Day 11 - Give Me Oil In My Lamp

The morning started early again today, up and ready to conquer the world at 6am! The trishore collected me at 7:15, along with Shalu and Vanuja which was great fun. Shalu was hanging out of the side for the most part of the journey - she's a little monkey, but a bundle of joy!

We headed to assembly as soon as we arrived at school and I was asked to teach the children a new worship song: "Give me oil in my Lamp" which was great fun. Miss Reenashree needed some assistance with the tune and words, but we got there in the end! Hopefully when I next return they'll have the song perfected and can really impress me.

Alongside this I taught them one of my favourite moral stories from when I was growing up my grandparents taught me: The Lion & The Mouse. They really enjoyed this and I think especially for the younger children it was great for them to discover that no matter how small or young they are, they can use their kind, generous and selfless qualities to help older children or even adults.

I spent this morning in Miss Reenashree's class mainly focussing on maths problems with Princy and Deluxshana which was in itself a slight challenge for me! It was good to get my brain going again though.

We spent a bit of time as well at the local Hindu (government) school practicing for the Sports Day which is held between the two local schools. It is a great partnership between the two, and offers a sense of community and friendship between faiths, political views and families.

Again, the teachers offered me food for a morning snack, lunch and after school treats, which were very welcome! Spicy coconut, curries and all types of bread.

After school I headed straight to the children's home for another couple of hours teaching with the older girls. Jana seems to be picking up my teaching fairly quickly and it's great to see. It's a shame I'm only here for a couple of weeks - imagine what we could achieve with a couple of months! This evening was rather relaxed, playing games with the kids and eating dinner.

This heat really does take it out of you. Off to bed for another early start tomorrow!