In Rodeos and Seminars...

 Teachers do a team building activity at the retreat.

 Students waiting in line for a chance to be an Orkeeswa student.

Mamas cleaning beans for school lunch.

Teacher Meetings
Monday and Tuesday we held teacher meetings.  My sister likes to say "remember Seth, in rodeos and seminars, the difference between being bored and gored is the quality of the bull."  I've tried to take that to heart when planning these meetings. I like to think things went well both days with some time for work, some time for educational theory and of course some time for volleyball. I really think we have some great teachers right now - both Tanzanian and Western.

Students Returned
Students returned in a peaceful fashion this past Wednesday. They were a bit tired and ready to go home on the first day. But, they were eager to be back in the classroom.

New Student Selection
Once again we held student selection this week. We had over 300 arrive the first day. But, since we only pull from three villages that number is quickly pruned to a more manageable amount.  First we make sure the student is who they say they are and that they belong to one of the viable villages.  Then, they sit for two tests over two days. Lisa and I helped grade the test yesterday but declined today. From the average of those two tests, we take the top 50 or so students and do a home interview with them. From that list the final 35 or so students are selected to be Orkeeswas.  It's exciting to think of the next personalities.



Mimyute
We have a form 2 student who did a good thing this week. Everything was off of the walls in the classrooms because volunteers had repainted.  We are in the process of putting up bulletin boards and other things, but hadn't made much progress in the form 2 classroom. For some reason two of the bulletin boards were left in the classroom.  I got word after school on Thursday that Mimyute, a form 2 student was looking for me. I thought he was likely sick (since that's what so and so is looking for you typically means...). I walked in the form 2 classroom and discovered something. The reason Mimyute was looking for me was because he was putting up the bulletin boards on his own and couldn't quite get the last screw out of the wall to hang the final board.  He wasn't looking for praise or attention. He just saw a need and worked to make his classroom better.  It was pretty simple, but it sure had an impact on me.