Second week working on the projects



Kate, Lois and I at church

 

I can’t believe the second week of working on the Smile projects has gone so fast! I'm loving getting to know the children and families we are working with and as a team, we are excited about what God is doing through Smile's work. Time really does fly quickly here but I think that’s because we are so busy. In my previous blogs, I have been introducing the different projects that we are working on. This week, I thought I’d write a day by day account to give you an idea of the routine we have settled into.

Monday 19th- We returned to Family Believer’s Church in Nabulagala to run the catch up class for preschool children and children who are unable to go to school. Whilst last week was mainly just an introductory session to start the season again, this week we started a programme of teaching. Gabit (one of the volunteers) and I taught the alphabet from the front whilst Lois and Kate helped supervise the children. We used alphabet flashcards that I created at home and made up words actions to go with each letter e.g. emulating the action of an elephant’s trunk for the letter ‘e.’ The children seemed to enjoy the actions so I hope that will help them to remember the letters better.

Tuesday 20th- We returned to Ruth Mother Care for our third day there. In the morning I taught P2 class comprehension by reading a Ugandan fairy tale type story for the first lesson and then moved onto teaching units of measurements. Last week I was given a textbook to plan a lesson from, so I bought in a tape measure (I knew it would come in useful somehow when I was packing!) and cooking weighing scales with me to demonstrate units of measurement visually. I measured the height of each of the children in the class and then weighed some of their exercise books. In the afternoon, I taught both P2 and P3 the months of the year and how many days there are in each month. The lesson was 2 hours so after a while I ran out of different ways to present and test it so we ended up playing hangman of the different months!

Teaching measurements to P2

 

Measuring height

Telling the children their height

Teaching definitions of length and height

 

Wednesday 21st- Today I spent most of my day at Ruth Mother Care teaching maths to P2 class. I think I have learnt the names of the children in P2 now as that is the class I’ve been spending the most time in. Firstly, we revised the basics of fractions and then practised adding and subtracting fractions.  I was impressed with their understanding as I hadn’t even been taught what a fraction is at that age. In the afternoon I taught sounds in nursery section, focusing on words with the sound ‘a’ in them e.g. man, can and van. I really love the school and teaching there.
 

 In the evening Kate and I went to the youth fellowship at Kampala Baptist Church, where we watched a thought provoking film called ‘The Good Lie’ about refugees from Sudan who are given the chance to seek asylum in America. I'd recommend it if you haven't watched it.

 

Thursday 22nd- We went on community outreach in Nabulagala again but this time Kate and I went with Gabit. I am just so in awe of the faith the families we visit display despite their circumstances. It was good to meet some of the families of the children who have been attending the catch up class and children’s club and pray with them.

Kate and I enjoyed our second choir practice for the Christmas production at KBC and are feeling all Christmassy now! The songs are about 70% English and 30% Lugandan.

Kate and Gabit walking back up the hill to the Smile house

 

 Friday 23rd- Instead of returning to Nabulagala today, we ran a children’s club closer to home in a church called Blessed Word of Life. After some songs and games, Innocent taught the story of ‘Daniel and the Lion’s Den’ in Luganda with the aid of my story book. We finished off by giving out colouring sheets of Daniel and lollipops. It was also an exciting day because Innocent took me to the post office to collect two parcels from home. I now have English chocolate and more importantly, a replacement bank card (see my earlier posts for more about that) Thank you mum!

In the evening Kate and I went to the youth choir rehearsal, which was good fun as we learnt some new songs and some familiar ones from home.

 

Saturday 24th- We had intended to have a lie in today as working during the day and then going out to KBC every evening from Wednesday to Friday is exhausting (although very worth it!) However, I had another problem with my card as it had been swallowed by the ATM on Friday so I ended up making a trip back there early in the morning, with poor Kate having to come with me. Thank you Kate for giving up your lie in- I am lucky to have such kind team members! I have yet to test the card again so please pray that I won't have any more problems with it.

In the afternoon, we went to the youth service at KBC.

Sunday- Sunday was our lazy day! We went to a youth social called Meltdown at KBC in the evening, where there was a games night behind held. It was good to continue to get to know more of the youth.

Me attempting to play table tennis at Meltdown

Waiting for a taxi after Meltdown

 

Please pray for:

• Kate as she has had a sore throat this week and had to miss going to the children's clubs on Friday.
• Our energy levels as we continue to work on the projects.
• My laptop to be fixed as soon as possible as it is hard to keep in contact with home and write blogs etc. without it.

Thank you so much for  your prayers and encouragement! I will post another update soon as I am a week behind.