The primary school has been inaugurated

After postponing the inauguration about 5 times, I needed to step in. There was a reason why they didn’t want the school to be inaugurated, but I couldn’t find out why. So I asked my local government helper (of fixer) to help me with this. He reported to me after speaking to the mayor of the district. She was informed that the school didn’t have windows or doors and because there were not enough desks, the school could not be opened now.

I explained that all doors and windows were painted and fixed and that missing desks were on their way at the carpenter, but that there were no other primary schools in her district that have desks, so that could not be the reason not the start using the school. The school year had already started and the children were still taught outside (and with the current rainy season, not really having any lessons).

Then I called the mayor. Asked her if the planned inauguration at the 22st of February was still going through, but she since hadn’t heard of any inauguration, so postponed the inauguration till the 25^th. Ok. So through the village “caller” I invited the whole community to the inauguration, organized drinks/food and tufu dancers. The day before I called the helper of the mayor (head of 3 communities one of which Cabaceira). “Are we still on for tomorrow?” Yes. “Ok and what time can we expect the Mayor”. “I will let you know”.

She called me at 22.00 saying that the mayor would arrive at the 10.00. So we arrived the next morning at the right time and the first thing that the helper of the mayor told me: “we cannot inaugurate this school”. “What!!! Why?” “Because we want more desks”. Then a call came in. The mayor was on her way. “ Sorry, the mayor is on her way, we will inaugurate the school”. This got crazier by the minute.

After the arrival of the mayor and showing the school, she held a speech, I held a speech and then members of the community were asked to say a few words. Two people had prepared a letter: the director of the school and a helper of the community leader. They claimed that this was not a proper school and that they didn’t want to inaugurate. Why? You asked for the school, the way it is now? Why would a director of a school rather have lessons outside then in a school with a roof?

I thought that things were finished now. But no, the mayor did something unexpected. She asked the people of Cabaceira present what they wanted. And they all voted to open and use the school. Even all the teachers. So the school was inaugurated. Not only that, one man in name of the whole community spoke that they would like new leaders. That they don’t agree with the way they are handling the projects and that they are not benefitting the people of the community. The mayor said she was open to new suggestions and would plan a meeting with a new commity.

The tufu dancers danced, the drinks were spread around, the mayor went and the leader with his helpers didn’t even say goodbye to her. The whole community agreed that this was a great day and a big shame for the leader and his group. The next day, the director had a fight with his teachers. He didn’t want to use the school, but they did. So the day after, they moved all their stuff to the new school, all children helped and cleaned the school, like it had never been cleaned before. Now during the rainy days, the children of Cabaceira have lessons, thanks to all the guests that stayed in Coral Lodge. And not only that. It gave the rest of the community a possibility to speak up, about their corrupt leaders. Thank you guests of Coral Lodge, in behalf of all of them.

Twinbears.nl

The dolls for the pre-school will be provided by a very special foundation: http://www.twinbears.nl/
Unique twin-dolls are made in Holland. One is taken home by a Dutch boy or girl and the other travels to an other country to play with an other boy or girl over there.
This will also be the case with 30 dolls that will be donated to the pre-school. They will be travelling with me and Thijs to Mozambique in our suitcases in April. With the opening of the pre-school in May, 30 children, 15 of the pre-school and 15 of the orphans project of the primairy school will receive their dolls to take home with them.

program pre-school

The new pre-school teachers are being trained at the moment. 2 days a week they come together. They think of games, songs and stories in Portuguese that they want to teach the children.

With me arriving in February I added all the games from Thijs, my son who is now 6. And that are a lot! Lotino, Uno junior, Skibo Junior, domino etc etc. all the games that we are familiar with when growing up, but that they haven't heard of. And they had fun together. Thijs had 3 women to play with. All his old games. And slowly the women understood and were able to play on their own.

The pre-school class rooms are big! There is enough space to decorate it the same way we are used to in Europe: a part for dress-up, dolls and to play shop etc. and an other part to build (with Lego, wooden blocks and cars). Then there will be chests with all the games, books (imported from Portugal) and art material. Of course chairs and desks will be made at the proper hight. And since they are not fixed they can sit in a circle on the chairs or add them to the desk and draw or paint.

The teachers have a daily changing program. Through games and play the children the main goal is to teach the children basis Portuguese. This will be done through 2 weekly changing themes like: animals, forms, colors, counting. It will have 1 story and 1 song that will fit the theme and that first will be explained in Portuguese and Macua and at the end of the 2 weeks hopefully some of the main words of the story will stick. The rest of time will mainly be spend with games also fitting the theme and free play with all the toys around.

The first year a maximum of 15 children will participate. 11 of which are part of the Orphens project of the princess. Others will have to pay 200 Mt per month ($7,-) only for the daily snack during the break. The teachers are paid by the princess. We have already a full class registered. The first year the teachers can practise on a small group and the people of Cabaceira can see the result with the children participating. Hopefully more paying children will be entering the pre-school next year and Cabaceira will grow into a highly educated community!