A week in the life of .....

Having not been able to get on to the computer for a few days, there is a wealth of experiences to be put to paper but where to start.

Since Monday we have been painting three rooms and a corridor with pictures from Elmer the Elephant - multicoloured and nothing like you would imagine! We have done purple trees and pink and yellow polka dot flowers - and this is not a result of lack of sleep!

We have also had the privilege of being taken around the slums of Tigri and met the people there. They have such harrowing stories but are always welcoming. We met a girl of about 9 years old who has lung TB, she went into hospital for injections and had a sline drip, which unfortunately became infected and she has had an operation to cut out the infection, sadly this became infected and her whole hand is now black, and she is in danger of having her hand amputated. We prayed for her and for her family for healing. We met a 75year old man who is looking after his two grandchildren aged 12 and 7, as his son and daughter-in- law had died. the community around him are rallying round and helping to look after his grandchildren. This sense of community is inspiring.

The children here are always cheerful and ready to greet us with a smile and always wanting to shake our hands. They have been following Daisy around - she has such an entourage it is a pleasure to be part of her court Even in the traffic she gets all the men glancing into the mini bus just to see her. Her Daisy chain grows daily.

Today we met Dr Kieran Martin and heard the inspirational stories from the older children here, who are doing their GCSE and A level exams in March. Because it is so noisy here, they are doing their revision at 4.00am 8.00am or 9.00pm - 12.00pm, very often they will be working during the day to support their family. Despite this they are getting 85% and upwards in their exams. They are all very eager to learn as they know that this is the key to their future. We often take for granted in the UK the opportunity we have for education, it is the complete opposite here, they know that if they do well, then they will have a much better future. It is humbling to hear of their hopes and dreams, and to know that with hard work and application, they will make it.

The painting here is now nearly finished, just a black and white checked elephant to go! The team has done a tremendous job and a lot of hidden artistic talent has emerged. We are going to do a collage of Elmer this afternoon - so expect glue and bits and pieces everywhere. Also the balloon modelling might make another appearance such was it's popularity last time. I think Ian will be dreaming of dogs soon.

We will be going to the inauguration tomorrow, which will mean getting rid of our painting clothes and dressing up!

Harry has been such a hit with everyone. Especially his antics out of the mini bus window in the traffic - he actually spent the night with us last night as he was not feeling very well.

We have had such fun with the children and the helpers here. We have done face painting and nail painting with them, and they have done henna work with us. Yesterday, we even had dancing lessons which was a hoot. We have very achy muscles now from doing the different moves. This has nothing to do with the five flights of stairs we do daily to get to our room.

John - the ear plugs have come in very useful at night as the surrounding area is very noisy. Could do you with you bringing me a coffee though - I have to get up and go to breakfast before I get a cup!

Have managed to do some shopping and bought a few presents for everyone still got some money left but not much. See you soon. Jxx