Day 2 - School opening, Hope Prep Welcome and Seeds and Tools

Today saw us making our way through the capital city to reach our partnership schools. The normal mountain road has been closed and it will now take a 4 hour round trip to our schools. However, it is a good chance to see the sights of Freetown and the surrounding areas.

We arrived at Nelson Mandela High School to open the new school building. The Chairman of the Waterloo Partnership began the proceedings and the school was blessed by Christian and Muslim leaders. Representatives and elders from the local community also have addresses. Mrs Robinson and Mr Power thanked the various assembled and the school was officially opened. Mr Power and Mr Sandi held the ribbon as Mrs Robinson cut it to declare the Madiba Centre for Learning open!! 

The local community of York Road surprised Mr Power by naming him Honorary Chief... full title in school please.... Chief Pa Kombabah John Power. 

The girls met so many pupils and made new friends before setting off to see the little ones at Hope Prep. When we arrived at the school it was eerily quiet. When we made our way through the school grounds we turned corner after corner until we found all of the all of the children assembled. We sang, danced, played games and we all gave a roaring rendition of Shine Jesus Shine!!! (with clapping!!). Mrs Robinson thanked the school for their welcome as each of us was presented with our valentine rose!!

We finished the day at the Waterloo Partnership Womens Tools and Seeds Project. We saw how the women grow crops from potatoes to chillis and again the girls made new friends with the local children.

It is now very late - I am off to bed - hopefully one of the 6th form will do the blog tomorrow.

As promised I will give a special mention to my form - 11T. Your donations paid for a new uniform for Abdul Bangura and Nelson Mandela High School. Happy Birthday Hollie!!