Fun and games visiting community schools
Recently TTCSZ volunteers Tongayi Musiwacho (Zambia), James Kirkland (UK) and I visited four schools and lead some language and physical activities with students aged 4 -12 years. The visits in the Chawama and Chibolya zones of Lusaka were kindly co-ordinated by community school Zonal Representatives. The physical activities started with MeMe/Mei Mei, a traditional Zambian circular tag game. There was some fast running around the outside of a circle once children already tagged by a ball tried to escape the child chasing them. We followed this up with team games including skipping ropes, a bean bag throwing activity and a team competition to see who could walk fast/run while balancing a ball on a racquet. Serious concentration was evident as students tried to keep the balls still as they raced back to their teammates! The games included skills from Zambia’s primary school PE curriculum and activities inspired by Mini Movers, University of Wales TSD. The ‘big finale’ was having fun with a multi-coloured parachute. The children moved it around in circles and enjoyed rippling it up and down. But, when some light balls were put on top of the parachute, the fun really started. They were flung high into the air! The students also loved running under (and even jumping on top of) the parachute. We also took with us a big book of ‘Handa’s Surprise’, a basket full of exotic (felt) fruits and a range of masks for the African animals who sneakily stole delicious fruits from Handa’s basket! There was singing, role play and student participation. One of the Head Teachers sent a message saying the story was amazing. As visitors, we were treated to very special poetry readings and singing at some schools. The joyful laughter of the children, and the adults, made this a memorable exercise. Thanks to everyone involved. Lyn Hall (Chairperson, TTCSZ)
