Settling In
(24th-30th April 2002)

So, I went to HOTPEC for 9am. Today I taught with all three classes. The oldest class (until 11am), I taught on the subject of happiness and used some passages and examples from the bible. It was good! After the break, I taught with nursery and class 1, with whom I just did an introduction and colouring their hands on paper. With class 2, I got them to draw and write things they liked.

Then Regina took me to Mutengene, so we could buy me some malaria drugs. I was getting worried 'cos I had nearly run out. Unfortunately, they didn't have them. So, we gave up after trying another, and I returned home. I visited Priscilia. She was very kind and made me spaghetti, eggs and eggy bread. It was good! I was going to go to church in the evening but I was too tired. So, after going on the net (which took me 2 hours to receive and reply to Daryl's email), I went to bed!

Then, I went into Limbe and arrived at the French school at nine. I was first in the French class with Monsieur Mattheu. I made another discussion with the children, who are between 8 and 11 years. During the break, I went with Madame (another teacher at the school) to the market, where I bought some bread.

On returning, I talked for a while with Monsieur, the head of the school, who's very nice. In the afternoon, I taught English to two classes. I read them a story, a poem, asked questions and did some exercises on the board. I finished at 1:30 pm and left for Limbe town centre. I went to Rainbow pharmacy and managed to get the drugs, paludrine, which settled me a bit (sorry for the poor English but I've been speaking French so much, I'm getting confused.) Anyway, I then went to look around the trade fair. I bartered with a man for a nice matching skirt and top. He started at 22,000 CFA, and I manged to get him down to 8,000 CFA (£8)! But then I didn't get it anyway! Whoops!! I walked around Limbe for a bit before returning to Mutengene, where I'd arranged to meet Zadock, and do some work on the computers. I was there at 3:15, and he didn't arrive until 4:30 - typical Cameroonian man!! So, I returned home and after eating some avocado pear and preparing for the following morning, I went to sleep at 9pm. Darryl called at 9:45!! But it was nice to speak to him!

So I arrived a bit late, and taught class 3 & 4. I did a story and some exercises on the board. I think it was a bit difficult for them. It's hard because in this oldest class, 3 of them are 10, one's 16 and the other is 20 years old, but they haven't really been taught properly. So, I'm having to start from basics. I really hope I can improve their standards before I leave. With nursery and class 1 today, we had a music lesson. I taught them "I want to see Jesus lifted high.", which they all loved, and are practising a lot. Then, I got them to teach me their songs - it was a lot of fun! I went for a stroll, and bought some bread. I met Regina, and we waited together for sister, Beatrice. I left HOTPEC orphanageat about 4pm, after giving the children lollies, which they loved!

In the taxi, I had another proposal of marriage - it's getting pretty annoying now! I arrived at mile 17 park, and bought 10 mangos and some watermelon for 400 CFA (40p)! On returning to my room, I ate them and relaxed for a bit. AT pm, I left and went to Priscilia's place.

There was an evangelism celebration tonight which was being held outside. Pris and her friend were singing, and so we went early. George also came, and we stayed until 10pm. It was brilliant, lots of singing and dancing, and a drama. There were hundreds of people there. On returning to my place, I fell straight asleep, as it was past my bed-time!

The minute all the children saw me and the car, they went mad, running up, "Aunty, Aunty Keziah!" It was so funny! So me, Zadock, and his own two children, Rufe and Zadock left for Limbe. We made many stops on the way, saying hello to his many friends.and relatives.

Finally, we arrived at the main 'Mile 6' beach, but alas! It was completely dead. Zadock said that only a couple of years ago, it was full with people, swimming, bathing,selling things, canoeing, table tennis. All gone! But still it was a beautiful beach. There were a few people, 1 white! And we saw three monkeys in a tree - really close! We stayed only for about half an hour, then went to ssee Zadock's older brother and many wives and children. They were very kind but lived in very poor, basic conditions. They served us with food they had prepared. A very typical African dish: 'fufu & aero'. It's a squichy white thing that you dip in this green, sludgy sick-like bowl of stuff! But guess what, I ate it! And it wasn't that bad! We left about 7pm and went home. We got a bed from HOTPEC for me, so I wouldn't have to sleep on the floor! Whoa! After reading, I went to sleep about 9:30pm.