Sundays at Wema

Sunday is my favorite day at Wema. Most of the students do not have class, except for Class 8 and Form 4, who are studying for national exams so have class everyday and must live at Wema. We started the day going to church services. Starting at 9 am, the services last for two and a half hours. The services at my temple for the most religious holidays usually only last half an hour longer. It amazes me that the students lead services every Sunday and stay engaged throughout the service. Many of them speak during the service and discuss their own feelings. I loved seeing that some of shyest students in the classroom were the loudest singers in the service. I pointed this out when I was asked to speak during the service and hope to bring more of the students out of their shells this week.

Laura at the Wema Hair Salon

After services, some of the middle school aged students read to me from the new books we brought over. The books are already getting a ton of use! In the afternoon, we did crafts with the children and then had a bit of a dance party. I am trying to get some of the older girls to teach me traditional dances, but they would rather just laugh at me attempting to dance to Beyonce’s Single Ladies.

One of my favorite students to see this year is Paul. Last year, I read to him after Teresa and Stephen told me his mother had passed away in a car accident. He was very sweet but did not talk. Now, he is completely engaged in all activities, extremely talkative, and both a great reader and soccer player. It is amazing what a year can do to a student’s personality and confidence at Highway Academy.

We were finally able to bring Form 4 into the computer lab for a lesson because they finished the exam they were working on all week. I loved seeing that most of them have remembered typing skills we taught them last year and are able to help each other if they get confused.

Here is a final photo of a lamb the day it was born. It may wake me up with its crying really early in the morning, but it is pretty adorable…