Mission Complete

Saturday morning was rainy, overcast and a bit cold.  Nevertheless, the Terrat students arrived ready to build gardens #2 and 3.  Each week we make a few less mistakes and learn a few more lessons.  This week we were well-prepared!  We got all of the soil, compost, bamboo poles and grasses well in advance.  Four of our friends, Kate, Rusty, Ashley and Rich, were along to help.  We were feeling pretty confident that we would get both gardens built...and we did!

Our first garden is in the middle in the back, #2 and #3 in front.

Of course, the day wasn't without it's hiccups.  Lesson #1 - Just because we told the kids to bring buckets last week, doesn't mean they will bring them this week, too!  Lesson #2 - Even though the big kids are bigger, the little kids can carry more and work faster.  Split the teams accordingly.  And Lesson #3 (the most important lesson) - Even if they don't understand your language, children can read your faces and your temperament.  In those moments of frustration, where we mzungu argue about the "best way to engineer" the project, keep a smile on your face and joy in your voice.  The children miss it when it's not there - and they'll tell you so!

We went out to the school again this morning to continue the discussion on the water aspect of the project.  We have a lot to share with you about what's coming next!  Stay tuned for another update in the next day or two.   In the meantime, Gardens #4 and #5 this coming Saturday!