What a gratifying and proud day. If you had asked me on Monday if our teachers were going to be able to present lesson plans using 21st century skills and digital technology (ICT as it called here), I would have said, no way. With limited English and rudimentary computer skills on Monday, it was mind blowing to watch how well these teachers were able to pick up the tools, philosophies, and then put it all together into well thought through lessons plans they can share with their students starting next week. We had teachers share lesson plans from simple 3rd grade math to complex topics like democracy and economics. They did it all.

The most impressive student was, Silvery. He is a new teacher with just about 2 yrs under his belt. His desire to learn is insatiable and ability to pick up the technology and concepts so quickly incredibly impressive. He shared a lesson plan on States of Matter that literally almost made me cry. Trust me, I know that sounds silly. It's just that before we came I had spent hours building a lesson plan on the exact same topic prior to our trip (and wasn't able to share it because it was affiliated with KAlite, a program we were unable to install due to performance).
He thought through and incorporated so many clever elements and technologies into his plan where students collaborated, tested their critical thinking, were
creative,  and communicated together. He truly has the gift of teaching and blew us all away. Many others were also impressive and I would say about 70% hit the mark to include all we taught. The other 30% tried and are still struggling with the 21st century 4 C's and will need to really think hard about how to move away from the traditional teaching model of teacher lecturing students.

A few of us were fortunate to also visit a nearby convent where they have a Montessori pre-school, hospital, and teaching center. The children at the preschool entertained us with songs and dances. The sisters shared their very organized and well supplied classrooms. They had such vastly better resources than the Motinko primary school we were teaching at and I asked the sisters why. They said it was because each student who attends their school must pay 5000 shillings ($2.50) a month and that is how they pay for supplies, whereas the primary school gets only government funding and that is clearly limited. I can only imagine what a shock is for these preschoolers to go from such a well resourced school to them primary school at age 7. It was hard to leave the kids especially because every one wanted to shake my hand and their smiles and enthusiasm
of our visit clearly was so special. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to visit the hospital or training center. Maybe on another visit to Africa.....

In the afternoon we had the ceremony to congratulate and celebrate our teachers through the program. We had music, a cake, and a certificate ceremony. It was so fun and after 5 intense days together, it felt like hanging out with old friends. We took pictures together and said our good-byes. It was super sad to see this part of our trip end. However, I am reassured by the belief that the teachers will use what we taught and really grow their students. They were also so proud of their  own growth.

Tonight the team4team was exhausted. We were just so happy to hang out together without any lesson planning needs for tomorrow. It felt like a well deserved Friday!!!

Tomorrow we go on a safari and have to wake up at 5:15am to get on the road! Yikes! I better go to sleep under my mosquito net (top preventative technique to avoid mosquito bites and malaria). Don't worry, I am taking pills too and have DEET spray just in case:))

It is the end to an emotionally and physically draining week. It has also been one of the most gratifying ever.