Kirsten meeting some of the children from the school

Donations being put to great use

A classroom of kids equivalent to grade 2

That last couple of days have been enjoyable getting to know the children from the school. There is just so much to take in. We've been using the teaching supplies like whiteboards & playdough that we brought. It is so useful for the little ones because paper & pencils to many individuals here are a luxury... determining whether you can go to go to school or not. (Some of the "homes" or mud huts that these children live in would blow your mind.... very humbling) The program that we are volunteering with offers a "homework club" over the holidays which is extra help to children who are falling behind  because they can't afford school or are at home working with their parent/parents. They are also just beginning a "preschool" program or what we call JK/SK. Their services are free through sponsorship, to those who can't afford it. It was such a joy watching the children starting to write.

Kirsten playing soccer with some children

Kirsten helping children with their school work

Children coloring alongside Kirsten with the various donations
 that we brought

They love selfies too....

The smiles..... love it❤️

We have to take public transportation to the school everyday from the main office, with a couple of other teachers. It is about 6-7kms away and costs equivalent to 25cents US. We are stuffed in a van with all the locals, like a can of sardines. They insist on sitting  4 across no matter how big or small you are. People are almost sitting on top of each other. Kirsten has been such a good sport with all of this, especially with all the different odours you must endure, etc... Today something living brushed up against her legs & she didn't freak... there were 4 LIVE chickens under her seat that were tied by their legs.....LOLOL.... Kirsten couldn't believe how quiet they were on the drive....LOLOL.

 Our daily transportation...Not an inch
 of room to move LOL

A family thrilled to receive a single toothbwhat a blessing the donations have been

Teaching English to  a grade 1/2  class of children
 within the school 

Correction.....Yeah! We do have water..... at certain points in the day. Again, we have a gerry can when we don't. Cold showers are a given..... so spoiled. In Rwamagana, I would say MOST households for sure don't have running water, aside from a handful of what you would classify here as mansions in comparison. However, I was happy to see that there are several water stations to receive clean drinking water from. I just can't believe how many people (including women & children) show up filling up their cans all day long.... perspective when I don't have my simple coffee in the morning. Most of those gerry cans can weigh 25-50lbs... I know because I have had to lift one to pour it into a small tub!

Various People including children  collecting fresh water at a
water station with gerry cans

A young boy carrying a gerry can to collect water for his family