Strikes, Jigsaw Riots and Sunset Football

Another week and the teachers are still on strike, but this does not affect the enthusiasm of our pupils, every school we visit, whether there are teachers present or not we find kids wanting to learn. A poignant moment yesterday was when I and another volunteer walked into a small straw and mud classroom at Nakatindi community school which we expected to be empty to be confronted by 40 teacher-less grade 5 children sitting quietly who erupted into shouts of “Teach us something madam!” That wouldn’t happen in the UK!!

So 2 weeks into my life on the Bookbus and here I am sitting on the Bus at Linda Community school surrounded by the sounds of kids in class singing and others laughing and playing and the everyday lives of Zambians passing by on the street. The sun is high and the sky is brilliant blue! The volunteers are sitting on their mats with their groups of grade 5s doing a variety of activities from acting, singing, drawing and reading! Everyone is smiling!!