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Fires, school runs and safari
Posted by: Tom Luke on 12 February 2008
Friday 6th Feb, busy day today - began clearing out an old room full of rubbish to make a library for the kids. Jan sorted everything out, whilst Martin and I started a bonfire to burn it all. What is it about men and fires? We were as happy as sandboys standing round this heap of blazing rubbish all day. Kids came back at 3.00 and we started a home-work club for them, which they seemed to enjoy, especially the individual attention they received.
Saturday we drove for a couple of hours to the nearest safari park to try and catch a glimpse of some of Africa's 'Big 5". Spent three hours driving over rough terrain (why can't these wild animals live closer to the main roads?). Finally caught up with a herd of giraffes, and seeing them in their natural environment made it all worthwhile.
Sunday we went to church - well I've got to, haven't I! It was quite an experience too, as the whole thing was held in a school hall, there were about 500 present, and the average age was well into the early twenties. It made a pleasant change for me to be one of the oldest ones there, instead of the youngest by about twenty years! Spent the rest of Sunday recovering from the experience!
Monday 11th - back to the bonfire, getting used to 'African Time', why take one day to do a job when 10 will do? School run in the afternoon, this time driving one of the 8-seaters, did two trips with a total of 23 kids, plus the wife! Homework Club was excellent, many more of them turned up. We'd printed worksheets for them and spent an hour or so helping them with their work. It was a real delight, the kids are so friendly and well-mannered, can't believe it would be the same back home, especially as we are working in an old hall that is falling apart, the kids are seated at desks about 50 years old, and their writing materials are basic to say the least.
