We have about a 2 hour drive to our first remote school of the day on a mixture of rough road and tarmac. Its strictly 4x4 territory out here with punishing road conditions on the rough roads, layers of dust being kicked up by the convoy making it very hard to see let alone shoot pictures.
With such thick dust on the bumpy roads we stop en route just to check everyone's still here and our wheels are still inflated. All present and correct! Onwards!
Macongco is a small rural school with 7 teachers and 182 learners. The project is in its 3rd year. Previous resources, Teacher Guides and Learners Books were well received as this is the first time they have had so many books at the correct levels. Teachers here have a positive attitude towards implementation in th classrooms and are open to learning and improving their teaching practice.
As we arrive at the school gates the childen run to greet the sponsors. Theres also a large amount of parents here who are equally enthusiastic with their welcome as the teams start to unload the vehicles.
The art of scarification is only really evident in rural areas such as this, its a lot less popular than years ago. At a very young age children are given facial patterns to identity one tribal group from another.
Introductions are made by the teachers and the children. They have gone to a great deal of effort making hand painted banners welcoming the sponsors.
Mark our team leader for the day then introduces this years sponsors followed by a traditional and somewhat energetic dance by the pupils.
The children then take to the stage to perform a series of small shows speaking very good English under the watchful eye of their teacher.
Thobile from READ then gives the crowd a breakdown of the contents of the freshly delivered materials. Giving the children a varied learning experience is essential to their development so along with the books theres also sports equipment for football and cricket.
As she makes her presentation a few of the mothers randomly dance and ululate across the stage, its very clear that the Rally is making a immense difference to this small school and the enthusiasm from the teachers and parents alike is a delight for all to watch.
Thobile from READ then presents a football outfit to one of the pupils.
I had noticed as I arrived that the poor guy had a massive black eye. Unfortunately phsical abuse is not uncommon with many pupils having very hard and tough home lives. Its a timely reminder that education isn't the only challenge these children have to deal with. I earlier heard a heart wrenching story from a sponsor regarding a girl at one of the schools. They had noticed a small unhappy child in the corner of the playground on her own. Upon meeting her the sponsor had given the girl some sweets.... as she took the sweets she spat out what she had been eating... stones... without food sucking minerals from rocks was her only choice...so sad and indicative of problems faced by poorer children in remote areas of Africa everyday. Thankfully for today at least the Rally's feeding program will be giving each child a proper meal.
Following the presentation of the Rally's certificate and pledge the children perform a series of readings. Its then time for one of our sponsors to start a "Hula Hoop" competition with the children. Hoops at the ready the pupils start to wiggle. The joy on the contestants faces is a picture as some pupils "Hula Hoop" for their first time.
After we are taken on a tour of the classrooms now adorned with the pupils art works. 2 years ago walls were blank here but now these tiny classrooms reflect the enthusiasm teachers and pupils now have. Its all very encouraging stuff as the children demonstrate their new found skills to the sponsors .
Slight hitch before we leave and say our goodbyes, one of our vehicles has developed a puncture but the wheel is quickly changed by our expert pit crew and we are on our way once again.
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💖😊🤞👑
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