celebrating at shule

I decided that the watoto were just too wild to do anything that required concentration the day before sikuu kuu started but they all said they still wanted to have shule so we planned a shule party (the trick of many-a-educators right before a holiday:)! Nothing too elaborate: I found some easy games and mixed up some koolaid and broke out the face paints. After singing, praying, and making a craft they all got their faces painted (with permission from their parents of course) and with help from a team mate I roped into to helping since she is a way better artist than I am. After everyone was adequately painted we had game time and soon had an audience from the neighborhood checking everything out. The most popular game by far was a relay where you run and then sit on a chair to pop a balloon. Preparing for this, lining the kids up, and explaining took forever but it was worth it for sure and turned out to perfect timing because as the sun set (and the fast was over) we were all able to enjoy candy, cookies, and koolaid together. Great start to siku kuu....

all the kids got to pick what they wanted on their face but they had to ask for it is English :) Butterflies, snakes, lions, and all things from the sea (fish, crabs, clams,etc.) were the most popular

Anni & some friends

trying to look hard core with a butterfly on your face just does not work...I love these watoto!

monkey masks and face paint makes for a fabulous party!

how sweet is she?

quite possibly one of my fav pics ever....I love that he picked a pink & purple butterfly & wears it with pride!

lining up for the relay

pasuka mabofu (pop the balloon)!

2 oldest kids square off with everyone cheering....

then my ridiculous self got in on the action! :)(just for the sake of...ya know...record keeping... I won! and no comments on surface area of my bootay compared to the kids)


everyone wanted to celebrate! Happy Siku Kuu watoto wa shule!