The Beginning of April but the end of HOPAC

Day 34 – 1st April 2009

April fool’s day! I thought my phone was playing a trick on me this morning since it was still dark when my alarm went off (Just like England!) but sadly it was in fact 6.30 and time to get up! It was quite a fun morning getting ready. Karen played a trick on the kids, she had her ‘boss’ (Shaun) phone up and explain to her that there had been a tick infestation at school and because they had the infumigators in school had been cancelled. Louis and Jacob were completely fooled but Megan caught on very quickly.

It was quite fun in the classroom today, I don’t think 5 year olds quite understand the concept of a prank. They would tell you to look up then when you did they would yell “April fools!” Though I guess I’m lucky, the other teachers had the more complex pranks involving pretend bugs so Karen and I got off lucky there. We also watched the puppet show all the way through today (in preparation for Friday and that afternoon when they were showing it to another school).

After second break I headed down to another classroom, I was going to be helping Shaun with Service week this afternoon because the Kindergarten was just going to watch the puppet show again. Service week is something HOPAC does were the secondary children go off and do charitable work in different parts of Tanzania like Iringa, Morogoro, Tanga and Shaun was doing one of the programmes running in Dar. It was linked to the quarry kids club that they did on Saturday but in the mean time they have been delivering Mosquito nets to all the families in the Quarry. That afternoon they were going to be doing their regular kids club.

My gosh it was hot! We were all in a field playing games, skipping ropes, Frisbees, dancing and generally getting interactive with the children. It was for just over an hour but by the end of it everyone was exhausted. Once that had finished I was taken back to the school to pick up my cases and then dropped off back at the Guest House around 3. I had a lovely afternoon, spent a lot of it asleep because I was so tired but I have FINALLY finished off those profiles which is brilliant so tomorrow I will pass them on to Brenda. I then had another lovely dinner and then early bed since I’ve still got a cold and still feeling grotty.

Day 35 – 2nd April 2009

Another early start and since I’m at the guest house I walk in to HOPAC before school starts. I’m only going to be there till 12 today since I’ve planned to go see Karen Stanley in the afternoon to sort out hotels/safari and plans for me and my dad next week. Today the children did their regular work but they also made a card for one of the students leaving the school tomorrow which was so sweet. They all drew pictures of themselves – I love how we can only draw like that when we’re that age.

When it came to twelve Rob picked me up and took me to Karen’s house where I met Tom for the first time and saw Josh again. It was nice to see the house again and say hello to the dogs. The plans are now (after numerous calls to different hotels who were fully booked?!) is that I’ll stay at the Guest House and I will stay here with dad Sunday and Monday night also. We’ll then go on a two day Safari and stay in Mokumi Tuesday night but back at the Guest House Wednesday and Thursday night. We’ll then go up to Bagamoya on the Friday and Karen has said that we could stay at her house on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights which is really great.

After the plans had been made she took me down to the Slip Way where I got some internet credit and got some money out of the ATM, I also saw Alejandro who is in the HOPAC Kindergarten class which was a bit surreal. After that Rob took me back to their house where I collected my bags to bring to the Guest House (it took us almost two hours in all so I was exhausted by this point.) I then had dinner and fell asleep quite early so I would be well rested for my last day at HOPAC.

Day 36 – 3rd April 2009

Bright and early again and I walk down to the school as usual. I’m suffering quite a bit from bites as well by this point – I actually think cutting off my own feet would help it’s so itchy!! But it’s a lovely day, hot as always but no sign of rain. I got to the classroom and I was tackle hugged by Louis which was an indicator of how the day would go.

It was a really lovely day and since it was the last day of school the kids got to do some really fun stuff like make Easter cards, they all got pizza and gifts from students so it was just a really nice vibe for the day. The assembly was in the afternoon and that consisted of the Puppet show, songs I didn’t know the words too and readings from the bible. I’m not Christian (or religious) as lots of you know but it’s still fascinating to see all the different interpretations of the same story or THE story as some might say. Once the day was over the kindergarten class all said goodbye to Anna-Mart who was leaving for South Africa and collected their things ready for the holidays. I then left for the Guest House once I had goodbye to everyone. It’s strange to know that I’ve now finished this part of my trip since on Sunday my dad comes and I won’t be volunteering in the same way that I have been doing, but still, I’m VERY excited. The afternoon was nice and relaxing; I loaded up my airtime for the internet (SO pleased it works!) and then went down for another lovely dinner of chicken and chips. Plan is to have a nice long sleep and an even longer lie in!

Day 37 – 4th April 2009

I’ve failed as a teenager. I literately could not sleep past 8 so I’m very disappointed in myself! However, I did wake up then and I had my breakfast and had a lovely morning of reading my books, watching some TV and doodling in my book. I had lunch with everyone down at the restaurant, Spaghetti Bolognaise so I was a very happy girl indeed. The afternoon had much the same theme of essentially doing nothing but getting a lot done. For example, I sorted out both my suitcases and have put some of my clothes away and basically have tried to get organised for my dad’s arrival tomorrow!

I headed down to the restaurant around 8 and had Steak and Chips again and I sat there talking with everyone till around ten so now I’m here typing up my blog! Just about to ring some people, post this on the blog (hopefully) and then ATTEMPT a good night’s sleep. Wish me luck!

-Love, (as always) Emma xxx