After the birthday celebrations of the night before, the team were up for their customary 7am breakfast & still searching for the elusive word or phrase that would enable us to be served eggs with runny yolks! It was no surprise to find curried chicken gizzards on the menu and the smiley face of Dimple, one of our volunteer coaches, sat at the table.
Assembling outside the Stay Easy Inn, our first surprise of the day was to find that the reschedule of the rescheduled programme was still intact and that we were to go to Bothakga School, an establishment for children with physical and mental disabilities, about 35km to the south of Gaborone in Lobatse.
We parked up in the shade of the solitary tree on the dust bowl of a large play area. Vards and Vusi went to check in with the Head whilst the planned carousel stations were set up. Slowly 15-20 children meandered down onto the field, where small games of catch were started, all of the children eager to join in.
Vards returned, children were assembled for the welcome chat, when they were summoned to go and have breakfast – they would be back in 40 minutes! (We’re learning fast to not take anything for granted until after it has happened)
Whilst contemplating what to do to fill the time, the primary school next door came out for break – about 150 of them. Games of catch and chase took place, normally ending in a ruck from which the ball eventually re-appeared along with several dusty children. Break time over, we managed to clear the area, breathing a sigh of relief that our kit was still in place.
Breakfast over the children returned, and the bowling, catching and batting activities started, with the accompanying chants of ABC T. Despite the reluctance of some of the teachers to let children get involved due to their perceived lack of ability, we managed to include all and adapt activities accordingly – every child went away having caught at least one catch. In truth, virtually all of the children we worked with would have been in mainstream schools in the UK. It was great to see the enjoyment they got, especially one 5 yr old girl who seemed to take great enjoyment in following Vards and throwing the ball at him.
On the road, stop off at the supermarket for our first non-curry lunch – DIY rolls.
The afternoon school was only a 10 min drive away . At our welcome with the Head, she started to say ‘ you are most welcome but I’m sorry we have to go on a visit ……….’ Fortunately she meant all the teachers bar one were out for the afternoon.
Decision had been made that the afternoon session would comprise of a carousel of four different skill stations in anticipation of expected 160 children. These were set up whilst Dimple (local coach and translator) whipped the locals up into a frenzy with his warm up. Whilst the activities were started Sergeant Major Vards had decided to initiate his new recruits (Ali, Nick & Malcolm) by doubling the numbers of pupils playing – so now it was 60 – 80 at each activity. ABC T messages reinforced we retreated to the bus with the feeling of a good afternoons work accomplished.
Returning to the Stay Easy, quick shower and thirst quencher and meal before off to the Botswana National Stadium, tickets courtesy of Shameela’s favourite uncle, to see the local derby . A fairly uneventful game and surprisingly quiet crowd saw Township Rollers beat Extension Gunners 2 – 1.
A long hard day in the heat ended with the good news that the 4 local volunteer coaches will be accompanying us on the second leg of our adventure in Francistown.