Day 9 - Malota Community School

Volunteers were feeling better and we arrived at Malota as a team armed with balls, a frisbee and 10 litres of squash! This was not without incident, however, as the first aider took a tumble 5 metres from the lodge when attempting to simultaneously cycle and film our journey to project. This job was quickly reappointed to her trusted sidekick. Don't fret the original footage has not been lost and will be circulated soon.

Hokey cokey

We were joined by Japanese volunteers and in crocodile fashion we headed to the local field where we began our morning of sports. Once again the 'Barefeet' boys stepped up and as always enjoyed setting us challenges . . . this time in the form of leading the songs in the local language, nyanja. Relay races were particularly enjoyed. We got out the old classics including 'under and over' and wheelbarrow races. Games of football and bulldog finished us off in the African heat and we headed back to school; but not before a massive round of the hokey cokey! 

Football

 Back in the classroom the volunteers completed HIV teaching with grades 6 and 7. It was impressive to see how quickly the teenagers settled down and engaged with the session. Once again information appeared to be retained.

We returned in the afternoon where the 'Barefeet' boys were practicing their dramas. Their British and Japanese impressions were particularly amusing. Jack Titley soon got roped in and admirably improvised a scene regarding the stigma surrounding malaria. 

THE poncho (look out Matticks!)

Four volunteers, who didn't get the opportunity previously, were shown around Malota compound by Clement. It was an incredible privilege to be welcomed into the locals' homes. Sat at the end of an elder's bed another surreal moment in Africa occurred when Kate Mattick made the impromptu purchase of a knitted poncho . . . family members be warned - this may appear in your next stocking!  

After a meeting and update with Dream Livingstone, we fondly said goodbye to Kennedy who heads north tomorrow for his sister's wedding. Thank you for all your help and enjoy!

The 'Barefeet' boys will be joining us in Sunbird this evening for drinks, games and story telling.

"You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation." Plato