Last days at the school

Written by Luke:

Today was our final day in Jambiani. We decided to spend it gettting
to know and understand the kids we've been working around as well as
taking in the fantastic work we've been doing.

We set out for the high school early in the morning by making our
daily sun-baked trek down the beach we've come to know so well. The
walk, which once seemed so grueling and hot, has become part if our
life here in Africa. Rather than an arduous journey, it is now a
peaceful moment in the day best used to appreciate our modest but
beautiful surroundings.

Arriving at the school, we were greeted by the usual excitement and
commotion that we see every school day. Today Jake will not be going
off to watch his hands quite literally roast in the sun. Nor will
Trevor and Abby Cook race around the sandlit with wheelbarrows
planting trees before the sun gets too hot to work. Today is a more
relaxed day.

We have organized into five groups so we can break off and get to know
the students of Jambiani a bit better.

Walking to our assigned classrooms, it isn't hard to see the impact
we've made over the course of the last eight days.

Alaya's hand-painted class numbers (which she insists are too sloppy,
despite the overwhelming consensus that this is not so); Taylor's
skillfully drawn lines which divide the Robin's Egg blue part of the
bottom wall and the white part of the top; and Abby Collier's numerous
coats of black on each and every blackboard: all these conjure up
strong feelings from the past week.

After giving the rejuvenated school another glance or two, we head
into the classrooms. Here we are warmly greeted by our peers in
Jambiani, the students. Although it is awkward at first and the
language barrier poses some difficulties, the overall tenor of the
inreraction is kind and welcoming.

While my group played simple games such as Swahili hangman and the
name game (set to the tune of "We Will Rock You"), and an African
version of Simon Says, Arielle eagerly snapped pictures with some of
the older kids. An hour later, Daniel started several arguments over
just which English soccer team us the greatest. Ashley had her braided
by done of the girls (who also face get an impromptu pen tattoo).
Allegra gas given up trying to get the locals to pronounce her name
and has dubbed herself (or was so dubbed by Xander) "Claire."

The time flies by and soon it is time to
go. We wave farewell to the kids and the school we have come to know
so intimately. Some go out the front, past the waterspout that we
spent so much time fighting over access for, while others go out the
back, past the place where we planted six trees for shade where the
children are already sitting. I take one last look at the shed where I
have left my once pristine gloves tattered and ready for whatever job
awaits them here at the "shade wall" where we bet Samantha she
couldn't go a day without saying, "Oh my God" ten times in a single
day (the result: Taylor us now the proud owner of a Coke paid for by
Sam), and turn to leave. We spend our final walk home from the
Jambiani school not complaining, but reflecting on our numerous and
wonderful experiences there.