Teacha Teacha!

In this past week, I've:

- faced my fear of being in the centre of a dance circle

- taught an impromptu PE class to 60+ students 

- sat with teachers gathered around the radio anxiously awaiting news of an impending teachers' strike

- developed a strange, almost-but-not-quite Kenyan English accent in an effort to help my students understand me -- whatever it is, it seems to do the trick!

- successfully drummed on a cupboard, keeping beat to my students' singing - I think they were definitely surprised that I could, given the astonished looks and requests for a solo!

I find it both hilarious and discomfiting to receive so much extra attention simply because I am a mzungu (white person) - the children, both at school, and in the village, will run up to both Leah and I, shaking hands over and over, touching hair, brushing our arms... I suppose in some ways it's a blessing, really, because it also makes them extra attentive in class, wondering what we will say next! I've had a standard 5 class pull me into their classroom during a free period just to talk and teach each other songs, and a standard 4 class ask me to teach them PE. The only trouble is when they all run up at once, sharing their names, and then later return to ask, "Teacha, what is my name?" "Teacha, and me, what is mine?" Some common ones for girls are Arbe, Adho, Tallasso, and Kame. Let's just say that memorizing over 300 names is no small task, but at least it makes us feel very welcomed :) 

Some of Standard 7A :)

Overall, it's been a wonderful week. The girls at the Kalacha Nomadic Girls' School, where I have been teaching health education to standards 6, A&B, 7, A&B, 8, A&B, are fantastic, and love to sing a song (or 2 or 3) at the end of each lesson. Upon requests that I teach them a song, I've brought out "Romans 16:19 - Be excellent, at what is good, be innocent, of evil" etc., one of my favourites from camp, and they love it, with all the fun actions (for those of you who are familiar with it)!

But now, for the big, and very sad news: 

The Kenyan teachers' strike is now in effect; it started off down country a little while ago, and officially spread to the schools up north as of this week, with Kalacha Primary School shutting down Wednesday, and the Nomadic Girls' School shutting down on Thursday. The standard 8 classes are remaining at both schools, so Leah and I are hoping to continue to help out as they review for their big, final examination (standard 8 is the final year of primary school, before they move on to secondary education). There are many other opportunities to serve in the village as well. I may help out Susanna, a missionary nurse who is affiliated with both AIM and a German organization, doing whatever needs doing at the dispensary, and continuing to get to know local families. We shall see what all falls into place. Most of the teachers think the strike will not last long - it seems that the government is listening, from what I've heard on the radio, but you never really know for sure with these things. Prayers are appreciated, as it is discouraging to have one's main area of service so cut off! I do believe, however, that things will work out for the best, and I am looking forward to seeing what alternate opportunities present themselves for as long as the strike lasts. 

In the meantime, I must be off - our friend Doke has graciously invited Leah and I to a traditional Gabra wedding, even allowing for pictures, so bright colours, camels, a feast, and who knows how many hours of singing ahead! It starts at 3pm, and the bride is presented is at 4:30am. Wish us luck ;)