Aluta Continua - Tuesday, 06 April 2010,By Chris Parkyn
Today was different, a day that is a big life box ticker that will always leave a mark on me also I hope my friends on this trip. The day started as normal, getting up which always involves fighting your way out of the mossy net. Changed, showered and ready for a breakfast which is simple but lovely, after scoffing that down we got on the bus to Bukeka School which is 45 minutes away form were we are staying which does not sound much but the roads are more than in disrepair with holes that would even scare a 4x4, as the bus bounced from side to side like a fair ground ride we came to a vast open green area it was tea trees acres and acres of it.
Once we had gone though P.G heaven and left monkey there we arrived at the school in one piece thanks to Rogers, what a driver he knows his stuff. Anyway getting off the bus we are greeted by 150 kids singing a welcome song with them in class line all smart and tidy, clothes clean; remember this is a place which has not much clean drinking water but yet their clothes are lovely and clean - amazing. The Head master with her four teachers were greeting us as well and once they had finished singing and introducing themselves, Livy, the school director, who gave his own house and ground to build the school so village children could have a better start in life. Kindness like that can only be found in very hopeless places. On this property there is a toilet for the kids and teachers, a cooking hut and also with help from charities such as ours, a four class room building. This was put up by scouts helping the area and doing a great job. The school did make a little change to its toilets so that now he has a guest toilet which only gets used once every two years! Don't think it is much - all it is I would say is the bit you sit on but better than a hole to flush two litres of water down it - simple but effective.
After having a tour of the school with the head master and having each class welcome us in their own way with singing and dancing, Livy then took us to the local drinking well and the best I can say is it is dirty with stuff growing in it and not right in the 21st century world to allow this happen. Once over the shock of that we were moved on to more positive things that we can do to help them. Livy explained what he wanted and he showed us where the play ground would be then showed us with excitement what he had bought. The swings, roundabout, see saw and climbing frame were fantastic - kid you not they are painted in bright different colours ,look the part and will brighten the place up so much.
After getting to know where everything is it was the groups' turn to interact with the kids and have fun, we pumped some balls up and their faces light up it was like Christmas for them. The girls got net balls and started playing with them, footballs got pumped up and kicked around they loved it, a bell went like any school time for lunch and food was brought out. The kids got in a long neat line, no pushing nothing it was lovely to see. Then sods law kicked in and big black clouds came over head and from lovely sun shine to heavy rain with dramatic thunder and lighting, the food got moved in to one of the classrooms where the food was served. What we had was rice, boiled potatoes and this purple stuff which looked foul but was peanut butter sauce lovely. After eating and chatting to the teachers in one classroom this drum beat started. At this point it is still raining heavily and not everyone heard the drum beat over the rain. So being me and from Devon and very nosey I went to have a look in the other room and there with no assistance there where the kids danced and played the drums. After seeing this crazy act I went back to tell everyone what they were doing and they all moved to have a look. Luke and I along with a couple of others started to dance and join in - what a school boy error! What happened was somehow we got challenged to a dance off and had to put on us these grass skirts - yes a skirt. The centre of the room got cleared and the music stopped and a teacher started to explain what we were going to try and do and we realisied what we had got ourselves into. The drumbeat started and the school children went first and showed off their moves, what show offs and now it was our turn - pride of Britain, off we went and as soon as we moved the room burst out laughing great start as soon as we finished the kids done another load of moves even more impressive than before they then stopped to look at us. The spot light was on us and we done ok I think some people were still standing not lying on the floor crying. The rain stopped and it was time to leave, we said good bye and headed home now though with the roads being made of mud it was very slippery and Rogers found it very hard driving back,and nearly got stuck a couple of times. At one point the rear of the bus was over taking the front but Rogers being GREAT never panicked and did good. Overall a great day and can't wait for tomorrow.
Thanks
Chris Parkyn
Once we had gone though P.G heaven and left monkey there we arrived at the school in one piece thanks to Rogers, what a driver he knows his stuff. Anyway getting off the bus we are greeted by 150 kids singing a welcome song with them in class line all smart and tidy, clothes clean; remember this is a place which has not much clean drinking water but yet their clothes are lovely and clean - amazing. The Head master with her four teachers were greeting us as well and once they had finished singing and introducing themselves, Livy, the school director, who gave his own house and ground to build the school so village children could have a better start in life. Kindness like that can only be found in very hopeless places. On this property there is a toilet for the kids and teachers, a cooking hut and also with help from charities such as ours, a four class room building. This was put up by scouts helping the area and doing a great job. The school did make a little change to its toilets so that now he has a guest toilet which only gets used once every two years! Don't think it is much - all it is I would say is the bit you sit on but better than a hole to flush two litres of water down it - simple but effective.
After having a tour of the school with the head master and having each class welcome us in their own way with singing and dancing, Livy then took us to the local drinking well and the best I can say is it is dirty with stuff growing in it and not right in the 21st century world to allow this happen. Once over the shock of that we were moved on to more positive things that we can do to help them. Livy explained what he wanted and he showed us where the play ground would be then showed us with excitement what he had bought. The swings, roundabout, see saw and climbing frame were fantastic - kid you not they are painted in bright different colours ,look the part and will brighten the place up so much.
After getting to know where everything is it was the groups' turn to interact with the kids and have fun, we pumped some balls up and their faces light up it was like Christmas for them. The girls got net balls and started playing with them, footballs got pumped up and kicked around they loved it, a bell went like any school time for lunch and food was brought out. The kids got in a long neat line, no pushing nothing it was lovely to see. Then sods law kicked in and big black clouds came over head and from lovely sun shine to heavy rain with dramatic thunder and lighting, the food got moved in to one of the classrooms where the food was served. What we had was rice, boiled potatoes and this purple stuff which looked foul but was peanut butter sauce lovely. After eating and chatting to the teachers in one classroom this drum beat started. At this point it is still raining heavily and not everyone heard the drum beat over the rain. So being me and from Devon and very nosey I went to have a look in the other room and there with no assistance there where the kids danced and played the drums. After seeing this crazy act I went back to tell everyone what they were doing and they all moved to have a look. Luke and I along with a couple of others started to dance and join in - what a school boy error! What happened was somehow we got challenged to a dance off and had to put on us these grass skirts - yes a skirt. The centre of the room got cleared and the music stopped and a teacher started to explain what we were going to try and do and we realisied what we had got ourselves into. The drumbeat started and the school children went first and showed off their moves, what show offs and now it was our turn - pride of Britain, off we went and as soon as we moved the room burst out laughing great start as soon as we finished the kids done another load of moves even more impressive than before they then stopped to look at us. The spot light was on us and we done ok I think some people were still standing not lying on the floor crying. The rain stopped and it was time to leave, we said good bye and headed home now though with the roads being made of mud it was very slippery and Rogers found it very hard driving back,and nearly got stuck a couple of times. At one point the rear of the bus was over taking the front but Rogers being GREAT never panicked and did good. Overall a great day and can't wait for tomorrow.
Thanks
Chris Parkyn
