Week 8

Last week was…intense. While I didn’t have a sudden invasion of grade 9 music students and power stealing teachers, my cleaner for most of the school buildings didn’t show up for work all week, and I didn’t hear anything at all from him until Friday afternoon. I suspect that the only reason I heard from him then is that the ‘bush telephone’ had let him know I was starting to shake the bushes for him. Thankfully he came into work this Monday, so while I am writing a letter for his file, hopefully this won’t happen again. My students probably hope so—one of them who was out to lunch for large portions of Friday afternoon ended up doing some community service cleaning in the admin!

This week is also an intense one in my classroom; my grade 7 students are writing their national exams. They need to keep up with the core items of their regular studies as well, and then on Friday as soon as they finish the last exam the grade 7-9 students are heading down to the Copper Belt for their annual sports tour. So, before they go, I am trying to get two pieces of paperwork done—one for the Teaching Council of Zambia and one for Imigration, as well as a baby gift that I want to send to some friends. I’m trying to get corrections done and make sure that while not overburdening my grade 7’s, that I’m also getting done what must be so that we can finish the term in good shape.

I’ve also started the lists of things that must be done before I leave Sakeji for my furlough on the afternoon of December 1st. It’s hard to know how much to put and how much to leave to my substitute’s good judgment. Speaking, of, that is a prayer point—who will be taking my class while I’m away. So, prayers for sanity, strength, patience, and grace would all be appreciated!

Parting shot: I love frangipani blossoms like these ones; so lovely!