So the week before this was a 6-day school week. (rip-off on the weekend!) Saturday morning we got to school early to set up benches and finishing lines and get everything in order. The day opened with all the children singing a prayer and then the program involved sprinting races, 3-legged races, Sack Races, Long Distance Races, Wheelbarrow races, relays in both football dribbling and in running, and a couple of events for the parents. I was a bit disappointed (and suggested an amendment to the program) that the program did not include an event for the teachers – I mean one I could acceptably take part in(!)
Lots of fun and excitement was had by the Red, Yellow and Blue teams and we had a good turn up of parents so the day was a success. Some teachers were very competitive in choosing team members and so the house line-ups well, kind of reflected this! We also got to raise some more money for the school building project, which is awesome :)
My job for the day was to record scores and write certificates – mostly went well but the spelling of some children’s names didn’t – oops! Others thought my job was boring but I loved it because it meant I got the opportunity to encourage and congratulate every single beautiful kid :D
I’m sure you’ve all seen lots of pictures of kids running so I thought I’d skip that one (main unique thing here is just the barefoot style) and show you a picture that depicts a bit of Africa, and also made everyone laugh!
One of the more light-hearted events of the MHA sports day is the traditional Mothers Bottle Race. As you see, the idea is you balance a bottle of sand on your head and have to cross the finish line first. The winner (Mrs Bulaya, a teacher) was actually running, it was quite talented!
I'm always impressed by the Zambian women I see carrying really heavy and large objects on their head. I met a friend on her way back from the boma once and asked to try carrying her load - didn't really work on my head too well, so good thing she was prepared to save the accident! I made her laugh, but I think I need to practice!
Wow Ruth that was a huge post. Thanks for all the news and the photos. Very sad about the man with leprosy. How often do you go to the village? I think I like your new pet from a distance! Praying that you are well enough to spend time with children in the hospital very soon. love, Mum
ReplyDeleteDid you have a go at the Mothers bottle race, or is strictly for the Mums? Maybe some practice on the side might be the go!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a really great blog - very much enjoying being a part of your adventure there.
Dad
thanks Mum! Today I discovered blotchiness on my arm and now I have a new tinea infection :( I'm sure the cold will go away in God's time!
ReplyDeleteI didn't go in the bottle race, as I had to watch and record scores - I think it was only mothers anyway though. They had a fathers long distance race and some of the guys (not fathers) who help at school went in that, but i thought a girl amongst the men might be a bit out of place!