Day 11 - Three Schools in One Day!

Although I was up early today, there was no running water in my room to start getting ready. I received a bucket of hot water at 6:30 am and was able to get a trickle from the tap to partially fill another bucket so I could make warm water. I was at my table by 7:10 for breakfast, which was when Timothy was scheduled to pick me up. I managed to wolf down a few items before running out to meet him. 
Timothy took me to three schools today, with the last two being further afield. There was a definite contrast between them and Igoma from yesterday. I did not 'teach' much today and only gave out a few stickers since I barely stayed in each class. 
At one of the schools, a young boy was sitting on the staff room floor with another boy. A number of teachers talked with him, including Timothy. Apparently the boy was accused of stealing 200 tsh (less than $0.12 Canadian) from his father, who then tied his hands together and dragged him down the road (remember, it is VERY bumpy) on the back of his motorcycle. The staff wanted to have the boy brought to the police to report the father's actions. Hopefully this won't lead to further punishments.  Now, a bit about each school: Shamaliwa Primary School is built near a church, where there have been daily services all week - outdoors, by the sound of it. The classroom windows are not able to close so the teachers have had to teach above the loud music. A number of students have also missed school - due to the services. With 2624 students, even having 4 different grades coming at different times of the day (in shifts), many students still do not have desks. There are only 10 classrooms and 50 teachers (5 men/45 women). The 647 Level 1 students are separated into 3 groups, and then into 2 shifts, so each class would still have over 100 students. Two teachers live in small accommodations behind the school - not because they love their job so much, but because each school hires a night watchman - and the teachers prefer to live somewhere that provides additional security. (The second picture below I took with a flash because it was quite dark inside.)

The second school on the tour was Bukaga Primary School. It only has 1491 student/25 teachers/7 classrooms. At least 3 grades come in shifts to allow students to fit in the rooms. There are 109 kindergarten students. 

Above you can see what happens when the classes are full of students - the teachers' desks remain outside. Seeing teachers buried behind endless piles of books was a common sight. The last school was Kanindo Primary School - a bit more rural. The rocks in the background make for some very interesting scenery. This school has 1287 students/16 teachers/7 classrooms. Three grades come in shifts, but some classes still don't have enough desks. Many of the students in Level 7 were full of questions for Timothy - to prepare for their final exams, which determines whether or not they will enter secondary school. They, sadly, did not have as much world knowledge as the previous schools. 

On the way back to the lodge, I thought I'd take a picture of a common traffic problem. 

On a totally unrelated topic, I've included pictures of plants growing in the garden. Do they look familiar?

 

The above picture is a Hadada Ibis (hopefully I named it correctly), a large bird with a very loud annoying call - at dusk and dawn.

This bird above, I have yet to identify. Tim??? Below is a Sunbird, I think, but I can't pinpoint exactly what kind.

I was invited to Sunday dinner at a Rotary member's house - because her children wanted to meet a 'mzungu' (white person). I, unfortunately, already made plans to meet Delphine's pastor - after the 2 hour church service, apparently. (I'm grateful it's not 4 hours, which is typical.)
Moses outlined my schedule for the next week. We both can hardly believe that I am about half-way through my visit already. I have tomorrow 'off' so Nuru will take me into the city centre to explore and possibly shop. We're going to take the daladala to town - that will be an experience in itself! (Small vans packed with people.) Stay tuned for some interesting posts - not school related.