Sunday 15th July 2007

Today is Sunday, not that you’d know it, because we were up early as per usual! Due to a minor oversight we had run out of breakfast! So, once we were happy it wasn’t a plan to make us fast on Sunday, we were in the van winging our way to a little island to do some outreach at another children’s club, (and a lovely local fresh breakfast was picked up en route).

To get to the island we took a local ferry, it was lovely to be crossing the wide murky brown river, with the wind in our faces. Once across, we got back in the van and headed up the dust track to the where a bunch of about 70 kids from babies to young adults were sat on mats beneath the shelter of a nice concrete building waiting for us. Before long they were laughing at us, (and a few volunteer kids), in our sheep masks that we had made on a previous evening out of a couple of cornflakes boxes, PVA glue and some toilet paper. The consistently favourite bit of Anna (W)’s drama, seems to be when Luke (as the shepherd) slings Dave (as the stray sheep) over his shoulder and prances around with him! The other highlight of the morning was the joy of the children as they imitated the ape impressions from the song “Who’s the King of the Jungle?”, the “oooh oooh”-ing seemed to extend far into the next verse!! The smiles across their little faces as they jumped up and down with glee were just so exhilarating, that at their request we repeated and repeated and repeated the song. Next it was out the back into the field in the boiling heat, for a massive Hokey-Cokey, lead by Luke, who did a sterling job of broadcasting his voice over such a large crowd.

I retired to sit in the shade and smile at the kids, whilst an energetic football game started up. After a while the kids cottoned on to the phenomenon of the digital camera, and were grouping themselves happily for all sorts of photos, bright orange cones were placed on heads and poses were adopted, - great fun was had by all.

I enquired of the project leader whether any of the children were orphans, to which she answered by pointing to a girl, who looked no older than 14, who was carrying a baby in her arms, clothed in rags. I am not entirely certain, but I think that if I understood correctly, the parents had died, perhaps of HIV, leaving this girl to look after the family of 7 (?). She also said that two of the children had died a few months back of disease, (I am not sure whether there are now 5 or whether 7 is the current number). I wondered how they managed; I think the village lends a lot of support to the children in this sort of situation. It really brings home the importance of community.

After a bumpy ride home, we decided to spend the rest of the day in the market, internet café, swimming pool and round it off by a hearty supper in an English restaurant. My surprise treat for the day was having the hotel receptionist come and ask me how he could improve his “English pronounce”, after recommending the BBC radio, and other such ideas, he came and offered me a reading from the paper, so we sat for a good hour, whilst I scrutinised his pronunciation, and poured over every word, for those who know me, you know I wasn’t letting him away with any sloppy endings!!! The poor fellow was a bit embarrassed by the repeated “th’s” and “v’s” and the awkward shapes I was instructing him to make his mouth!! :o). (I must admit that I misread some of the words myself, but thankfully I wasn’t the one reading it aloud! and it was at an angle!!, so he took my email, but I doubt whether I will hear from him!!)

Oh, and there are certain team members that are adamant that I mention the outstandingly brilliant win at water volleyball, (by Sarah, Sarah, Geoff and myself), making the overall score 1 all now!

Well we have all got home now, full to bursting with good old fashioned English cooking. The rain is pelting down, which is a very refreshing change. Dave has just lead a little sing song around the dinner table, and now everyone is just waiting for me to round this off so that I can do the nightly broadcast of our Blog to the rest of the team. So I shall say goodnight to you all and wish you a happy Sunday. Tomorrow is bricklaying round the playground, (weather permitting), so pray for a good nights rest. God Bless you for your thoughts and prayers, and keep writing to us, blog mail is eagerly received.

Anna Sutton xxx