Back to the Watoto: Music Program Ends With a BANG!

Aside from one school that was disorganized and in complete disarray, every school that participated in the Recorders Without Borders project was SUPERB. All the students and teachers were collectively saddened by the end of one incredible week of musical instruction and sheer enjoyment. This project was a huge success, one which I hope to repeat this time next year.

Today, we went back to Ereteti School for their second lesson. We could hear the children practicing in the distance when we arrived at school. All the children were so enthused and completely excited about showing off their skills to Kathy and Nicole. The Head Teacher, Boniface Maima, had given the children a practice session yesterday, and it showed. He and 5 additional teachers showed up for practice, I was so impressed. Boniface is new to Ereteti School as of January, and the new light he has cast upon the school is extraordinary. Gone are the surly and disagreeable teachers. Gone are the obvious discipline problems. Gone is the punitive environment. This change of environment is palpable and very welcome.

As an observer, I loved watching the children's expressions and movements as they listened carefully to Kathy and Nicole. They wanted to get it right and did; their efforts were exceptional, and to see them beam with pride at their own accomplishments was a sight to behold.

This boy struggled with getting the right notes, yet at the end of class, he volunteered to stand up and play a song solo. What a beautiful thing this was.

The class at Ereteti School

We had our final class at Olootepes Primary at 3:30 after they blew off Nicole and Kathy for their 10:00am appointment. This did not sit well with me at all, so I told the Head Teacher he had let the children down, and us, and didn't seem to have appreciation for the fact that our teachers had traveled half way around the world as volunteers to teach recorders. This school didn't show up for the Reception, and didn't bother to call me to let me know of the change of their schedule this morning. Excuses, excuses. Tabia baya, I said. Bad manners. We will not be including this school in any future endeavors.

Moving on, we only got an hour and a half with the children later this afternoon, but it sure was fun.

Denis wants to play this recorder so badly, but his little hands just aren't big enough!

Grace, Penina and Catherine

I will be leaving at the crack of dawn tomorrow, to take the children up to Kikuyu Town, to visit the eye doctor at a well know medical center. I have been before and do not mind the trip. Hopefully these eye problems are allergies, and nothing more serious than this. Eyes are not to be messed with, or ignored.

Lots of love from East Africa tonight.

It's been a wonderful experience with Recorders Without Borders, represented by Kathy and Nicole. I'm very glad they're sticking around for the weekend, and not leaving right off.