Our First Book Bus Day!

*Sorry for not posting yesterday! It got a bit too late to walk up the hill where the wifi is to post it!*

Just to clarify, as many people seem concerned, we have not yet been in the pool as it is outside another house, you have to walk up a hill to get there and we haven't had time yet!!

Hello! It's been a long day today...!

Two of us were up at 5:30 so we could shower and everyone else emerged at 6am and we had to get dressed and eat breakfast super quickly so that we were ready to leave at 7:15! The school today was much closer than we anticipated and the views from the bus on the way down the mountain were incredible! 

We arrived early, but started straight away with the children that were already there. They were all smiling and seemed happy to see us! We put out the mats and split the children up into younger and older groups and then started the teaching. We read through  'Giraffe's Can't Dance' first with the older children and then allowed them to look through and read it out loud to us. Next we went through the worksheets with them and completed the craft activity- making beautiful butterflies! Once they'd finished that, we had a massive sing song and gaming session in a circle. They were all so enthusiastic and, consequently, we spent the rest of the morning singing more than doing anything else! Just before we left, we caused mayhem by whipping out our cameras! Every child wanted their photo taken and especially to see the photo afterwards so it all turned to chaos mostly...! 

We then boarded the bus and set off, with all the children still waving and smiling at us. They even ran to the road to wave as we drove past again! 

It was an incredible first day, as we were so unsure as of what to expect and how the children would behave when we were teaching them. We are all so excited now about the next two weeks ahead and it is just so humbling to know that our actions here in Malawi will make so many children laugh and smile!

When we got back to the house, we ate some massive rolls for lunch and washed up really quickly so we could go into Blantyre again. On the journey into Blantyre, it was very hard not to nod off, but the bumpy roads made sure we were jolted awake every few minutes! We went into the main shopping street first and visited a fabric shops to pick out our material for some African clothes. It took a while, but we managed to pick out some material and it is all very colourful and beautiful. We then went to Shoprite (the local shop) quickly so the leaders could buy some more water and snacks to take to the schools for the rest of the week (our food shopping cost much less than the money given to us for food and so we can use it to feed the children in the schools!) and then we stopped off at a tailors on the way home to put in our orders for skirts. They measured us and we described the sort of thing we wanted! 

Now we are home and are organising a shower rota as we don't have too much water. We are also, more importantly, busy sorting out the crafts for tomorrow and ensuring we have enough worksheets and craft templates. 

We're having a typically British dinner of sausage and mash and then I'm sure we will try and go to bed as soon as possible after that! Much tiredness! 

Now we'd thought that I'd (hi, it's Ellie here) stop writing for a bit and let you all hear personally from all the other girls in the group too!

FRANKIE

I'm glad today went well as I rarely have contact with young children and haven't sung some of the songs for quite a few years!! 

(To mum: I pretty much don't have hay fever but I still take the pill every morning.)

LAURA

Easier at school than I expected however from going to three groups of four to at least 20 was amazing how it suddenly dawned on me. Then the gratefulness of the children- I finally realised that they don't see any problem with the conditions they live in so we shouldn't feel sorry for them like some Africa help ads but they are happy.  

RACHEL

I thought that kids here would be a lot quieter and unhappier here than at home, but actually they are exactly the same. They are cheeky, loud and interested in everything. My favourite moment was when they sang loads of their songs to us. I also loved seeing them smiling and laughing! 

ELEANA

Working with children was a real reality slap. Rachel and I went from having 3 kids to around 70 in half an hour! I was amazed at how easily entertained they were, I spent about an hour at the head of a massive circle leading head, shoulders, knees and toes and simple hand actions to around 80 kids. Even my 1 -2 year olds understood counting games and the hokey kokey. It was draining keeping the books the centre of attention but it was 100% worth it!!!

LUCY (Leader!)

Working with the children today was lovely, and their English was pretty good. I really enjoyed teaching them songs and was proud of their rendition of 'heads, shoulders, knees and toes' after being taught. I think I may need to wash my feet (Lala, I have tiger stripes like jelly shoes!) but it's not my rota day, or maybe it is, I don't know. My highlight was doing the bear hunt with a massive circle - 50 children 'swirling in the wind' was quite a sight. Photos aplenty :) love to everyone I know :) xxx

KIRSTY 

Had a fantabulous Day at school today singing songs and making lots of messy crafts. Was very strange to see how different the schools here where and the children's ability. Nevertheless an amazing day! Bring on day two at school. Lots of love to everyone at home! Xxx

LOTTIE

Heya all. I'm having a great time. The kids were very good today such and amazing experience. They loved a song me and Ellie made up. Love the note, Mum about Ian and Dad and even listened to the song and did the dance! :P More notes to come YAY! Love to all xxxxxxxxx

CATHERINE

Hello everybody! Can I please just ask my family to not read the blog subsequent to this comment as Ellie's thoroughness is doing a Dad and leaving me nothing to tell you when I get home (I'm sure you'll enjoy my tales far more in person). But anyway, I'm having an amazing time and am enjoying myself tonnes ( although I am a little disappointed in you as other girls got love notes, I feel unwanted!) school was amazing today and I can definitely say that the three weeks ahead of me look bright and I anticipate them eagerly. Love you all lots (I listened to 'Hey Julie' for you mum and thought of you!) I'd say I'm missing you but I'd be lying (not really I miss you lots!) Tra for now xxxx oh and  Izzy I haven't been eaten yet! :o

CHANTE 

I just wanna shout to all my fans back at home, lol I joke. Hey everyone, how you all doing? I'm great here in the mother country of Africa, having an experience of a life time; teaching, playing, laughing and joking. Yesterday I had a day full of rest and sleep and today I was equip for the challenges that faced me. It was wonderful seeing the children smiles and eagerness to learn. Making snakes and singing songs was my main highlight, just seeing them happy and full of joy made me warm inside. I was delighted to be chosen to donate books to the school we was at today. The head teacher  was ever so grateful and the children seemed to want them straight away with "give me a book!" Oh yeah I forget to say I was sick this morning after taking my malaria tablet, whoops! But other than that having a fabulous time, missing you all loads. Give Shay and Cyrus a kiss for me. Taraa! xo

ABBIE

heya! Having a great time and can safely say that all the hard work that was put into getting me out here by all my loved ones was sooooo worth it! Prepare to receive a changed Abbie after the course of this trip! 

Thank you very much to those close to me who wrote comments on this blog. I had a bit of a down moment earlier when we had to leave our first school this morning but when I thought back to your comments they really cheered me up. Would love to receive more comments and hear any of your news as well as you hearing ours! Oh! Purely for Lizzie's benefit I have not yet sat on any Hippos. Yet! 

Wishing you were all here to share this amazing experience with me. You will all be getting big hugs and kisses when I get back but I warn those of you who will be (if you still want me) picking me up from the airport I probably won't be smelling the best... Our shower situation combined with the amount of dust we get in our clothes and hair when we go out means a slightly smelly Abbie! 

Loads of love, kisses and cuddles to you all! Looking forward to speaking to you again soon! Toodles! :P xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

(Little) VICKY 

Don't really know what to say, Ellie has said it all really! Just really enjoying myself, having great fun and can't wait for tomorrow and do it all again. Would say to mum and dad that I m missing you but your probably not reading this anyway, and to be honest haven't thought about it, I m sure your not missing me anyway.oh and mum does it have to be death by hippo or can I find some other interesting way to die? Maybe swallowed whole by a snake? Or fall off the edge of cliff while taking an outside shower? And no Harry we have not seen a pygmy giraffe ;) Anyway probably said enough now so bye bye xxx

(Little) LUCY

Hi Guys! Having lots of fun and would say I miss you but you know I don't so... Also feeling a tad unloved without any notes (sobs dramatically) but I'm sure you'll be able to make it up to me when I get back (within time time I'm back at least!) 

Hope Portugal is fun, lots of golf and sunbathing, reading etc. but I bet there's no outdoor shower with a view!!!  Please say you haven't been in my room yet Dad, it will be done when I'm back!!!!!!!!

Looking forwards to the next couple of weeks and really enjoying everyone's comments on here- keep them coming please! 

Sending hugs xxx

ELLIE

Hello! I hope you have been enjoying my blog posts everyone! I loved your comments Mumma, Daddy and Faith and Cathefrina so plz comment because I'm currently managing to read them and they make me happy and smiley instead of making me cry because I miss you. I am having so much fun, it's SO GOOD here and the mountains are beautiful, the views are stunning and everyone is really friendly. Mum and Faith, please don't expect clothing presents, because it's been measured to fit, but I've bought some material to bring home instead yay! So we can sew clothes together Mumma...? ;) Frinkley, Jonathan and Ruth I hope you are still enjoying your holiday and the weather is lovely?! Mumma, I hope WS planning is going well, Daddy I hope work is bearable and you have been on some nice bicycle rides and Buba, I hope you are having loads of fun HOLIDAYING woo! I love you and miss you all, but I'm doing the everyday blogging so it's still me talking! Xxxxxxxx

P.S I've introduced boob tension to the holiday Cathefrina XOXO

Others will be writing comments another day!