Happy Easter!

 

...well, not really for me as I spent my days  ill in bed.
But Rob and Maarten had fun at the egg hunt, organized in a nearby compound. There were not many kids left as all were gone for the spring break. But, according to Maarten, less kids means more eggs, right?!

The kids were decoration cookies and also here he could practice his favorite hula hoops.

I also had to miss the Easter dinner at our compound. There were no kids at all but Maarten had tremendous time because he got attention of all those friendly "grandmas" spoiling him with toy eggs and delicious cookies and desserts.

K II with the kids

Yesterday was the first day of the spring break.
Our  Friday visit at the shanty town was a little different than usual as we brought also our children.
The boys played soccer and other ball games and the girls did hula hooping.
"Their soccer field" was really big and exposed to the fierce sun.  Therefore Maarten complained to be tired and he preferred to be with the girls in the shade practicing hula hopping.  
It was awfully hot again therefore all the kids were happy with the "aqua fresca" as they called it.
The ice cubes made their cup of water a real treat.

Desculpe madame, comemos...

The rich lush sweet potatoes vines grew over and through the wooden fence.  It was a nice sight that many admired. Until one day we noticed that the leaves started to look more like spider webs. Dozens of caterpillars were feasting on the dark green leaves.  Not only the sweet potatoes were suffering the beasts spread to other plants too. There was nothing left from my well bearing cucumber plants! In the beginning I was hoping that the birds will help me, but the caterpillars were  very greedy and fast. I decided to remove the potato vines hoping the invasion will diminish shortly.
In our compound there are many maintenance workers and also a team of gardeners. They all gathered  just across the street to watch me fighting the long sturdy vines and the hairy beasts.
Then their boss finally approached me asking me why don't I let the job to the gardeners.
Well, I knew why.  I just wanted to be sure that they don't let the caterpillars run onto my other plants.
Anyway, I agreed that they will clean up the nasty mess at our porch. They also promised to cut the  long grass that grew beneath the vines.  Their boss explained to them the same once more.
Next morning, before leaving for the township, I found the gardeners busy in our garden just like they promised. Only they were mainly digging out the sweet potatoes instead of cutting the grass.
Ooh no, no digging, only cut the grass, please!
I explained again and again pointing that they should cut the grass and leave the potatoes.
I know it is not always the same to communicate with different people here in Angola. Even though they all speak Portuguese  their education level is of a big importance as many speak street Portuguese, next to their local African languages.
That's why I pointed again to the potatoes already collected in their bucket and then to the ground, asking them to leave it there.
When I returned home there were no sweet potatoes in our backyard. I also considered the possibility that they misunderstood and put them back into the soil. There were none.
It was their siesta time so I went down to theirs to ask them where did they put my potatoes.
As usual they were laying down in the grass sleeping after the lunch.  I asked one of the guys I knew he was in our garden this morning and he shrugged sheepishly pointing to his colleague.

- Where are my potatoes?

- What do you mean?

- Well, you know very well what I mean!

- Sorry, madam, we ate them.

Swim Gala @ LIS

Spring Break Blues

Every year we have to renew our Angolan visa.
This is quite a time consuming process. First the employer needs to collect several documents to create a visa application package that needs to be approved by the Angolan Ministry of Petroleum. Then together with our passports it goes to the Immigration Services who issue the visa.
We started this process in the beginning of January which is almost 12 weeks ago!
Tomorrow is the first day of spring break and we will be stuck in Luanda.  Without our passports we are not able to travel not even within Angola.
Most kids will be gone. There are not many safe places to go with a child.  Also our private company beach is open only during the weekend.
Last time while walking through the farmlands below our compound we got surrounded by a group of quite aggressive young men asking for money. I don't dare to take Maarten there anymore.
There are many (expat) restaurants and public beaches but the security keep us warning about the increase in violent crime over the last couple months (see below) so I'm not really comfortable to go out with Maarten.

I guess, that's part of this hardship assignment.  We'll have some interesting weeks ahead!

"...there have been several reports of armed robberies involving expatriates and diplomats at all hours of the day and night, in vehicles and while walking. Most disturbing is the level of violence used by assailants in perpetrating these robberies. There have been at least three confirmed cases where victims were shot even after surrendering their valuables. The details of these incidents have been anecdotal and I look forward to hearing more from our members at our next meeting.

The Kinaxixi area, Altas Cruzes Cemetery, ESCOM building and close proximity to the U.S. Embassy continue to be problematic areas. A relatively new dynamic has emerged where assailants target individuals as they exit local banks, or ATM machines and confront victims on the street. In addition, there have been multiple reports of incidents on the Ilha as victims enter and exit vehicles, and at banks.

The U.S. Department of State has rated Luanda City Critical for both residential and non-residential crime. Although there appeared to be a relative decrease over the last six months following national elections, it is clear that crime is on the rise within the city and turning more violent.

A recent home invasion in the Miramar neighborhood demonstrates how criminals have become more brazen, and are not deterred by Local Guards. While the occupants of the residence slept – a burglar entered the residence, stole a number of valuables from a occupied bedroom and exited without alerting the Local Guard outside."

Most recent reports:

On Friday, at approximately 09:00 hrs., an expat was shot by two young men on motorcycle as he departed ShopRite in the Bellas Shopping Center. (supermarket nearby our compound where I usually do the groceries)The expat sustained injuries to both legs and his condition is unknown at this time.

On Monday, at approximately 18:00 hrs., another expat was a victim of an armed robbery as he walked from his office to housing compound – a brief distance. He was uninjured in that incident.

Field trip to the Craft Market

I volunteered to accompany Maarten's class to the Benfica Craft Market for a field trip.
They are learning about Money and Markets at school right now so this was good way to experience how it works.
Each child brought 1000 Kwanza (= $ 10.00) and they had to try to bargain and buy as much as they could.
They were divided in small groups and  had to fill in a form with questions on it like: How much did the item cost? What is it made out of? Where was it made? How much did it cost the vendor to make it? How much profit did he make? How many does the vendor sale each day? How much money does the vendor make each day?
The kids enjoyed shopping very much and they even made some good deals by bargaining!

Tudo bem? Sintas melhor?

Our driver had stomach problems that's why I wanted to be sure he is feeling better.

Ooh, madam, my stomach is better but I don't feel well.
My brother is dead.

Last night he was hospitalized. He was vomiting blood and died at 6 o clock this morning.
He was complaining that he is not feeling well when I spoke to him some week ago and that his eyes got worse lately, his vision became increasingly blurry.

The doctor said he was poisoned.
They put it in your food or drink. It can take months before you notice it.
Did he had any enemies? Or a high position?

No enemies, but a good job, yes.

It's quite common here in Africa, particularly in countries like Angola, Congo or Namibia.
When you don't like someone  or you want his job, wealth, his wife or everything you just get rid of him.

Ooh, madam, I'm never ever going to eat or drink in a restaurant again!
R.I.P.

Chess tournament

In January Maarten started playing chess as an afterschool activity and so far he loves it.
Next to his interest in bugs and reptiles I would say chess became his favorite activity.
His first tournament ended up quite discouraging. It was after only two classes and as expected he didn't win anything.
So I was nicely surprised that he wanted to attend even a greater game.

And today he even won three matches!

Wanna help? Please comment!

After a hot shower I'm sitting in our luxury air conditioned dwelling watching the storm and rain pouring down.  I have to think about the people who live in the shoddy shacks .  Despite we live so close to each other how different our lives are!
Today during our visit at "the ghetto" we were literally washed away by the heavy rain. I don't like to call the little neighborhood that way but that's how the locals do.
I've mentioned here already those peoples sad history.  Their homes were cleared to make way for new luxury property to house Angolan tiny middleclass that can afford it.

We visit there every week. Their miserable existence  seemingly get's none attention from the provincial government so we try to help them where we can. For the future we hope to arrange mosquito nets, I know how ambitious this sounds! 
So far we are only able to focus on helping them with education and literacy for the kids. We usually do some crafts with the children, play games, read books or teach them a little bit of English. This is the nice part that I truly enjoy.
But our stay there is not always as lyrical as it may sound.  Many times a heavy fight emerges not only between the kids but also between their moms. It's very sad to see that but that's their way of life, they always need to fight for even a very little.
We try to collect donations and bring them some food and water every week but distributing stuff usually ends in a fierce fight and bitter tears.
That's why today we went there exceptionally without having anything to hand out hoping to avoid causing chaos again.
I was a little afraid to see them being disappointed by not receiving at least their usual cookie or cracker but suddenly it started to rain and storm that entirely washed all my worries away.
We usually bring old cardboard boxes to sit on and write on. Obviously, there are no tables or chairs to use during our crafts or learning activities or while playing games.
Today when the rain started I quickly collected the cardboard in the hope to save it from the rain. The children were initially helping me but everybody spontaneously sought shelter from the rain under the lifted cardboard sheets.
Then they all started to laugh, sing and dance. 
Such a warm moment.

PS: We are working on several projects to improve their lives and we are permanently looking for donations of any type, food, water, (old) clothing, household goods, recycled paper, old pens, crayons…

Year 3 & 4 production

 

 

 

 

 

Polio and Tetanus Mobilization

Today we met with some other volunteers in Cazenga to spread the word about possibility to get vaccinated against polio and tetanus. Together with some local coordinators from Africare we walked door to door in the neighborhood and informed many parents there is a chance to get vaccinated at their neighborhood Casa Branca, the local medical centre.  Often we also needed to convince them how important this immunization is.

Student Led Conference at LIS

Last week I was called by Maarten's school. At first I thought he had an accident why else they would call me? But I was urged to sign in for the Student Led Conference. I had no idea what is it about and also why it is so important that they would even call me home to not forget signing in.
There was also a session for parents on Friday afternoon to practice for the occasion! I couldn't attend and it made me a little nervous. What is it going to be about? Why so much hassle?
Maarten was relaxed as always, no problem.
Today in the classroom he grabbed his little booklet to check all the activities we needed to go through.
He showed me his portfolio, his and his classmates self-written books, the classroom book of stories, their own classroom pet Ted Dancin'...
  I also took some pictures of their bulletin board showing building floats and egg drop activities.
 Most of the kids in his classroom speak other languages and they were challenged "rewriting" The 3 little pigs story in their own language. Maarten wrote in Dutch and he did quite well.
 We got stuck at the Money Game that he wanted to play again and again. 
He also showed me around his Portuguese class, EAL class, art class, music class, computer class, but we secretly skipped his PE room.  Maarten's tour ended up lasting for more than 3 hours instead of planned 1  hour!  He was so excited to show me everything he has done.

Class pet

Maarten's book

 

self-written books

 

float a boat challenge

 

building airplane

 

egg drop challenge

 

The 3 little pigs in Dutch

 

Money game

 

Maarten's contribution to the classroom book

 

unit of inquiry

 

"Koulik"
picture on M's art folder, he didn't like this pic calling himself Koulik

The Dot
from M's art folder

in the music classroom

reading levels chart