Mwani from Sakeji School !!

Bruce Poidevin met Allan and I at 1:30 PM and we loaded into the plane (6 seats) with 2 children from the school. The flight was around 3 hours long ( I think.. I kind of lost track of time as I was sleeping). But I did wake up in time to take in an hour of the view. We flew for a few mins over the Congo, so I can say I was in the Congo (ha) and then we landed. Upon landing, a swarm of kids from the village were running towards the plane to meet us.

Mr. Robertson (Him along with his wife and children are at Sakeji from Quebec since 2005) met us at the plane with a vehicle to take our bags to the school. Kim (Ms. Caulback) and Pam (Mrs. Ronald) ran up the road to meet us with open arms and then we road back to the school in the truck bed. We had arrived just in time for supper.

Entering the campus, I was at its beauty; an AMAZING learning environment for these children, grade 1-8. I can see why those who have come for a term + have fallen in love with the area, the place, the children, the people and long to return. The headmaster has employed approx 60 villagers to work here at the school, and so each day I get to mingle with Lunda speaking Zambians. Most speak either English or French as well which makes communication a little easier, but I hope to learn at least some Lunda by the time the term is over.

I live in a house with Ms Kimberly Caulback. I wasn’t too sure about it at first (he he, just kidding!!!! ) – it’s been awesome so far living with her and I’m sure it’ll continue for the rest of term. Our free time is used by sleeping (1st priority), jamming with piano, guitar and drum , reading or just talking for hours.

So, I’m sure many of you are wondering : “Laura, what are you doing at Sakeji??” Well, let me tell you!!

I am known to the students as Miss Laura – I share teaching the grades 1 and 2 with Miss Janette (who is an amazing individual – as is all of the staff I’ve met so far). I teach Spelling, Language, Phonics, Creative Writing, Handwriting, Reading and Physical Education (all for gr 1&2) - pretty much filling in for what Tara Jo was teaching. To add to that I supervise the playground on Mondays of week 1, teach and supervise swimming on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, teach piano on Tuesday afternoons and other random things that arise throughout the week. I am kept quite busy and so any free time I tend to use for sleep. It’s amazing how much a person can sleep when they have the opportunity to do so. We awake each morning at 6:20 (or 6:50 depending when we went to bed) for breakfast @ 7am. My classes begin at 8:40 and go until tea time @ 10. I usually have class then until lunch at 12:10pm. After lunch in rest hour (I need to bring this concept back to Dal! It’s definitely an essential part of the day..) and then maybe a class or an activity of some sort until supper at 5:30pm. The juniors (gr 1-4) go to bed at 7pm and the seniors (gr 5-8) at 8pm. Each night of the week there is usually a special activity for them before bed; chat time, movie, music, etc.

Beginning the 2nd week here at Sakeji, I feel Im getting into the swing of things. Here’s a list of my grade 1s and 2s that you can pray for =)
Grade 1: Ntemesha, Kuwunda, Musala, Temwani, Watela, Naomi, Nkisu
Grade 2: Victorious, Mwitwa, Ndala, Mwengwe, Broddy, Naomi R, Mark, Kirrilee
They are amazing kids – and Miss Tara Jo, I’m taking care of your babies for you =) ..attempting to do so anyways. They are full of so much energy and love – it’s great.

Now I sit relaxed in the Admin finishing up my afternoon off. Every staff member has one afternoon off – I used mine today for sleeping =) Ms. Jill Avery has the same afternoon off as I, and so when it’s convenient we will be going into Kilene for an afternoon bible study with her friend Joyce who runs a bible study.

I have a request – if any of you have any neat ideas for teaching the subjects I have mentioned above, please share them with me =) With phonics, I’ve incorporated music, which the kids seem to enjoy and helps them remember. There are books to help out as well, but fresh ideas are always helpful!

Thanks again for prayers and support.
Much love,
Laura