Wednesday 23 October 2019

Day 5 Cultural village

Day 2 of teaching today.
Our TV interview having been postponed to Thursday afternoon, we made our ways to our respective schools at the normal time in the morning for our second day. Both groups, JTR and Ballanta, found the experience a lot smoother for yesterday’s practice, which allowed us to make some real progress. After only the second day, the Ballanta ‘teachers’ found previously inexperienced students able to understand the core concepts of music in a much improved way. At JTR as well, the Year 2s Hugo spent a session with were (almost) under control! It is a great feeling as well to be recognised and greeted by many students at both schools who clearly regarded us as friends as well as teachers. [ At JTR , Hugo and Lottie supported me teaching French to a Y8/9 class- sweaty but oh so rewarding! Pierre, the teacher really enjoyed himself watching us and taking part!]

After lunch we made our way to Murraydeen School, where the musicians played for a packed hall of enraptured children, who just 5 minutes in were already dancing along in their seats. Those of us in the audience were amazed by the additions to the set - Simon with a solo on the drums, and Freddie and Amelia on French horns. Our host school’s choir performed for us, and then we were swarmed by children looking for autographs and hugs. Amongst them was Old Wellensian Alex Warburton’s cousin! 


The afternoon was spent at Freetown Cultural Village, where the children of dancers from the city performed Sierra Leonian cultural dances for us, before we were taught to dance and to drum in the local styles. We were amazed by the talent and enthusiasm of the kids, who danced barefoot on a gravelly and dirty floor. They seemed very eager to impress, which they managed, both with us and the crowd of onlookers who gathered around.


For us two, the evening consisted of a drinks party at the British High Commissioner’s residency. We chatted with members of a local school exchange, as well as having a lengthy talk with the High Commissioner himself, including predictions for Saturday’s rugby!

The stormy weather on the drive home certainly wasn’t a reflection of how great the day was, and we are looking forward to the days ahead!
Hugo and JJ