Today was bittersweet. It being our last day with the kids made for some somber goodbyes. We took a long drive to a new school called Ketume. This school, being incredibly new (and incredibly secluded) only had kids from baby class up to “P4” or the equivalent to our 3rd graders. We had them all line up after receiving friendship bracelets and they each got a toothbrush and some toothpaste, something they had never even gotten near. After a solid 10 minutes of the kids’ contemplation over their slightly-boring new toys, Patrick bit the bullet and gave them a tutorial on how to properly brush your teeth. This was met with some laughs until they realized he wasn’t doing it wrong. Here was also when Komi went on a hike with Patrick to see the school’s previous water situation. Before they had the money raised for their cisterns, they (the kids) used to have to walk a mile or two in the forest to get to a small trickling river and then drudge all the way back with the water they gathered (with no shoes as usual). We all realized how lucky we were and how important the littlest things can be for these kids. After this we played a lot of games with them.
These games included singing by Maggie and Matt (lots of country songs) and some volleyball with Reid and the Ketume teachers. It was also supported by--finally--a cool and overcast day that promised some rain. After the kids showed Jack their acrobatic skills and they taught Joanne a countless number of confusing games we boarded the long bus ride ready for a well-deserved nap. Instead we ended up having a relaxing, music-accompanied, scenic drive through miles and miles of beautiful landscapes and cityscapes. We even went through some of the biggest tea leave plantations any of us have ever even seen. Miles and miles of tea leaves that looked better than Snapple has ever advertised. Some of the tea collectors started jumping and waving at the sight of our touristy appearance and camera-filled bus windows.
After the bumpy, but beautiful, scenic drive we came to the nursing center at Mizugo (the main school) to drop off and pack our donated medical supplies. These included Emma’s first aid kits and gloves, Caitlin’s bandages and gauze, among others. Here we also handed out Jack’s (Donna’s) generous contribution of numbered uniforms which the kids were eager to try on and play in. They looked very professional and we wanted to thank the Williamses for their effort in this. After that, Eva took us on a tour around the girls dorm and to the Secondary School (their high school equivalent) and we met and preformed for the kids. They were a little hesitant to talk and mingle with us, being our age, but after awhile they were teaching us things and even had Jack record a video of some pretty impressive break-dancing.
Overall the day was a big hit for everyone involved, while still hitting a somber note, being our last full day with the kids. While we are eager to get back home, we are dreading the good-byes to come tomorrow.
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