Chileleko Community School

I realise I was unaware of another important travel rule:take ear-plugs. Staying in a campsite is not a haven of peace and quiet, not helped by the somewhat raucous nature of the camp-site owner and his cronies; and sweet dreams are not enhanced by the presence of the camp security light directly positioned behind my tent, making my sleeping quarters resemble one of those cells where they torment prisoners by keeping the light on all the time. But hey, this is all about challenge...tomorrow I may be able to move my tent down the line as one volunteer leaves and I will no longer be the newest recruit.

Today was my first day in school (yesterday was a national day of mourning for the ex-president of Zambia, Frederick Chiluba - a bit like having a day of mourning for Tony Blair I suppose. Everywhere was shut and even though he had been prosecuted for corruption, his death was obviously taken very seriously) I went along mainly as helper today, as it was really my first day of book bus proper. We had to go in blue taxis as the road to this village (not far out of Livingstone) has been partially washed away in places and the bus cannot negotiate it. A community school is one run set up by local people for children whose parents cannot afford to send them to the state school. I am not sure if there are fees as such for the state schools, but you have to wear a uniform and buy books and exercise books etc, beyond the reach of many. The school is in a small concrete building with about three classrooms - the teacher writes up the work on the blackboard and the children copy it down -and that's it mostly.School is for one lot of children in the  mornings and another lot in the afternoon because of the shortage of classrooms. We set up on mats outside under the trees and each age group has a session lasting an hour. Again, red dust everywhere and by the end of the morning, my trousers were covered - so you're right about the white trousers Rosie! Often the reading is done "together" so the teacher reads a couple of words aloud and the children repeat them, following the words in the book with their finger. After the book, there are crafty activities linked in some way to the subject matter - this group of volunteers are very hot on their animal masks and headbands so I'll have a lot to live up to.

The children were shy but some very friendly and keen. Writing their names on a piece of masking tape which they stuck on helped with names, as some are so unfamiliar. It was the last day for one of the other volunteers and the boys had asked her for a football which she left with the teacher, to be kept at school for everyone. As we left, I saw a group of children playing with a a ball made out of what looked like scrunched up newspaper, so I am sure it will be appreciated. Back to camp now to prepare my first sessions for tomorrow - elephants with trunks that swing maybe - or butterflies? Planning them will help while away the night-times in the tent at any rate.