Pizza Day!

I can’t say that today was too exciting. We got up at 6:30, way too early for my liking.  We went to the office to check emails and book our hostel and safari trip for the weekend, but unfortunately the internet wasn’t working.  We left and headed to Munali for the 9:40 morning session.  The stupid malaria pills had left me feeling pretty sick today so having to deal with 4^th graders wasn’t very fun.  Chrissy has recently been the one to feel sick from the blue pills of death (as we call them) but today it was the reverse and I felt her pain. 

After Tunduya’s session, which we just split the kids into two teams and did races, we went to Tionge (our favorite school to work at).  Our p.e. sessions this week for the older kids were focused on review of all the topics we’ve covered thus far.  The students needed to be prepared for a quiz that was supposed to be happening on Thursday.  To be honest we’re pretty doubtful about it actually happening.  The review went well because we split the kids into 5 small groups and each covered a different topic.  Finally, the other peer leaders have listened to us about it being more effective to have smaller group discussions.

We got samosas for lunch sat in our usual spot on the rock wall waiting for the Munali Girls’ High School p.e. session.  None of the girls showed up and the peer leaders didn’t seem to be surprised.  After waiting a little longer we assumed it wasn’t happening and took that as a sign that we could leave.   Chrissy then headed back to the office to do a lot more work on the leadership workshop.  Then she met Ivy at the hospital to meet with the administration about being able to spend more time at the hospital.  It was really disorganized and no one knew exactly who they needed to talk to for their visits to be approved.  Unfortunately, they left knowing that they just had to go back again the next day.

I stayed and coached my basketball practices as I do every Tuesday.  I really hoped that I got more boys today that I had yesterday, for both the junior and senior teams.  My junior practice started late and I had only 6 players, but it went well.  They are always really enthusiastic about any drill that I make them do, and we had a solid hour and a half practice and then I let them play 3 on 3.  The senior boys team had a better turn out of 8 or 9.  I really love working with them as well, and I had them work on their weaknesses: foul shots, finishing pressured lay-ups, and boxing out.  I made them run for all their misses.  Also at the end of practice they had to pay for their mistakes from the game on Saturday.  I made them run 30 sprints – it was a combination of their turnovers and missed layups.  They weren’t too happy about it but they obliged and ran them all.  After that we had a team talk, which I thought was much needed.  I told them that this was the time for them to be able to give personal feedback, both to the coaches and to each other as players.  A lot of them spoke up and I was really happy about that.  I then had the coach leave and talked to them on my own.  I know that their coach doesn’t really listen to them very much or take into account what they think is best, so I said I would have that role.  I need to boost their confidence because sometimes the coach totally demoralizes them – I’m going to make that my mission for the next 2 weeks.

After practice I got a ride to pizza where I met Chrissy and Ivy.  I was late so they already had the pizza and Mubanga was there to give us a ride home.  Once back we did our work out, and then ate and just hung out.