After a breakfast of pancakes and bananas, Connie, Katie and Jane were eventually picked up by Leisha and driver Kaeesee. Two of her Mama Maisha employees Grace and Mama Ellen were also in the van. After an hour ride through the countryside we arrived at Luanda Kiseru Primary School and were greeted by the MHA's (local Maisha Health Assistants) we had met the day before in Shirati. They were so excited to see us and so welcoming as was the large crowd of student's who surrounded the van upon its arrival.
After a fairly lengthy period of time spent waiting together in the staff room -( a meager space of approximately 12 X 16 ) where 4 teachers were trying to mark papers on a narrow table, the principal, whose small toddler daughter was also in tow, welcomed us and had everyone introduce themselves.
We then moved across the property to a classroom full of 70 girls. Over the next hour or so Leisha gave a an extensive talk to the girls about male and female anatomy as well as female hygiene using the newly laminated diagrams donated and brought from Canada with Mama Ellen translating into Swahili and sometimes Luau.Grace took photos and translated what was going on to us the Canadian guests as we sat and listened after our initial introductions.
What struck all three of us as visitors most, was the way all of the girls were totally engaged in the presentation. There were no behavioral problems and the girls seemed truly interested in all they heard. We were equally impressed with the way that both male and female teachers attended the class as well as the principal who happened to be a female. ( Note that most principals here are males). At one point when Leisha turned to the principal and acknowledged the intense information she was presenting, the principal responded that it was merely a science lesson that was very important.
After about an hour and a half, Jane was asked to give an explanation of and show the various parts of the Days for Girls kit bags, including how to care for the kit. Then came the most moving part; the presentation of a kit to each girl individually. Katie, Connie, Leisha and Jane took turns doing this and each girl curtsied as a thank you upon receipt of their gift. Grace took individual pictures of each one to make them feel equally recognized. This took a long time, but as in most things African, there do not seem to be time limits for anything.
At the end of the ceremony, we took several group photos with all of the girls as well as the MHA's, the principal and several teachers. It felt like a kind of graduation of sorts: a truly memorable and powerful experience for all present.
In the meantime Tuesday morning, Anson and Zach were off by piki piki ( motorcycle) with diocese worker Stephen and one other driver to Nyahera where they helped to dig holes to place wooden poles into the ground in preparation for our hut build on Wednesday. A special highlight for them before their return home was receiving driving lessons in a nearby field!
Terry spent his morning dealing with the necessary steps to open a joint bank account for Shantz/CACHA funds for the diocese.
After a later lunch of chicken rice and cooked greens the team, minus Terry who was still working on finances, took a tour of the Shirati Hospital. Highlights include seeing a 5 minute old newborn and visiting with leprosy clients and seeing the new children's hospital area where we were able to speak with the parents who were staying with their children. In this hospital patients must provide their own food and have a family member to assist them by washing their clothes and assisting them. Thanks to Leisha for serving as our tour guide and translator!