Last Day of School - July 14

The last day of school at Ecole les Amis du Monde is not quite like our last day of school, where most activities have already reached their peak, leaving the last day a bit anti-climactic.   This is much closer to the craziness of our first day.  There are awards, announcements for next year, musical entertainment, a soccer tournament....excitement was in the air!

Tammy and I were given matching dresses to wear on the last day.  We were very hesitant to show up to school in matching ensembles, but we did not want to be rude......When we arrived and saw that all the other teachers outfits made from the same material, it all made sense; we were being included as fellow professionals!

Although we arrived at 7:30am, the presentations only began to get under way at around 9:00.  Part of this was due to the fact that rice, oil and beans were being proportionally divvied up among the classes. Part of the incentive for parents to enrol their children in school, is that the school provides students with one meal everyday.  Also, at the end of the year, students who have completed their level will receive additional foods.  The government supplements this initiative in a very limited way.  This year, I think they donated one litre of oil to every student in grade 2.  However, Francois (school director) and his budgetary brilliance, made sure that everyone got something.  Of course, the assistant minister of primary education showed up to announce his generosity ;)

Opening presentation by Assistant Minister of Primary Education

For scholarly excellence, the top 5 students of every class were awarded school books for their next year.

A time for celebration!  After all of the awards and announcements, it was time to celebrate the end of another school year.  We knew there was going to be music....we had no idea that they came with dancers and a pyromancer!

Invited to Dance

Pyromancer

Bright Futures of Burkina sponsored a soccer tournament - for which we gave next year's school supplies to the finalist and semi-finalist teams.  

It should be noted that this soccer tournament is played with trees in the middle of the field and without shoes.  It kind of makes all of our safety gear and precautions seem excessive. 

This painting was made as a Thank You to Swansea School-
 for  all the work and fundraising done to support Ecole les Amis du Monde.
I will be hanging this in a place of honour.