COUNTRY: Maldives
PROGRAM: UniBreak
PROJECT: Teaching & Swimming Coaching
WRITTEN BY: Jessica Moyes
Lauren and I got up for the sunrise on Saturday, and Steff, Lauren and I got up for the Sunday sunrise. Both were unreal and worth the early morning.
Saturday also entailed a trip to the Uninhabited island, our last for the trip. We jumped from the boat in other deep water and swam to shore. For many this was daunting, though we all enjoyed it. We made ourselves comfortable in hammocks and in the sun. We had lunch on the Islam and learnt to make one of our favourite Maldivian foods, disk bread. We cracked and scraped the coconut, kneaded the dough and cooked it on the fire. This was a treat.
On Sunday we were invited by the school deputy principal, Ajeeb, for a home made Maldivian lunch. We were running slightly late so we asked someone who was driving a truck to help us. We all piled into the back and he took us to Ajeebs house where he, his wife, and his girls welcomed us. Before lunch we watched a movie then enjoyed the variety of Maldivian food. This was unreal as the meal included chicken, something we had been missing during our trip.
We also finished the murals and wall art at school on Sunday which was fulfilling.
On Monday I walked with Misu to school. I have walked with her a few times because she lives near our guesthouse and sees us walk to school in the morning. She is in one of the year six classes and is always smiling and happy to go to school. Steff and I ran classes on comprehension passages for the two year six classes which was great. I really enjoy teaching and having the responsibility of organising a lesson.
Tuesday was our last day of swimming which was fun. We played games with the children and took plenty of photos. It was great to see the improvements that had been made in confidence, skill and enjoyment in the water.
Wednesday was our last day of school at Thinadoo a School. Shafeeq Sir allocated time in each of the year six and seven classes to farewell the kids and give out small gifts that we had brought. We played with chatter boxes(paper toys) that steff and I made for the students with the help of some other girls, taught them about the meanings of some of the words we use, sung Australian songs like waltzing Matilda, the national anthem, tie me kangaroo down sport, laugh kookaburra laugh, and give me a home among the gum trees. We also showed them Lleyton Hewitt's c'mon call and Aussie Aussie Aussie oi oi oi. The kids gave us a lot of gifts like poems, cards, bracelets and flowers. We took many pictures and said goodbye to them all.
Shifa and some of the other teachers brought in traditional dresses which we chose and tried on for the celebration at night. We then had our last meal at one of our daily restaurants.
At 730 that night, we left for school to get ready. The teachers did our hair and helped us get ready. We had a lovely meal in the school grounds on the lawn and tables and chairs were set. Ajeeb spoke and thanked us, and we thanked the school and teachers for the food and hospitality.
We played a few songs and danced, played musical chairs and before we knew it, it was 11 pm. We said our goodbyes to the teachers and made our way home from school.
Gabby, Lauren, Liz, Anna, Tegan and I went to bodu beru practice for the final time too that night. They played our favourites like the one with the under water move and the ghost song.
On Thursday part of the group were up early, ready and packed for the resort. We were at the wharf and leaving by 9am sharp. We sat by the pool, relaxed and took photos. We had consecutive rooms and chappey was also next door.
At 430 gabby, Lauren, steff and I played volley ball with some of the robinsons staff.
We then went to our room and got ready for dinner.
We went to the sundowner bar for sunset. Chappey got us champagne which was delicious.
Friday was much the same, including a lunch that we managed to drag out til we'll past our departure time.
We arrived at kadaadoo airport island at 3 and waited unil 345 to check in and get out flight to male.
We checked in to our hotel in male and headed our for our final group meal at a restaurant by the ferry wharf. We walked to a few shops and said some goodbyes for those with early departures.
My flight from male was one of the morning ones so I had to leave early to meet my family. It was touching that some of the girls woke up to say goodbye.
It's so amazing to leave knowing that you will be seeing some girls again and will definitely be in touch after only four weeks of knowing one another. I am very grateful for this unreal experience with such a fantastic group of girls. I have come away from this experience with both difficult and awesome experiences, learning opportunities, many wonderful memories and many great friends.
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