July 23

We are all here at Kahembe guest house after our dinner doing our best to fashion a kind of mocha tea drink. The kids are writing in their journals, Dan, Lucas and John are involved in a competitive game of cribbage, Ali and Haylie have made bracelets for everyone from the seisel plant that we picked up today. I am trying with little success to connect to the internet. We have to check in with work.

Anna says for me to add how strange she feels that everyone at the Sinai school knows her name and surrounds her always. It is true. They love her - she has a kind of calmness and attracts the children. They are fascinated by her hair, poise and something. Anna is amazing here.

The amazing Ali (and friends!) mural is done on the wall of classroom one. We finish everything tomorrow - a whole classroom. The mural reads Woodland Hill - Sinai School 2009. You will all see it soon!

Time is so different here and for that reason alone the trip is transformative. We walked today to a crater lake made by volcano. All ask to see photos because words can not say. The same kids that were carrying water from there in November were there today and we recognized each other.

We were of course at the school with more projects, soccer, painting, lessons, play and interaction. Everyone is saying they can not believe we have just one day left with our friends and the kids.
We went again in groups o home visits of the pupils.

Probably the most memorable event was the visit to the secondary school where graduates of Sinai school go if they pass exams in September. The school is 10 miles away and NONE of the kids have transportation. The walk takes about 2 hours. They presented to us - only teachers and John and I went. The kids asked though that we talk of water. We asked then to show us where and we walked about one kilometer to a shallow bed where the kids made holes out of which they scoop water. They throw away the first bucket and take the second. At best there is some sand filtration. They told us that if they wait for refill they get sick sometimes but it makes them sick mostly.

These 260 kids walk over four hours a day to and from a school that has no water and teaches only in English, which is standard) which really none of them know. We were so moved by their determination for education, we are adding a visit tomorrow and bringing everyone there after lunch.
A special lunch is planned and a community celebration. Can't write anymore - thumbs hurt!