY proud of it!! Then she took us for a walk through the village which was somewhat eye-opening...the houses are all made of branches and mud and living is very basic, no electricity or water. Finally, I was introduced to my class who seemed lovely. The evening saw some school prep and a yummy veg stew and rice as well as my introduction to chores. Each of the volunteers are expected to do a chore each day and today mine was Bathrooms....nightmare, there are three which have to be cleaned and mopped (and I have to do this again on friday...say what?)
Today, Tuesday has sparked the beginning of what will be daily life for me in Mombasa. I rose at 6.30 (sure you'll all be impressed) and set off for school after my cornflakes at 7.30. A group of us walked together as I am not sure of my way yet, arriving in time for assembly/singing in swahili at 8. Lessons began with science at 8.15, then double English and a break-time meeting of volunteers and teachers (with chapattis). Reading was the next lesson, where the children choose books to read privately, and as my class had lessons with the local teachers all afternoon I headed home for lunch. Instant noodles and a rest later I headed out to what we call community. This is adult education in Olives church in the slum. I watched a maths class and then helped with English, going round to some of the students individually and chatting and helping. One of the students was a Samburu warrior visiting his brother in Mombasa, I spoke to him a little about where he was from and his life and he asked about mine, allowing him to practice his English. He then gave me a bracelet that he had made, very kind, although I hope I am not now in some way betrothed!!!! (JOKES). Dinner of spag bol was delicious and then I did my chores (mopping...or in my style just wetting the floor) and then came here!!
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