Travel Day and Jamii School Day

We journeyed to Eldoret on Friday. Miriam usually tells us it "should be" / "used to be" a 4-hour trip but it's always longer than that. This time it was 8.5 hours for most of the team; "only" 7 hours for me since they picked me up from the conference center on the way. LOTS of traffic including many matatus and big freight trucks.

Just a couple more pics from the conference center... Lovely!!

Today (Saturday) was our only day at the Jamii School. Usually we spend several days here but because of various scheduling issues, we were just there today. The teachers told us that they were sad we couldn't be here longer but short as our time was, it was a joy to be here.

Because it was a Saturday, we had a lot fewer kids – perhaps about 200 – though there are about 600 kids enrolled.

Almost all the teachers came, which was a super help for us as well as a chance to either catch up with old friends or make new ones.

 I know I shouldn't have favorites but little Samantha grabbed my heart...

Our craft this year was making musical instruments. We in the "top class" (i.e., kindergarten) made shakers of plastic Easter eggs with beans inside. The kids also colored on paper plates. Some of the older grades used the paper plates to make a different type of shaker which you'll see in a later photo.

 Teacher Jackie and I have worked together at Jamii from the first year I came here.

 Basilus, one of the school directors and also a good friend, enjoys a moment of music in the school office.

Another craft was creating a guitar out of a kleenex box by wrapping rubber bands around it across the hole.

Here's the paper plates folded in half and stapled, with some beans or beads inside as a different form of shaker. Also notice the "instrument" in Anna's right hand. Looks like a slingshot but has bottle caps strung on it to make a great "clacking" sound.

A couple of other classes created "pan flutes" out of plastic straws and masking tape.

And the "instruments" that made the weirdest sound were the "howlers."  You poke a hole in the top of a tin can that's open at the bottom. attach a string or piece of yarn that hangs out of the can; then wet your fingers and pull down on the string to make the sound. It really does "howl." 

Play time!

 My fav Samantha with a friend.

Esther, the other co-director of the school prepared a feast for us in their home. Probably should have taken the photo when all the lids were off!

The "road" we walk on between the school and their house. Just a little glimpse of the plastic bag problem...

Basilus modeling his gift from our team. We gave small bags to each teacher with a hat and tie for the men, and scarves and jewelry for the women.

 Morning sky...

Afternoon sky... It rains a lot in Eldoret.