WEDNESDAY - SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

There have been several unexpected "black outs" (electricity power cuts) therefore I have been unable to communicate.  Malawian people appear to take these power cuts in their stride and are well prepared.  Some places have their own generator. Fortunately our cooks Miriam and Doric are still able to cook on the stove outside to provide some wonderful food.  Our candlelit dinners are a delight and bring back childhood memories of power cuts in Scotland when the family would gather round and play board games or cards. However we have found ourselves in the dark supermarket unable to buy provisions on more than one occasion.  Last year these electricity cuts were usually on a Sunday in Mzuzu but now they are more regular.  If you are lucky to afford a newspaper then you will read when the cuts are scheduled.

Wednesday began with out usual daily Mass at 6.30p.m. followed by breakfast consisting of toast, egg and coffee.  Everyone is now in the swing of things and looking forward to the day's programme.  Tom, Heather, Sophie and myself headed off with all our materials to St. Peter's Primary. We decide to be the 4 Musketeers and stick together for lessons.  This turned out to be an excellent decision because we all loved working together and playing to each other's talents. 

Standard One was our first class where pupils were working on number.  Fantastic!  There were around 60 children present.  Already children were sitting in 4 circles on the floor with their jotters doing addition sums from the board.  Much learning is "chalk and talk" although we could see the pupils counting with stones and bottle tops.  After receiving a very warm welcome we began with introductions and a class lesson to allow the children to tune in to us and for our students to identify possible helpers for them in the circle before taking their activity.  Each student then was responsible for one circle of learners to interact using individual chalkboards for developing numeracy skills.