So with the first week over and having time to settle in, it has been quite an experience. During the week was our first time ever doing project work. I love it! Monday morning was an early start of 8am. The group I was put in are making a toilet block and shower block for Mama's house. Mama is a lovely lady who looks after a couple of children that have been orphaned and the unique thing about her is that she has absolutely nothing in life but she doesn't beg, doesn't wander the streets, she is extremely polite and a really friendly, she is an overall loving character.
So Monday and Tuesday day we were building bricks. That brought me right back to my childhood days, it was like playing with mud! We mixed cement, calcium, dirt and water to get a thick cement-like texture and used a brick mould to create the brick. To get the water though was real tough. The African women carry the big containers on their heads day in, day out walking probably up to 5kms away, we couldn't even make it to 250 metres away! It was a bit of a laugh though.
Wednesday was different, it was time to take the bricks to Mama's house. Now these bricks aren't ordinary sized, they are quite big and we had to fit six in a wheel barrow. At first I thought that it wouldn't be too bad. I was completely and utterly wrong!!! It was such hard work. It took half an hour to cart them there and back, and after about six trips, I thought I was going to die. I woke up Thursday barely being able to move.
Thursday we started building from scratch and progress is looking good!!
Anyway, Friday was then different again. That morning we were moving more bricks but after lunch (because it was end of Ramadan) there was a lot of celebration going on so as a group we all went to go see a person called the 'Bush Doctor'. They are said to be the type of Doctor that can help you find love, cure sickness, create a successful business for yourself and of course remove the devil in you. It was very interesting I must say!
After our visit to the bush Doctor we went to a man who makes Coconut Wine, it is a traditional drink that everyone drinks after Ramadan, it has an acquired taste but I thought it was rather nice in small doses.
Saturday was lovely. It was snorkelling day so we went out by boat which had a glass bottom so it was nice to see all the coral and fish under the boat but it was even nicer once we all got in the water. I saw everything!! A Clownfish with its babies, sea snakes, sea urchins, stange but beautiful looking coral, everything! It was amazing!
I have probably covered enough of what I need to. I am having a lovely time here and really enjoy the project work. Next week the group split up. Some are staying with the project, others will be off to do Marine Conservation. Its my turn to stay so I will be continuing with the project and doing Marine later and then the following week is when I go to the Elephant Sanctuary.
From Jade x
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