Zebra's, Sports, Music, Killing chickens and more Sport!!

Thought I would start this post with a few more pics of our amazing trip to Nsobe in the half term (beginning of July)

Since Half term we have had a very jam packed half of term! Can't believe my cousin has already been and gone, a month passed so incredibly quickly!!

Beginning of July we had the primary 10-step athletics where 4 others schools came to Amano to join in with skipping, throwing, high jump, running and lots more! All staff members got involved- it was a BRILLIANT atmosphere. Unfortunately Amano didn't come in first but it was great fun.

The students were all involved in a school production, organised by parents and students! They performed 'Around the World in 80 minutes'. The whole performance was outside with the audience in the centre watching the journey through different countries happening all around us.- lots of amazing dancing and acting! 

Don't have any photos at the moment but hope to get some asap.

We've had some lovely times recently in the girls dorm- lots of girly fun! We had another pamper day recently with the products donated by my Mum and her workmates (Thank you)!

And some limbo fun with the primaries!!

Last weekend we had another beautiful sunny day for secondary sports day. It was Amano Secondary students competing against each other. Again all the staff got involved and it was another great day!!

Last week was a sad week for us as we said goodbye to the German volunteers who have been helping in the girls dorm, boys dorm, school and building site! Miriam and Tanja (helping in the girls dorm) were here when we first arrived and really helped me to settle into the dorm. It was sooo sad to say goodbye and scary to think that we have nearly been here a year already!! wow!! It has also been a hard few weeks here in the dorm without the volunteers helping out.

Today, Jon went to give out some clothing donations at a local church, he decided to take some students along too. I will ask him to blog soon and write about it. But I was shocked when they returned with a live chicken in the minibus. It was given as a thank you present from the receiving church!! One of the local ladies killed it for us and the girls cut it up so we can eat it for our supper tomorrow! (Photo's to follow)! Not sure if I will now go back to being a vegetarian after seeing the head chopped off. eek!!

We have one week left now until August holidays-can't believe how time is flying so fast.

Lots of Holiday Fun!!

Sorry that it has taken us so long to update our blog recently! Been very busy. We had a BRILLIANT half term. The first few days we spent getting work duties out the way. Jon has been busy writing reports and planning lessons. Kerry was busy tidying the dorm and getting ready for the next half of term. On the Tuesday of half term (26^th) we went to the church on Solwezi road to give out donations. I managed to safely drive the whole way, it was quite out in the bush. We were very surprised when the WHOLE church came to greet us with dancing and singing. There was a short church service and then we gave out the donations. It was a little difficult as some of the women and children were arguing over what they wanted!! Eek! Next time, we would like some of the students of Amano to come with us and perhaps build a link with this local community.

 Me driving to the church!

On the way!!

On the Wednesday we had the long old trip up to Lusaka, but thankfully we travelled smoothly and were delighted to arrive at ‘Stay Easy’ in Lusaka, a hotel much like a Holiday Inn in England. In a way it was nice to have some home comforts and we even got to eat a KFC at the mall opposite the hotel! Woop. We had a lovely few days of rest just reading books and watching some football.

                                                        On the BUs to Lusaka!!

                                                     Stay Easy Hotel- Verry posh!!

On Friday 29^th my Cousin Lauren arrived into Lusaka airport and she thankfully arrived safely. It is really lovely to have a family member visiting and she has really got stuck in with life in Zambia.

Me and Lauren enjoying a yummy treat in Lusaka!

We arrived back (after a verrrrry long and interesting journey!!) at Amano only to depart again on Saturday for Nsobe Game Park. We were keen to show Lauren some African wildlife. Unfortunately the game park had double booked our accommodation at the last minute, so they changed us to a bush camp in the middle of the game reserve. I had been a bit annoyed but it turned out to be an AMAZING blessing. It was a 5km drive from the main camp and was completely isolated and exclusive. But the 5 chalets were incredible.

 Sunset on the lake (with Jon's fishing boat in view-unfortunately no fish though! hehe)

Toilet with a view!!!

 The bathrooms were all outside with a view into the forest! In the evening we were able to sit outide around the camp fire and watch the Zebra’s and other animals feeding from the trough. It was truly an amazing experience. There was Jon, Lauren and I and 5 other friends. We really had great fun; game drive, massages, lieing in the sun, singing around the camp fire. The perfect holiday. If only it could have lasted longer!

We started back at school on Wednesday. It has been great seeing all the children once again J

On Thursday night we had a ‘Creative Prayer’ night. We set up 10 different creative prayer stations with creative ways of praying. It was nice to have something different and the young people seemed to really enjoy the time to be still and reflect (photo’s coming soon)!

Yesterday we had 4 other schools join us here at Amano for the Primary ’10 step’ athletics competition. It was a great day involving lots of skipping, hopping and throwing. Lots of staff got involved and although Amano didn’t win it was still a brilliant event!

Hope you are all well, we love hearing from home so let us know how things are with you!