This is my first trip with Communities Without Borders - it has been both overwhelming and inspiring; confusing and exhilarating. This morning my team (Ruth, Cheryl, Tom and myself) met the teachers and children in Ng'ombe for the first time. Ruth has been teaching here for 3 years and when she first went to Ng'ombe, the "school" was an empty room with no books, paper or supplies. The young teacher, Nina knew very little about teaching. But now the classroom has tables and benches for all the children; there are bookcases with books on display; there are charts on the wall; and best of all, CWB has sponsored Nina to get teacher training as well as providing the books and supplies.

The children were inspiring - they look at you with such big eyes and they smile so easily. Little boys are the same everywhere - they wrote on their faces with chalk, they climbed under the table but when we settled down to work, they really learned. Little Peter who looked to be five worked very hard to write the letter "f" - and when he got it, he wanted to write it over and over!

Recess was such fun - we taught the children songs and games. (Lucia and Cheryl taught them "Hokey Pokey"!) Lillian ( age 6 or so) led all 45 children in singing a song that involved shaking their little behinds - we all laughed at that one.

While Ruth taught the kids, and Lucia and Cheryl were her helpers, Tom gave Nina technology lessons - her first time ever to use a keyboard!

We left exhausted but thrilled with our morning work. We won't see them again until Monday and we can hardly wait. We are also full of ideas for future improvements. While we taught, workers were digging up the dirt courtyard. Thanks to some wonderful donations to CWB, we are funding a wall to enclose the playground. This will make it a safe place for children to play - now we need to get them some outdoor supplies!

Back at the guesthouse we continue to be pleasantly surprised at the comforts here - hot water and showers!!!! (Ruth can't stop talking about the wonder of this!) And the food has been delicious - there is a new cook, Benson, and he is serving us a nice variety of meats and vegetables. For lunch today we had broiled fish - very bony but very flavorful. He served it with nshima - it is the national food here. It is made with maize and is similar in taste and texture to cream of wheat. Benson served it with a delicious tomato sauce. I'm looking forward to eating lots of it! Breakfast was bananas, toast with peanut butter, cold cereals - all very comforting. And hot water is always ready for coffee and tea.

This afternoon the group is splitting into many directions. The Lexington teaching group is touring the local basic government school, Simon Kapwepwe School. We are hoping to set up "sister school" connections. Another group is going to Bauleni to atttend a graduation of 7th and 9th graders - they are expecting to hear singing, dancing and poetry and to see very proud teachers and students.

As a group we were sad to say goodbye to Patrick who is flying back home today for medical reasons. Already our group seems smaller without him - we will continue on with all our best wishes to him! Lucia