So today was my first day back as school after having a few days off. I have to admit I really missed the kids and realized just how hard it is going to be for me to leave them. All of them have asked to come back to Canada with me. For this whole trip I have been excited about coming home to share my stories with you all but now that the end is coming I am starting to feel sad. Today I was standing at school and finally had "the click" It finally sunk in that I am fulfilling one of my life dreams. I am in Africa working with children. I teared up a bit. I guess I got so wrapped up in how hard it is to live here and everything I have been going through that I didn't really appreciate it all. I hope to enjoy my last few days here to the fullest.
Ok, time for the update on the donation money. For those of you who were getting concerned (mother) about if the money was being spent, I assure you it is all gone. I was saving the larger donations to the end of my trip because I wanted to make sure I had the money for the small stuff. Yesterday I was taken to a new project in a village close to my town. I was amazed at what this lady was doing. She had started up a day center for kids in the area who couldn't afford to go to school. Keep in mind that school here is free but you have to be able to afford the uniform, exercise books, and pens and pencils. Total cost around $10. A lot of these kids are orphans or have only 1 parent who can not afford to pay for them. This lady operates out of the smallest space I have ever scene. She currently has 75 students and is working out of 3 10x10 rooms. Each room is divided by a movable chalkboard and is then split into 2 classrooms. There are no dividing walls so each side can hear the other.
I was brought over there to see about a donation. The lady is currently renting and the landlord is trying to kick her out. She is wanting to buy a plot of land down the road that already has a house on it. So we went to check it out. The total cost for the land and the house is $7000. Some past volunteers have raised a couple thousand for it and I have contributed some money for the down payment. We are hoping that it will go through by the time I leave, but lets be realistic, this is Africa. Things take a lot longer here. Anyway, I really feel strongly that this is a great project to contribute to. The lady is truly all about the kids, unlike most school owners here. It is very corrupt and a lot of the school directors keep the money. This lady is an angel and has done so much for kids that would otherwise never have a chance to learn. They would be on the street all day and would not get fed. So a part of the money went to that. I am also trying to arrange for that school to get a simple uniform. In all the schools here you have to wear uniforms, and believe me the kids take great pride in them. This school has nothing and the kids don't feel like they really belong because they don't have a uniform. So I am trying to arrange to have 100 uniforms made for them to wear during the day. Not only will it cloth the kids but it will also create much needed jobs for some women in the community. It's a win win!
I am also paying for my school to continue serving lunch to ALL the students for 1 year. Keep in mind that this meal is the only meal some of these kids get in a day. It's really sad. But at least now they are getting something.
I have also been buying books, toys, and supplies for my school. Oh and the wall that was built in the classroom was completed this weekend. It is definitely not up to North American standards but they are soooo happy about it. When I first saw it I thought "WTF" it didn't look so good, but trust me when I say they are loving it. All they had before was some sticks dividing the room. All the students came to thank me for it.
As far as the rent on the office space goes, it is still being worked out. We are waiting for the lady to find a new place. That may happen after I leave, but a least they will have a proper office.
Today I brought a soccer (football) to the school for the kids to play with. It was CRAZY. As soon as I came around the corner they started freaking out. Once I dropped the ball they all jumped on it and on each other. I have to pry them off one another. Every time I would set it down again they would do the same thing. There were like 30 kids all piled on top of this ball. Eventually I got them to start kicking it around. THEY LOVED IT! I think I will purchase a few more toys for outside activity, it seems to be going over very well.
Well that's the break down of the money. It is being well spent and is doing a lot of good things. Thank you to everyone who donated.
Jenn
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