The penultimate day in our schools and a day of firsts for me. Our students are now realising that their new normal is about to change again and whilst there is excitement about the safari and going home there is also the sadness of leaving home for the last few weeks. This morning my routine was interrupted by students wanting to see the sunrise. Amusingly it was a cloudy morning so the sunrise was hidden from view.
St Columbans school for the Deaf
Today was my first full day at St Columbans, although I had visited it a couple of times, this was my first and probably only full day there. I was so far out of my comfort zone and it felt like I was something of a failure. The school has around 70 children who are all deaf or partially deaf. Which means our primary form of communication is completely useless. The school was really quiet, which I hadn't really appreciated at all. I was a little surprised by the lack of staff here today too. There were no lessons going on and we were clearly looking after the children for the most part of the day.
This didn't stop the children from welcoming me in, we played games, they attempted to teach me some sign language and we had great fun. I had no sign language in me at all and so I was completely at sea and relying on our students who had learnt so much in just 7 days. I was given a sign name which I can manage and I picked up a couple of simple signs but I felt hopelessly inadequate. They kept wanting my sunglasses which I haven't let out of my sight due to them being prescription sunglasses. One of the kids there understood and then promptly protected them for me by explaining to the others that they weren't allowed to play with them. It was amazing his level of understanding from my rubbish communication skills, however, we were bridging the gap! Things we normally take for granted like trying to get someone else's attention don't work here. The kids use quite a forceful tap which I am not sure I could adopt in my own classroom!
The murals that our students had painted look amazing and the lasting impression on the kids matching the handprints on the wall and the students to which they belong will leave a lasting impression on those children at the school.
I left still feeling inadequate, and useless, but I intend to take this experience with me to learn and teach others about how different life can be for other.
The Medical Clinic
In every trip here we end up taking someone along to the nearest medical clinic. Usually, someone else goes along but today I went. We had 2 students that needed checking out for different things and I went down with them to get them seen. The medical clinic was clean and not busy at all, we walked in and registered, quick trip down to the cash desk to pay for the consultation, and then triaged within minutes, then straight in front of the doctor! Medication for one of the students meant another trip to the cash desk and then done, the other student required a blood test, again done in seconds, after paying, and results back in less than 15 minutes, more cash, medication collected and done in about 30 minutes. I was really impressed here with both the treatment and the level of English that all of the staff we spoke to had. They had all of the facilities that a regular hospital would have and I was left really impressed by the whole service. It cost about £30 for the whole lot, which compared to what the cost would have been in the UK for in effect private treatment was astounding. However, for regular Kenyans, this would be far beyond their means.
It would be remiss of me not to share this ridiculous egg delivery photo.
Our Evening Entertainment
Today was one of our reflection activities for our photobook. Each trip always ends with one of the staff compiling a photo book of our adventures and this year Laura, decided to collect a few words from everyone. These will be put into the book as their lasting memory of the trip. I love this idea, and I will take my time to write mine.
This will be my 3rd book and each one has been different along the way. I guess for me this one will be probably my most treasured one as it is my last visit with the Weald students.
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