End of Term 1 outting

As you know, the first term of the school year is over. A few of us have been very busy with the kids doing crafts, music, and dances. Last week me and some of the teachers took the best performers of each class to Sipi Falls. Before stories and pictures from that adventure, here are the shining stars of Lulwanda Children's Home Primary School for Term 1 of 2010:

Overall best class: P2

Best Performers:
Top #1 = Samwiri (Samuel)
#2 = Esther B. (from community)
#3 = Joel
P1 #1 = Gift
#2 = Willy
#3 = Norah
P2 #1 = Sarah Khainsa
#2 = Sarah Gimono
#3 = Andrew
P3 #1 = John
#2 = Anthony Wojjambuka
#3 = Abel
P4 #1 = David Yeko
#2 = Joseph
#3 = Carol
P5 #1 = Brenda Nabwire
#2 = Brenda Namakoye
#3 = Chrispus (from community)
P7 #1 = Emma O.
#2 = Anthony Wanzala
#3 = Sylvia

Sipi Falls

Sipi Falls is located near Kapchorwa town (spelling?), about an hour away from Mbale. It is up in the mountains and know for 3 beautiful waterfalls. We started our day with a short hike to the base of the first falls.
I love seeing the reactions of the children when we take them new places. For many, this might be their first exposure to different situations... whether driving round and round to get up a mountain, to crossing a little bridge over a river, to being up close to a waterfall and seeing its force.

I saw my first camellion. Our guide spotted it and pulled down the small tree so I could get a better look (so maybe the kids are not the only ones having "first times").
I love this photo of Joseph. I did nothing to change it and I feel like I perfectly capture his discovery of the fresh, cool, droplets.


Behind the first falls was a small cave that the children got to enter. It was very fun to hear their comments as the lessons from their textbooks came to life.

From inside the cave

Emma O, Tr. Francis, Abel, Sylvia

After the base of the waterfall, the guides led us to the top of the falls. It was a bit of a slippery hike, seeing as the rains have started again.

Another bridge. They get more and more rustic as we get further up the mountain.
We made it to the top. Now time for some exploring.
"Teacha, is that a cow? I don't think it is, but what is it?"
Another student, "It's a DONKEY!!! I think"

The kids had set out that day with high hopes of adventure and swimming. Though the water was too high at the natural pool to swim, we had lots of laughs sliding (literally at points) down the mountain to go back to the van. Where we parked there was a little water divert that was not moving too fast. This would do for the beginning of their water adventures.

Testing to see how deep it actually was.

A little more brave.

And the winner... Abel. He was the first daring kid to step into the icy water.