Distant Dispatch from Deep inside the Dark Pearl

High time for a belatedly transcribed, yet comforting synopsis, of teaching escapade directed from Mama. Goes like dis right heere...

Winding down our last week @T.Inn, it's hard to believe a month has passed since our arrival. We kicked off the week in the classroom. I toted along a handful of books, thinking they work effectively in a Reader's Theater situation. While I narrated the stories, the other volunteers acted out the tales' various roles much to the delight of the students. The other volunteers include 4 women from the UK, ages 19-21. As Leif mentioned, he was typecast as the male actor which often meant he was big and bad. These students rarely see a book and very rarely are involved with acting of any kind. After our story and some whole group drama exercises, we broke up into smaller groups and let the kids have turns performing in front of small audiences. At first it was like pulling teeth to get them to emote in character form and to speak above a whisper but eventually they warmed up to it. The younger kids essentially mimed while the older ones read and learned lines. Often the kids perform song, dance, drawing in groups but seldom do they have the opportunity to go solo.
In his blogs, Leif described the soccer match and cross-country run. Both were well attended and spectated, a sight to behold in this remote area where few extra-curricular activities occur.
On our final day, the headmaster and the all-male staff of 8 treated us to a morning tea time. They lugged thermoses down to our place and were especially excited because they brought along fresh, warm milk from the night watchman's cow. Wince we have no electricity, thus no refrigerator, having fresh milk with tea is the ultimate treat.
Late in the pm, the school presented a musical performance to thank us for our time and to bid us farewell. It's always striking to see how fit the children are and to observe the range of musical gifts they present.
Leif and I agree the hardest part about leaving is putting a halt to our interactions with the kids. They are very appreciative of any attention they receive and are hungry to learn, realizing more knowledge may mean a path toward a better life.