So Cat's report from Nelson Mandela: we gave lessons on astronomy, art therapy and poetry to the 14-18 year olds. Corinne taught outside under a mango tree and allowed her students to express their feelings through art, whist Katy and I taught in the brand new buildings (which we funded) which was a real honour (The reports to our teachers states the staff at Nelson Mandela were hugely impressed). The lessons started slowly but then were enjoyed by all and very successful.
Morgan at Hope reports - Imaan and Camilla taught nursery rhymes to Reception whilst Mrs Leroy and I did the journey to school with Year 2. I found it difficult to teach in the heat and my methods of control weren't the same as the class teacher (who was a little more forceful than we are used to). We also took pictures of the kids in the Liverpool football kit which went down a treat.
In the afternoon we visited the Mercy Orphanage
Mrs Leroy and Miss Smith report: we were moved to see how happy the 14 orphans were. We showered them with toys, clothes, shoes, sweets and whoopi cushions!!! Mr Power also brought donations from from his church and an anonymous donor. The underwear donated by Stanfield children was really needed and the children distributed it fairly. The knitted teddies donated fly Parenting 2000 in Southport, were gratefully received. We were all humbled by Mr Sow and his work - the children were ambitious, polite and charming!
Mrs Robinson says- we reclaimed some tables and chairs and books from the CODEP library which was still in some disarray, but Mr Sandi and Nelson Mandela were thrilled and said that God had visited them again. -thanks to Claire Curtis Thomas.
And - Finally Mr Power adds that he is so proud of everyone involved in the trip. To hear the voices of MTGS pupils streaming out of the windows of the new classrooms at Nelson Mandela High School has been a dream in the planning for many years! It was quite emotional to hear Corinne, Katy and Cat working with the pupils and staff.
We are having a great time!!!
Hi all
ReplyDeleteMy father is unfortunately housebound at present due to chemotherapy. I showed him your blog, bringing lots of memories flooding back for him. More than sixty years ago he took the job of Passenger Manager at Freetown for Elder Dempster Shipping Line - the job came with a bungalow at Hill Station. His employers were somewhat startled to find him commuting to work on the quayside on his faithful old motorbike; they would have preferred him to use the company chauffeur-driven car, believing it to be more in keeping with his responsible position. He was 23 years old and keen to see a bit more of the country for himself; he stuck with the bike!
Whilst at Freetown he met, and subsequently married, a feisty young Cambridge Physics graduate who was teaching at Fourah Bay College. She would have been so very excited to hear of our girls teaching lessons at Waterloo (especially Cat's Astronomy!). As Mum is no longer with us you will have to make do with congratulations from her son and granddaughter.
We're really enjoying reading your posts and hope you're all having a fabulous time.
Love and best wishes to all, Perry and Bethan
PS - sorry, JP, can't resist - caption for your first picture - Everton flattened by Liverpool, AGAIN!!