A Long, Busy 'Summer'

It certainly has been hot enough to feel like summer!  When we arrived here last August, the rainy season had started early.  So we though the temperature was always cool and breezy with a once a day rain.  But we have learned this August that it can be very hot and dry here.  We expect the rains to start anytime and for it to finally cool down a bit.

It has also been a very busy term since returning from our holiday.  There has been a lot to do to prepare students for exams.  We also had preparations for the Standard VII graduation. And there was an epic football match between our Standard VII boys and the boys from the school behind ours.  We have one week of school left before heading our for a much  needed week vacation. 

Here are some pics for the events of the past month...

The football match was pretty amazing.  Our boys scored a goal about half way through the first half.  Because everyone was busy preparing for graduation, they only let the older kids go watch the game.  But the younger kids kept sneaking over and watching until they would get sent away.  But then finally, they let everyone come for the last 10 minutes or so of the game.  They were so excited. The sang and clapped the entire time there were there.  It was quite the cheering section.  We were still leading 1-0 until the final minute or so of the game.  Then the other team was awarded a penalty kick.  We thought all was lost.....but they missed!!  You can't imagine the cheers from our side.  The final whistle blew and you would have thought we had won world cup!  The team was cheered the entire walk back to campus.  It was nearly impossible to settle everyone back down for lunch and afternoon classes!

Yesterday was the graduation for Standard VII.  It is our second graduation here and it was a lot more enjoyable when I actually knew what was happening and had participated in the preparations.  All of the classes prepare songs and performances to celebrate Standard VII.  And the graduates themselves prepared things to show everyone else.  Then they received diplomas and gifts.  Finally, there was a big meal and celebration with their families. 

Standard VII dancing onto the stage:

Standard I performance:

I am the class teacher for Standard VI.  This meant I had to help them prepare their presentation.  We did two.  The first was a dance and song.  The second was an English presentation.  They described what they have learned about writing essays including the writing process and types of essays.  And then four students shared their essays.  It was really great.  I was so proud of them!

Traditional dancing:

Once of Patricio's closest friends here is Shedrak, a Standard VII student.  Patricio was happy to see him celebrated at graduation but so sad to think about him leaving next week.