Im Poo Pai

 

Thursday marked the end of our first term of school for the year 2009.  During this term, Erna Bossman, our mentor teacher, a South African, had taught the children a Chinese song with motions, "Im Poo Pai."  The children loved the song and often after lining up as they moved to another area they would sing it and do the motions. 

 

So for our final day, we decided to invite the mothers, aunties, Kamau family, and a few others to come for a final event.  The 4 oldest girls helped Teacher Bossman make the stir fry Chinese Lunch.  The children had made paper lanterns and fans after reading a Chinese folk tale about those things. Teacher Bossman brought several sets of chop sticks so some folks were able to try and eat using the chopsticks.  I still saw fingers being used – the Zambian way. 

 

We ended with a special program.  We began with everyone singing the Zambian National Anthem.  The children shared songs they had learned, a poem about the 7 days of creation, Bible verses, and more.  We closed the program with the teachers giving "awards" to each child as mothers quietly cheered for the children.  These small awards of encouragement will be posted next to pictures of each child that they have in their houses.

 

It was a lovely day and an opportunity to really appreciate the children and all that they have been doing.