Greetings from Maima, Sierra Leone!
Technical Vocational Training
-The divisions have been installed in two classrooms in preparation for the tec voc training. The primary 4 classroom will now be divided between soap-making and tailoring. The primary 3 classroom will now be divided between the primary 3 and primary 4 students.
-By Tuesday the chalkboard paint will set and the primary classroom will be fully operational. Then we can relocate the tailoring supplies to the tec voc classroom. We have gathered most of the soap-making supplies in Koidu. Once everything is fully collected, we will pay once to transport it all to the school.
-We have hired a carpenter who is at work constructing the stools, benches and tables we need for the training.
Birthday and Welcome
-We received a donation of colouring books and playing cards that Marty was able to transport with him to the orphanage. We have had some fun evenings with the children making use of them!
-It was Marty’s birthday a couple of days after he arrived at the orphanage. We were surprised to hear a mini band outside of our window at 6:30 am playing the birthday song. This turned into a spontaneous dance party with the kids.
-A couple of the nursery teachers from PDIA helped me prepare goodie bags of popcorn, shrimp crackers and juice for all the children at the school to join in the celebrations.
-In the evening, now that my husband is here, the orphanage officially welcomed us with a beautiful display of several Kono cultural songs and dances in full costume. In the end they presented us a platter of fruits and vegetables native to the local land to symbolize hospitality and gratefulness for our presence and support. This appreciation extends beyond us to all of you who have faithfully contributed to the work here. Inguoi, inguoi! (thank YOU, thank YOU!).
