School books and uniforms

Dear friends,

Today has been another successful day: we bought school books!

But let us start at the beginning: the school doesn’t have any school books, the ones they have are “borrowed” from other schools. When we came to school this morning, we started teaching the baby class. However, as enough teachers were around, we soon left again to spend our time on more value adding activities. We left off to the first school book shop. We needed advice on what books to buy for which class, but the shop lady ignored us. So we left again, but not without giving her some free lessons on customer relationship and “how to treat your costumer”. 

The second book shop guy was much more helpful. He advised us on the books needed for each class and subject. As he didn’t have most of the books, he will order them all together. When he realized the size of our “investment”, he was so happy that he invited us for a cold drink. J This guy has learnt his lesson about customer relationship! (Or Vicky, did you pass by that shop and taught him?)

Books will be arriving by end of this week. Today we only bought the summary books and took them to school. When handing over the books and telling the head teacher about the “big order”, she nearly started crying. It was very sweet. (Thank you Romana, Nathan/Claire and Eugenia for your contribution, this is what we achieved with it!)

Head teacher holding new books (nearly crying...)

Our second mission today was school uniforms for kids that can’t afford not even to buy their own cloths. There are several kids in the school running around with torn trousers or shirts that are so big that they nearly fell over them. 

Two of the kids in need of uniforms

More kids in need of uniforms...

So we found the cheapest tailor and decided to create three sizes: small, medium and large. The tailor requested for the measures, so we went back to school and took six kids out for a walk…

On the way to the tailor

The tailor took the measures and will create the first uniforms. (Thanks Fabian for your support!):

Taking measurement

Our "three sizes": small, medium and large

Back home we had our second computer lessons. Two of the women brought in their little babies. Very sweet, up to the point were they started throwing up on the teachers (NOT FUNNY).

They were still sweet at that point...

Our youngest participant...

We turned into real Africans this morning. We were both to lazy to have a (cold) shower. We deeply regret that as the water is not running at the moment. Not sure when it is suppose to come back… :)

On our way from school back home a man stopped us. He greeted us very friendly (we greeted back, we got used to being greeting by everyone passing us. Lot of hand shaking involved…). Surprisingly, he asked us whether he could take a picture. That surprised us, as normally we always get asked to take a picture of them. The man told us with pride in his voice: “I am a photographer”.  Ahh, ok, well then, take your picture… He opens his bags and takes out a camera of the last century…. He takes a picture and then want 30 Eurocents to deliver us the picture “wherever you are”… Ahh, ok. Well, No. Thanks. We head off. He remains with a picture of two beautiful (not showered) girls…

Maezinha, so para voce:

I'll bring one. Or two... :)

A big hug from Kenya!
Alex & Agnes