The International School of Mbarara

Dear Readers,

Today was our first day of school! First thing, everyone gathered outside to do morning songs, including "Jambo" where everybody shakes each other's hands while singing. Then, they had a competition to see who retained the most information from the previous week. Everybody was enthusiastically applauded  after providing a correct answer.

The next period, we started work on fossils. The kids in third grade presented what they had already learned  through a lecture, a song, and a charming skit. The teacher then declared that we would teach them more. Twenty minutes feels like a long time to teach something to kids who have already covered the subject thoroughly. Surprisingly, it went pretty smoothly.

Mrs. K then invited us to go see the site of her new school. We gladly accepted. A surveyor checked the dirt quality and declared it worthy to make bricks. Relieved, we traveled back to the school.

We then visited with a kindergarten class. It was basically a small room filled with adorable little dumplings of enthusiasm; enthusiastic about practicing the abc's, and pulling out Emilia's hair. At the end of the period, her hair was well decorated with "monkeys in a barrel" and knots.

Lunchtime came, and we decided to sit with the children. At first, they were shy, and responded to our questions with mere giggles. As lunch progressed, they invited us to play with them. Jump rope was a big hit. When the line got too long, we decided to start a new game of jump rope. When we left, so did they. The other rope was abandoned, and once again, the line was too long.

We finished the day by making play-do, and helping the second grade class with their English books. When it was time to be picked up, we were reluctant to leave, yet excited for a nap.

Goodnight,
Emilia and Mattie