~Kindergarten~
It was time for the kindergarten program to start proper. We shifted the whole schedule forward to start on the 21st of May, and everything ran like clockwork. Speaking of clocks we tried to teach the kids how to tell the time in English. The kids got to take home their very own clocks which they had made.
When teaching the kids the numbers, we realised that the kids knew how to recite one to ten very well. But if you showed them any number in between, they would have to start counting from one again in order to recall the name of the number in English. So Esther reviewed with them the numbers using flashcards in order for the kids to immediately recognise the numbers and say it in English. There was one really funny moment when Excelsis had to answer a question of some sort that required her to go beyond the number 10 to something like 15. So she started counting from one using her fingers and when she ran out of fingers, she bent over and started counting her toes before finally shouting the answer confidently in English. “15!” It took all my strength to keep from bursting out in laughter. Childlike innocence is beautiful.
~Water Party~
Lazy afternoon syndrome kicked in as we made plans to do house visitations and evangelism. However, we were called on to fetch water from the well across the road as the good weather we had for the past week reduced our water supply drastically. City kids like Darren and I were puzzled about the mechanics of fetching water from the well with a bucket. Without a proper flick motion, the bucket dropped into the well will just float and this unable to contain any water! After many attempts, we finally got the hang of it. Imagine all the mocking we received from the local children.
We worked together as a team. Sometimes we will go in a pair to fetch 3 buckets at once. Other times, we would go one by one. It's easier to do it in pairs because the load of the bigger pail is shared. All of us worked and worked and worked. Finally after numerous trips, we have filled up the 2 tubs in toilet, 2 full containers and many other smaller ones.
A job well done. Gathered lots of stares and giggles from the villagers in the process.... *Wonder what are they thinking of?*
~English for Juniors~
Due to some miscommunications, about 6 students came over for English for Junior Programme. Not wanting to disappoint them, Jessica came forward to take them through a short session with what we have prepared for the next day. 
She taught them basic questions and replies like "MY NAME IS", "I am ___ years old". Then we went on to using a kindergarten book to teach basic sentence structure. We tried to structure our lesson to suit daily conversations, so that they are able to apply and use them often. Lots of interactions and questions & answer sessions were included to encourage participation. After the lesson, all of them were eagerly anticipating next day’s English for Junior’s Programme.
~Dinner~
Dinner was accompanied by our favourite fruit. The king of all fruits - DURIAN. Woe to those *ahem* who doesn't like it. The princess finally plucked up her courage to try her very first piece of the sacred fruit. It was a good try, but didn't like it nonetheless.... maybe another time.
In the evening, we had an hour session of songs with a medley of instruments. Jessica as on the out-of-tune guitar, while Esther played the violin and Uncle Famachoi topped everything up with the recorder. We sang and sang till our hearts go wild. But at least we had coconut drinks to soothe our throats. Events like this would always be part of our memories as we recall the good times we had in Nias.
Soon it’s time for bed.
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