I recently had the priviledge of heading to a small village called Wowobo about 4hrs away from Kapuna. It was a great boat ride, going from one major river system to another through a network of narrow waterways and different size rivers. Our mission was to support a group of mothers who have started teaching the village children. 15 years ago the government run school was closed down and the village told they were not allowed to build any new buildings or get any new services. The village is the proposed site for the end of the new Highlands-Gulf highway and deep water port on their front doorstep. Hasn't happened yet. So, in true spirit of when you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, these mothers have marched down and lit the light themselves, offering a new enthusiasm for school along with new opportunities.
Our first activity was a very entertaining game of mud soccer. One of the favourites in this province!!! Fantastic to watch and I wished I had joined in, although i don't think the kids would have been so into it if there was a white female adult playing with them! I stuck with paparazzi photography.
Evening the whole village turned out for a game of Volleyball which was a fun way to spend the rest of daylight after meetings and the days work.
The next day we had about 30 kids in the village long house for school. They were excited to show off their alphabet, numbers, shapes, colours and singing to us. Those who didn't have paper got a stick and drew their letters in the clay ground. We only had to turn a few 5's around and get them doing some letters in the correct way. On the whole though very good and a few bright kids!
After about 4 hours of songs, games, alphabet, maths and reading we were ready to call it a day (us more than the kids probably) and we wandered back home for some lunch and to wait for our dinghy to come and collect us.
I loved being in the village and will remember it as a highlight of my time here i think.
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