Today was one of those extremely happy and extremely sad days. It was so fun hanging out with the kids all day, but it makes leaving so much more difficult. D&D had concocted a plan as a goodbye to the kids (they’re all leaving in a few weeks, too) to take them all to a croc and snake farm nearby Lusaka. So along with C, the regular preschool teacher, T and I headed off to Kalimba Farm with 30 kids from the campus. When we came out to get in the vehicles, all the kids from campus came up and hugged each of us; this is a common occurrence to start preschool, but it has never happened in mass with the older kids before! They all piled in the back of the pickups, it was adorable. J Our groups that we watched over ranged from the big kids to the little ones. I got to have the birthday girl in my group. J And E, the youngest one along, also the one in preschool who understands almost no English, was in my group. Honestly, if I didn’t know he was in preschool, I would lump him with the toddlers and babies on campus. Anyway, he decided to wet himself…on the ride there! Poor boy!
The farm has eight or so display windows of their snakes and a big pit where several large pythons are kept. Well, the preschoolers couldn’t see over the wall into the pit, and I had three of them in my group, so I had to lift each of them up to see. So when E, who was still very wet, needed to see the pit, I held him out in front of me and wanted him to stand on the side of the pit. Well, he must of thought I was going to drop him in there or something because he got so frightened! He didn’t go by the snakes the rest of the day! However, him and S had a death grip on my hands when we walked by the crocodiles! Again, there were times when I had to pick them up, and these little kids were getting so frightened by them! I don’t mind holding the little kids’ hands though. J There were baby crocs less than a foot long up to the big guys around 10 feet! And we got very close to them and got to watch them fighting for food during feeding time! I had a little boy from another group glued to me during that time; he didn’t let me put him down until we were safely on the playground again!
Anyway, besides the animals, there was playground equipment for the kids to play on, as well as some trampolines, which were a huge hit. I ended up chaperoning the boys’ trampoline, so I had lots of little charmers trying to win my affections all day. J We all joined together for lunch time with pb&j’s. These kids have never had them, so I had all the kids at the boys table telling me and Mrs. D&D that they were “nice.” J Oh, and then me being me, I spilled my drink on the ground, so all the kids in the vicinity of course had to say “sorry” to me numerous times because that’s what you say! Then one of my preschoolers tried to help and share his juice with me, but ended up spilling it all over my pants—oops! There were also cupcakes for the birthday girl’s special day that Mrs. D&D made. Watching them eat those was hilarious too—they didn’t know to take off the paper, even after showing them, they didn’t want to! Cute! I had lots of fun playing with the kids all day. J The best part, however, was a surprise from all the kids. They assembled together and sang a goodbye song to us with our names in it that C had written! “Remember to remain, in union with the Lord! Teachers, we’ll miss you!” So sweet! It was amazing! Some of the older kids came forward and said parts they had obviously written and memorized about love and God. I was definitely crying…Then they all came to give us hugs and since I was sitting on the trampoline, we all rolled backwards into a big pile together. J
During the car ride back I was busting out some of my Nyanja, and that of course was hilarious to them, so they tried teaching me lots more words, which unfortunately, I do not remember….It was an awesome morning; I’m so glad D&D thought this up and decided to include us before we left!
Back at the ranch, T and I finalized everything for our awards ceremony tomorrow, and I went to watch the last kickball game before I left. Well, I attempted to watch. I had preschoolers crawling all over me. They were fighting over who could stand closer, of course. They make me melt. This is why I could never be a little kid teacher long term; I just think they’re so cute and could never teach them! Much laughter ran through the air through all the tickling that happened. J The boys tried doing my hair too. J And I got to hold a baby; that always makes me happy. J He ran right up to me too! CUTE! I of course had my camera with me, so they went nuts over that, too. “Copa teacha, copa!” was shouted through the air, aka, teacher I want to take a picture! I have some interesting photos they took! I did experience some things I wish I wouldn’t have though; I saw the preschoolers peeling termite trails of dirt off the trees and eating them….yuck. After the game I had to tear myself away from them all and head back for supper, a Zambian meal with nshima and pumpkin leaves. T and I finished some things for tomorrow and watched a movie (one left!) before bed.
No comments:
Post a Comment