And the Trip Lingers...

It has been over a week since Team 2 has returned home but your experiences linger in your mind again and again...

This is a view of UMC Annual Conference in Sierra Leone. Part of the team attended one morning. It was interesting to listen to a few of the reports. We were able to get an update on the university.

Many classrooms are crammed with students and benches YET students are respectful and well-mannered.

This group of fine ladies prepared our meals daily at the hotel. Marci spent time with these ladies. Marci shared some of her cooking secrets while these ladies shared their kitchen secrets.

Oh yes, there is a story here. The head teacher at Urban Center (Brown) shared that they needed a few more stools in their library. Regular chairs take up so much space and the library needed every square inch. The team thought obtaining stools would be a good project so the hunt was on. After a few days of not seeing any stools, Tim spotted a few and he was on a mission. The only problem - these stools were not for sale as they belonged to this "restaurant".

Jane is "fixing" everyone up on the educational team with a name tag.












Hooray for books! Most parents cannot afford school tuition and the required books. It is one reason why much of the school day is spent copying lessons from the blackboard. Less time for instruction. These students have an advantage now. Books were donated to third and sixth graders. The plan is to use the books for the next five - six years for each incoming class. Thanks Chet and Darlene. Chet and Darlene were able to visit one of the schools on our day of departure.

                                                                                        

Exchanging money always brought smiles...along with some frustration.

 Stacey worked closely with the PT staff at Kissy Hospital. They appreciated her so much that they gave her an African name AND fulfilled her wish to "wear a baby".








These are precious containers...used to carry water from the pump to homes.     






                                      
  Although the first few days were slow and frustrating, Marci created a kitchen space. The space was filled with obsolete hospital equipment and dirt. Marci cleaned and painted along with help from Darlene and others.  She also shopped with Victor's (one of our drivers) help to purchase a stove, freezer, refrigerator, rice cooker, and other kitchen essentials. Marci prepared a great meal for many the day before we left for home.

The water looked too inviting for Jane to pass up at a hotel near Lungi Airport. Tom and Kendall took advantage of the pool also before boarding. Others used their time to get a bite to eat.

 Sierra Leone teachers were given time to visit the school library at Urban Center. Many schools do not have libraries. Teachers were given time to read and practice an activity called, Turn and Talk. Teachers seemed excited to try this strategy in their own classrooms. Teachers were appreciative of dictionary instruction given by Pat.

 If you have ever turned pages in celebrity magazines you will notice pictures of women celebrities wearing the same outfit with the caption, "Who wears it better?" People vote and the results are posted on the page. Here are some pics of workshop participants and our own Tim. The question..."Who carries it better?" Cast your vote if you like in the comments.

Photo of educational workshop participants. Many traveled from far distances to attend. Great group of educators who are passionate about their students. I think every grade K -12 was
represented at the workshop.

Jane brought along two boxes of glasses that she had collected from Indiana. Head teachers were asked if there were students who might need glasses. Head teachers were quick to call down students that they knew had difficulty seeing the board. Glasses were tried on and if they helped, students and adults were given a pair of glasses.

 Most of the educational team. Kendall is MIA. 

 Sally gearing up for the day. Incredibly hot when you have C-sections to perform. Lots of surgical garments to put on.

Kids were the most curious at Urban (Brown) Center. You felt a little like an animal in the zoo with all of the touching. Kids kept commenting our skin..."It's so soft!" Their skin was just as soft.




 Notice that the front of the ambulance says Maternity

This ambulance was parked here because it was serving as a hearse for a funeral that was taking place.

        
After his experience picking up stools at a restaurant, Tim decides the store is the best place to get stools for Urban Center School. (Brown) Now I'm not sure where this store is located but I never saw anything close to this store in the 2 weeks I was in Sierra Leone. Is some of the team holding out on the rest of us? Hm...