I forgotten to thank 2 persons. My company of volunteers - Wendy and Richard!
Hope it had been a memorable trip for both of you and to more volunteering trips to come!
(Esp grateful to Wendy - she was my very very very very hardworking project partner! From the collection, the prep of lessons, buying of stuff, discussion of the programme, admin details etc, she did it with a sincere heart, and certainly a GREAT help! For the many many man-hours and sleepless nights she had sacrificed, and being there as a reliable buddy, a caring friend and a always-ready project partner, i can't express enough gratitude to her. If not for her, I don't think this project will ever take off. THANK YOU, WENDY! You did a marvellous job!)

Before memories fail me, i better get some stuff jot down here...

25 Dec 09
First, flight was delayed. For almost 2 hours.
Touched down at Kathmandu airport, claimed luggage, cleared customs. 3.30pm.
Started our road journey by van. An almost 6 hours ride. Bumpy and unlit road, around the mountains. As it was winter, darkness fell as early as 5pm.
By the time we reached Chitwan Safari Adventure Lodge, it was almost 9pm.
Had our dinner and it was bedtime!

26Dec 09
Saturday is a non-school day. No teaching yet. So as planned, we had our R&R today.
AM: Canoe along River Rapti
PM: Elephant Festival + Elephant ride in the safari

**Before the actual teaching, we were told that our original plan to teach 4 hours per day will have to change due to Elephant Festival (school functioning half-day) AND kids having exams. With the last min news, it seemed that we can only teach 1 lesson per day. We just got to modify our plan (initial: 3 levels x 3 lessons) and come out with a new proposal. And to check with the principal tmr if it's feasible. Everything was so fluid, nothing really got confirmed.

27 Dec 09 (Sunday)
Given the changed plan, we got to the school at 10am. Ready to teach. And to check with the principal what is feasible.
Plan B: 27 -28 Dec: a 40 min lesson in the afternoon (1-1.40pm)
29 -31 Dec: 45 min in morning (10-1045am) and 40 min in the afternoon (1 - 1.40pm)
To teach only Level 3 and 4 (inital: level 1, 2 and 3. But after talking to the kids there, realised may have to teach higher level with our prepared materials)

So we went back to resort and to return for teaching only in the afternoon. And to realise that there was only ONE class there! Meaning....this class was "detained" just so that we can teach! Awww....while the other kids got to enjoy the Elephant Festival, this class had to stay back?! We felt so guilty.

First lesson: Level 3 (15 kids)
Topic: Colours
Activities:
- Introduction: Clumsily, we started introducing ourselves in Nepalese "Miro nam Wang hor..." etc...And you see many pairs of eyes QUIETLY staring back. Then when it's their turn, they go "My name is...." !
Ya, why are we speaking Nepalese and they are speaking in English? Silly us?!

1. Use of flashcards to learn the various colours. Most kids know the basic colours, especially RED! (seems to be a national-wide fav colour!). Colours like purple and brown are new to them.
Kids got to colour the worksheet as i went along to introduce the colours. From the photos, you could see how serious they are.
2. Applications of colours: kids were to colour the common objects - e.g. yellow for bananas and corn, red for apples, purple for grapes. Interestingly, they were very particular about the leaves on the apples and grapes. Hmm....cos they are supposed to be GREEN!
3. Colour the caterpillar: some kids liked a mono-coloured caterpillar, while some liked multi-coloured one.

We guai-guai kept to 40 min of lesson. At the end of the lesson, some kids toddled with us back to the resort. And along the way, comparing one another's worksheets, and mumbling among themselves in Nepalese. From the shy smiles, it's easy to see these activities were new to them. As we walked back, i pointed to the things ard and go "yellow flowers", "purple shoes", "red shirt"....

Later of the day, we decided that we could actually spent more time in school after the "formal lesson". This was because of the limited time given in formal lessons, so we had to give up songs, dances and handicrafts in the lessons.
So out came- Plan C: Optional activities (after formal lessons) on 29 and 30 Dec.

28 Dec 09 (Mon)
Did a morning walk in the village. Upon return, idea striked that we could actually start the optional activity today. And we shall have Plan D! And we started preparing...samples of origami (cranes, rabbits, hearts, shirt, pants -limited by a grp of non-creative ppl)

1.00pm - reached school.
Second lesson: Level 3 (And yes, they were the only ones left in school again! Awwww.....)
Topic: Body parts
Activity: Using flashcards, we went through the 22 body parts. The kids filled in the blanks in the worksheet. And repeatedly went through the terms. Terms like elbow, foot, knees were new to them. And have to "use" my poor co-teacher, Wendy to demonstrate the parts. Hahahaha...
Game: Each kid was given two post-it pad with different words and write their name on them. They came out to the front (where the flashcards were stuck on the blackboard but without the words) and stick the post-it pads on the matching flashcards.
Song: "Heads, shoulders, knees and toes". We the teachers got confused over the lyrics (didnt trust the lyrics and fumbled at the beginning...hahahaa...)
As the tables and benches were quite cramped, the kids had difficulty with the actions. So some of them actually bumped their heads (ouch!) while trying to reach their toes. So we asked them to come out. Somehow, they lined up. We didnt expect them to be so "formalised".
Anyway, they caught on to the song! =)

Optional activity: Out in the field! We split the class into 3 groups and each of us took a few students and started to teach/help the kids in the few origami we knew. These origami were then stuck on to construction paper (and most kids chose pink!).
The glue we brought there were all solidified except for a pathetic UHU glue Wendy brought. So the WHOLE class were running after one another for glue. If there was one sure word that they had learnt, it was "GLUE"! hahahaha....

[i have to take a break here...keep a look out for the subsequent days of lessons and photos!]