Eastleigh - Feb 9

Micah woke up this morning not feeling well.   He tried to be a trooper and come to Eastleigh with us.   The level 2 ladies were learning the English words for parts of their bodies.    Aby held up flash cards with a body part and had the ladies say the name.   We thought it would be fun to teach them a childhood song.   So, Micah & Aby taught the ladies "head & shoulders, knees & toes".    Everyone seemed to enjoy it.     After that, Micah did not have much energy left in him.    Sadly, Micah went back to Heart House.   Mark helped him settle in and then he came back to join Aby & I.

Aby & I went into the Grade 8 class.    We introduced ourselves and talked a bit about Manitoba.   It was difficult to explain snow and that we can actually have some fun in the cold.   This class was made up of 13-17 year olds.    They were a fine group of students.   They all appeared to be eager & appreciating the opportunity to learn.    The teacher, James, handed me his notebook and asked me to teach the students.    Aby & I looked at each other and smiled.    She went to the chalk board and wrote down the word that I was explaining.   I think we made a good team.    James said that we did a good job and the students will remember the words because it was us who taught them.

We then headed upstairs to the level 3 Iftin ladies.   I think all of us are feeling a special bond with these ladies.    They are so friendly to each of us.   We showed them their pictures with their lanyards and they appeared to be pleased.   Laura, our helper at Eastleigh, is going to have their names printed on the back of each picture and so they can use them as a type of photo ID.

Once again we went on a home visit after lunch.   There were 6 children in this home.   The father was not mentioned and the mother was back in Ethiopia.   The 17 year old daughter was going to beauty school at Eastleigh and was making sure all of her siblings were going to school as well.    As we walked up the stairs, a young man/boy walked up and said "Teacher, do you remember me?"   This is the boy that was so attentive when Mark was teaching yesterday.   He is 13 years old and is in Grade 3.    This guy is seems to have a lot of potential.   He paid very close attention as Mark was putting together the water filter - we suspect he has taken on the role as the father to his younger siblings.    Once again this was a small home but it was very clean.   It was amazing to hear all of these children speak about their dreams for the future.    I will definitely be praying that this boy will be able to continue his education.   He walked back to Eastleigh with us.   As we walked, a number of children called his name.    I asked him if it was hard to go to school and he said it was some days but he enjoys the opportunity to learn.   I must admit there is a tug in my heart for this family - talk about resilience.

When we went back to Eastleigh, we decided to go back to the pre-school room.   We took one of the soccer balls that WBC gave us.    As soon as the kids saw the ball, the classroom erupted.    We went outside & kicked the ball around.    We played musical chairs by clapping for the music.   We also taught them head & shoulders.  

Home visit #3

Aby writing the names of the parts of the body.