First Day at School

Hello all,

just out of school. The day started early ... I was at 6am mass. Though it seems like a big deal let me inform you that the choir started practising at 4.30am and it was a case of curse them or join them. The sound is wonderful but the timing is way off.

Breakfast and then off to see assembly, all children line up and pray loudly and reverently and then pledge allegiance to Ghana. Then a march around the yard singing and into their classrooms.

Today I observed the lessons so I have an idea what to teach. This morning there was Religion , Maths and English and, in the afternoon, Ghanaian. I'll stick to the Gaeilge!

The children have some texts given out for the lessons but kept in school. They are very obedient and answer out loudly. Everything is taught in drill form and repeated over and over again. There are no facilities apart from a blackboard.

The classroom is very basic with walls half way up and then slatted wood to the roof which is corrugated iron. When the rain starts class has to stop. Even without the rain and because there is no glass in the windows the sounds all mingle from room to room and it can be difficult to hear.

The little ones in the kindergarten are fascinated by the white people and keep coming to the window to look in. Then they circle round when we come outside.

I feel the need of a siesta, how quickly we become acclimatised!!

Love, hugs and kisses to Clodagh, Meabh and Doireann and a big hug to you too Brendan.