Miss Sophia's Special Day

Today was Sophie's birthday and we all went to 94 school to help her celebrate.  Sunday, the tuck-shop lady at 94 had kindly offered to provide biscuits and 'minerals' (i.e. coke, sprite etc.) for her celebrations (at a nice profit to her!!).  Whilst watching the students do their usual early morning singing and marching we chatted to Sunday, who was angry with me and Miss Tutu for not going to 94 for the last few days.  We then attempted to get African and carry a tray with a water bag on, on our heads- I don't think we did too badly as no one dropped it! Then we began the school day by assisting with Sophie's jolly phonics lesson, which began with a beautiful rendition of Happy Birthday from the students.  The KG2 class (who Sophie has been teaching) teacher, Miss Rebecca, seems rather harsh at first, and is very strict with the children (some of her best phrases include "What is wrong with you?", "Keep Quiet", and "Respond"), but she is clearly much nicer than she appears as she was very pleased with herself for getting the children to sing, and even bought Sophie some apple juice! The students were a bit mental today, but that's usually quite fun, and they were really enjoying the new sounds and actions, so that's all that matters really!

After phonics we went into a Fantse lesson to attempt to pick up some more of the local lingo, this meant learning a number of crazy letter combinations that actually make a completely different sound, I think I have forgetten them all by now! After this it was lunch time, rice and fish in its usual epic portions which I obviously can't finish! And then it was finally time for Sophie's party, and most of the teachers came up to the staff room/future computer lab to wish her well.  There were hymns and prayers and another round of Happy Birthday before the biscuits and minerals were distributed.

After all of this the day was still not done, as it was time for us to begin painting, we had intended to do some pictures and slogans around the playground in lots of bright colours, but Ken seemed to have other ideas, as he provided us with some emulsion and directed us to the computer lab, which is soon to receive it's computers! Apparently though, in Ghana paint has to be diluted with water, and so one of the teachers had to sort us out before we could get going properly.  As the students and eventually the teachers all went home, we were left to finish the job, with the help of the "crazy cook lady" who was eyeing up our paint bucket.  Just as we were nearing the end (minus the part near the ceiling that we couldnt reach) the lady who cooks for the school, and apparently lives there during the week, came in and did the top section for us!

We ended the birthday celebrations with a pizza at JD's (not so) Fast Food and a trip to the hotel bar to visit Michael (the barman), who provided us with some hefty shots of Cardinal (the local strawberry liquor)- essentially half a tumbler- not bad stuff!