Dear Supportive Friends,
What do you remember about those “good old high school days?” Every once and awhile someone will recall someone falling asleep (and out of their chair) during a lecture or a chemistry lab project that resulted in the evacuation of the school, but most memories are centered around the extracurricular, aren’t they? It was the Friday game, concert or the like that made the week in class bearable. That part of student life is universal, it seems.
There was a lot of energy on campus the past couple of weeks in preparation for the meeting of Idigima vs Hezya Secondary School. The original schedule was to be an early afternoon, open-air debate on the pros and cons of advanced technology on society.
Following the debate there were to be matches in girls’ netball, co-ed volleyball, and boys’ football (soccer).
In preparation, an in-school debate was held the day prior. For a group of kids who have seen little more than a cell phone from the realm of advanced technology, they did quite well in identifying the advantages and disadvantages to society.
When the big day arrived, Hezya did not . . . not on time, anyway. Rain, dirt roads, and an open truck “school bus” is a formula for delays. We were so disappointed when they announced that the debate would be cancelled to allow time for the sports.
Spirits quickly soared, however, after the Idigima volleyball team won all three matches.
The girls’ netball match was next, and it seemed like a well-matched event during the first half; it ended with Idigima up 1-0. Coach Mwamini must have seen something during the first half, because she was in deep and intense discussion during the break.
And wow, what she put into those kids during half time worked. They ended the match by dominating 7-0!
The final event was the boy’s football (soccer) game. A group of kids were marching around the field during most of the game, shouting, singing, chanting and cheering. The weather was perfect all evening, which is unusual this time of year…it has been raining off and on nearly every day lately.
Soccer fans, forgive me; I don’t know how to describe a soccer game . . . a lot of running and whistle blowing and plays being called back.
There seemed to be a lot of corner kicks, which are big scoring opportunities. Our goalie was active and proficient all evening, holding Hezya to ZERO while Idigima offense scored two goals, plus one that was called back.
All in all, a very exciting and pleasant evening. Gary walked with students to Idiwili after the game to visit the market for some grocery shopping and returned home after dark. One of the students escorted him home to make sure he got home safe.
We were more concerned about him (Fikiri) getting back to Idiwili safe, as by then the clouds had moved in and were threatening rain with the pitch blackness. We loaned him a flashlight and umbrella.
All God’s best to our lovely friends,
Gary and Joanne
