A truuuuuly happy day :)

The support we provided to the schools we contacted during our last trip went beyond just the most basic assistance. After all, our goal is to do everything we can to ensure that children have a joyful childhood, even if only for a single day. And so we decided to organize a real good time for the students in Longoi. The physical education teacher played a part in this, as he asked us if we could help them build football goals. They have a large open area in front of the school where they play sports and soccer, but they would really like to have goals so the game will be more like a real one. Well, it's true that we had to cut back on the school lunch budget, but all the children voluntarily gave up their promised portion of corn and beans in exchange for soccer goals. So we got to work. As usual, we drove into town and got the materials. Transporting the tubes was once again a challenging task. We weren't at all sure if that car could carry them. But the bars arrived at the site. Fundi got to work and welded the gates according to the instructions. In the meantime, we got some nets, colour, brushes, and thinner, and then we all got to work together. The boys were so excited. They put the goals on their shoulders, carried them to the field, started digging holes and setting up the goals—they definitely had no intention of standing on the sidelines. They brought sand and gravel. They took care of everything. Just as we started painting, such a huge downpour began (thank God for that) that we couldn't continue that day. So the children and teachers painted the gates another day. Teachers in our country would be terrified of breaking all the safety rules. Well, I sometimes held my breath too, especially when the boys were putting up the nets. But the kids here are different. They've been working hard since they were little, they know how to handle all kinds of situations, and they're exposed to daily risks.

And when there are new goals, that means a real match. We agreed to come back for the game. Along with soccer, we also planned other competitive events: dancing, a sprint, and a bag jump. Trust me, I've seen a lot working with kids, but trying to manage 400 kids with just three of us—now that was quite an experience :D. The kids were so happy and totally out of control. Personally, over the years of my experience, I've gotten the impression that sometimes, rather than having an educational impact, I have the exact opposite effect on kids—especially when you're the attraction, like a Mzungu among Africans :D. 

The kids had never experienced a day like this before. We brought balls and soccer jerseys. The boys felt like real football stars and were so proud. And the girls—they demanded jerseys too. Apparently, they were going to play a match as well :D. We set up the nets, formed teams, and the first half could begin. The boys ran around the field like crazy and played with all their might. But within a moment, they had pierced almost all the balls on the thorns in the area. Next up was a dance competition. At first, the kids were shy, but then they really got into it. I think next time there will be a lot more of them battling it out :). The sprint was great, too. And the bag jumping? The kids really had a lot of fun with that. They'd never tried this fun activity before, and they looooved it :D. The second half of the soccer game was very short. Soon there was nothing left to play with. All the balls had to be patched up, and we promised the kids that we would have some high-quality, handmade balls made in town that could withstand the thorns that are everywhere. The winners of the sprint received medals. And the top three winners in each event also received a sweet treat and some lemonade. We had prepared some snacks for all the participants, but the kids were jostling and pushing so hard to grab their own candy that the teacher finally got angry, confiscated everything, and we all went home :D. It totally reminded me of how many times I used to get upset when the kids refused to do what was asked of them and were impossible to handle. And that's totally fine :D. It was a wonderful day!