Going into week five means that our volunteers start their third and final Rota on the school and kindi volunteering projects. With some excellent classes taught in both elements of the projects to date, no one was about to let that standards slip. With three out of the four teachers going into MDS having spent last week in kindi, this gave them a chance to go across into school in the afternoon to get a feel for the classes they would soon be leading themselves. Having already spent a week and a half teaching class 4, Will decided that he would like to continue at least one more week in there as he has saw some excellent progress with his lessons and has formed a real bond with the kids. Bertie spent a few afternoons helping Charlotte in class 5 & 6 last week and so was well prepared for what was in store. He easily picked up were Charlotte left off which is no mean feat and settled into his new role as a teacher really well. In true Scottish style some of his lessons could be heard at the other side of the school complex!
Angela and Lucy also braved the task of taking on classes 7 & 8 with the help of Master Mika. Again having spent a few afternoons in this class the previous week both were soon in control of the class much to the delight of Master Mika. After Amy had introduced these classes to their selected speech for the public speaking element of the house cup competition, Angela and Lucy then decided to go further into the meaning and purpose of Martin Luther King’s speech with some excellent history classes which the children and even Master Mika found very insightful. The next two weeks are sure to be of huge benefit to the kids of MDS with another wide range of lessons coming from all our teachers and their wide and varied knowledge. To finish the week off both our school and kindi teachers took part in the house quiz with one volunteer joining each of the houses and answering questions set by the team leaders. Will, Bertie, Angela and Johnny all joined their respective houses and in the end Kikau came away comfortable winners. No doubt will be out to impress in next week’s quiz.
This week saw Johnny, Polly and Sarah taking on the task of controlling up to 25 kids in kindi. Having already spent the first Rota in there, Sarah and Polly knew what to expect so Johnny soon settled in and having been in class 4 had a good idea of how energetic these Fijian kids can be. Again some new songs were introduced in circle time and the teachers came up with some great new ways to help the kids learn colors, shapes and numbers. In arts and crafts it was decided to create a wall display of a huge fruit bowl which everyone had a great fun making. The work done by all our teachers in kindi is clear to see with the improvement in each of the kids abilities in every subject.
Having spent the entire first two Rota’s on the build, Ollie was quick to help Amy, Memphis and Charlotte settle into a rhythm. This week’s aims were to complete the walling and continue with the flooring. With one pod outside helping Jack the walling was finished by Tuesday afternoon which brought about a real sense of completion about the building. Everyone could then concentrate on the flooring and by midweek Ollie and Charlotte were laying the final boards to the left side of the floor and then set about making the four doors and thirteen windows needed. Memphis and Amy showed some excellent skill in continuing the right side of the floor and if they keep this pace up will have the entire floor complete by early next week. While working away everyone still manages to have some fun on the build singing along to favorites being played on the local radio stations or sometimes being belted out by leaders Ray and Ronnie.
On Friday night neighbouring village Niubasaga paid the team a visit to see the hall and join them in grog and hop hop. A great night was had by everyone, with most of the team staying up until midnight as their love for hop hop grows every week much to the delight of the village. Early next morning it was onto the boats for a well deserved trip to Fiji’s old capital Levuka. Here everyone stocked up on treats for themselves and sent a few emails home on what will be their last chance until we reach the mainland in three weeks. On their return to the village a few of our gap year volunteers joined some of the village boys on another night fishing trip which again was an awesome experience and one which is sure to be repeated before the end of this project.
