The World as a Stage: .... Jumping Right In and Getting My Feet Dirty!

As you can see, I've been hard at work at home and in the field!

It's been a wild ride since I’ve arrived in Nairobi 7 days ago!

Within 12 hours of stepping off the plane, Trisa and I were on our way to Sud Academy, where students were patiently awaiting our arrival. We were greeted excitedly by staff and students, with big hugs and funny handshakes. Then the choir and its leader sang sweet songs of farewell to Trisa, with the reminder to come again, and of welcome to me, telling me they were happy that I’ve come back to them! Their performance was followed by many speeches by the Headmaster, Deputy Headmaster, several staff members and the school captain. Their speeches were so full of appreciation for our hard work and commitment, and our supporters in Canada, that it was a bit embarrassing at times! One teacher likened our duo to Jesus and the Holy Spirit; another reminded students to listen to us not just because we are white, but human beings too; the school captain reminded students that even though we are short, we are women of substance and know many things, and thus we are actually tall and can see the sky. To top it off, another teacher suggested that when Trisa returns, she should bring a large plane to take everyone back to Canada with her. It truly was a great assembly full of laughs and smiles and certainly made me feel happy to be back!

UP: Students interested to see what I'm talking to the Secondary students about.

DOWN: More nosey cuties await me & my camera outside the Headmaster's office- "photo, photo!"

We also met that first day with Dan the Contractor who has been doing work at Sud for the last few weeks. With heavy rains expected any day now, several trenches were dug in and around the school to divert rain water to the land below. Typically when it rains, the lower classrooms flood and render the classrooms unusable- not anymore!

Dan and I have met several times since then to discuss the rain water catchment system that is desperately needed in order to provide water for washing, drinking and cooking. The plans are coming along well and are set to commence before the end of the week! We are in a race against the rains, but are taking our time with measurements, plans, logistics, placement, etc., as well as anticipating & solving potential issues before it's too late!

UP: Contractor Dan, Headmaster Bosco & I near the newly dug pit for a 10,000ltr water tank.
DOWN: Measuring how high the tank will stand-- too high! Rethink location: we're on it!

DOWN: Discussing alternative locations for the tank... took a while, but we sorted it out. Serious teamwork.

I’ve also had meetings with the staff to discuss some minor administrative issues, and a serious talk with Form 3 (Gr. 11) students about our game plan for Form 4 (Gr. 12). They are set to enter Gr. 12 in January, 2010, but lack the facilities to do so. I leveled with them and said I am working on getting funding to build a science lab for practical lessons, but that it's costly and may not happen in time for the new school year. I encouraged them to continue working hard and to have a bit of patience. Lino, a Form 4 student who used to attend Sud Academy, was there waiting for me and heard this discussion. He reminded the students that patience pays- “if you are patient, then you must be paid, something must and will eventually happen, so please, just be patient.” Wise words, Lino! I'm dreaming of beakers, chemicals, and lab rats- seriously!

UP: Buds forever, former Sud students & 2 of the "Form 4 Boys" hold hands to show friendship. Dennis(L) gave up his spot in boarding so that Lino(R) wouldn't have to make the lengthy & risky commute to school daily.

DOWN: Francis of the "Form 4 Boys" & I goofing around. We're pumped, can you tell?

I have also been trying to track down the owner of the Sudan Mirror, a Sudanese newspaper I’d like to write some more articles for over the next few months. Dan (#2) is tough to get a hold of, but when you do, it’s well worth the wait! I plan to see him tomorrow at his office to propose an article on water projects at Sud Academy and those funded by Canadian Aid for Southern Sudan in several villages across southern Sudan. I’ll be going to Sudan with a couple CASS volunteers in a few short weeks! Alex Lau, Lynn Blumas and I will visit several water project sites to deliver bottles, monitor progress and talk about challenges and successes with the locals who are benefiting from clean water and sanitation. We’ll also visit an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp to get a sense of the mood & climate in the tumultuous region as they approach groundbreaking elections and a referendum on independence next year. I’ll be documenting my trip and impressions here on my blog!

This week has been a whirlwind of busy so I won’t bore you with the details--- just know that Sud Academy is a bustling school brimming with determined, bright, impressionable minds. I hope our projects and the “noise” we are all raising about Sud will benefit this generation- they are the worthy architects of a New Sudan.

Lastly, I’d like to thank all the groups, individuals, businesses and schools that are helping our efforts at Sud. There are so many, and you know who you are. Particularly, I’d like to thank the schools in St. Thomas- St. Joe’s, my stomping ground, and Mrs. Wendel-Caraher's students at John Wise! Let’s do a city wide challenge! London locations of Staples and 3M Post-It Brand continue to stock us with supplies, so many thanks! I spoke at Rotary Clubs in London and Strathroy before I left about the work I'm doing- I hope I’ve inspired you to follow along with my journey here. I'm looking forward to giving you all an update and discovering how our relationship can blossom! There are many more people to thank, but not enough space to do so, but please know that the students, even more than I, appreciate your help infinitely.

Asante sana for reading, and I promise that upcoming posts will NOT be this long! Phew, eh?

Funny Anecdote: So many amusing things have happened that I could relate to you, and although this is not funny to me, I’m sure it will be to all of you. I have been “complimented” at least a dozen times with exclamations of “Oh, you went home to Canada and ate well and have become so fat! You look beautiful! So fat! Really, you have grown”. It’s getting harder to smile and say “Oh really? Thank you so much, really, that's very nice to say, thank you!” But T-I-A, as the expats say: