around the world

With 200 children on the compound, and close to 150 of them in the holiday program, it is hard to find ways to travel. That is why this holiday (May 6-28), we visited many countries—most without leaving the compound at all. 

Our theme for the three weeks was Around the World, so every activity came from a different country. From some we played games, some we did crafts, and some we even learned dances and went on outings. It was an affordable way to teach the primary children about different cultures and travel. 

At the beginning of the holiday, each child made his or her own passport. They wrote in their name, birthday, country of origin (or country they wish they were from), favorite food, favorite color, and had to draw a picture of themselves. There was also a box for their signature, so when they asked what that was I told them to write their name as fast as possible. They were illegible as any true signature. 

The children had to remember to bring their passport to every activity so they could get a stamp from that country. It was good practice in being responsible for something of their own, since most of what they have they share with everyone. And practice they need—out of 21 first grade students, only three still had their passports at the end. Good enough they aren’t really traveling yet. 

Here are some of the places we visited and things we did on our journey: 

Games in Pakistan

I knew almost nothing about Pakistan before coming across some children’s games from there. Now, I still know almost nothing about Pakistan, but the games are fun. In “Oonch, neech,” we play tag on a playground or big climbing structure. One person is it, and gets to decide whether the safe zone is oonch (up, or on the structure) or neech (down, or on the ground). Every time “it” shouts a different safe zone, the others have to try to get to that zone before they are tagged. 

Movie in Germany

Well, we watched Tangled. Which is about Rapunzel. Which is a German fairytale.

Craft in Holland

I know Holland itself is not a country, but that’s what the children here, along with most of the rest of the world, call the Netherlands. So we made windmills! Christian led this craft, for obvious reasons, and played Dutch music while they worked. I also learned how to make pepernoten, a Dutch treat that is only supposed to be eaten in December and resembles a small gingerbread cookie. 

Malaria in Kenya & Tanzania

Don’t worry, we didn’t give them malaria, as many of the children suspected when they saw this activity on the timetable. We used it as a time to teach them more about the disease and how to prevent it. In the end, they made malaria prevention posters about why it is important to use a mosquito net. 

Swimming in Honduras

Apparently in Honduras people can swim with dolphins, so what better place to visit than a swimming pool there? Of course, we had to pretend to be the dolphins ourselves, but the kids were quite good at it. 

Craft in South Africa

The younger children made paper hens because South Africa is either the biggest chicken exporter in the world or has the most chicken farmers or something like that. A lot of people have a lot of hens. 

Dancing in Mexico

Possibly the most fun I had during the holiday was teaching first graders how to do the Mexican Hat Dance and Macarena. 

Pig Roasting in Argentina

While in Argentina they roast a whole pig at a go, we didn’t take it quite that far. I was told at the beginning of the holiday that we have way too many piglets at the farm and we were welcome to eat some if we wanted. I wasn’t so crazy about eating a baby pig, but I really wanted to learn how to slaughter one! Unfortunately, the slaughtering happened while I was busy with another program, so we will have to do pig roasting again next holiday, I think. 

We had a good camp setting, all seated around the campfire while we sang songs and told stories. We cut the pork into small pieces to roast on sticks and the children had their fill. I taught them some songs my family used to sing by the fire growing up and recited Where’s My Teddy? because I’m not good at making up stories of my own, especially ones that rhyme. It was a greasy, enjoyable evening. 

Craft in China

Auntie Naigaga (a Peace Corps volunteer who also has an English name which is Maren) spent a year living in China when she was a teenager, so she shared some of her knowledge and experiences with us. We learned a Chinese song about two tigers, one with no ears and one with no tail, and then colored posters that said “Welcome to Uganda” in Chinese characters. They were beautiful! 

Games in Canada

Our Canadian volunteer was excited to share some of her childhood culture with our children, especially lots of songs she sang as a kid. I will admit when she said they were going to first paint Union Jack, I imagined a fat little fur trapper and was disappointed when I found out it was only a flag, but I got over it. We played British Bulldog, a tag game. Interestingly, the children had the hardest time remembering and saying the word “British.” When they were supposed to shout to initiate the game, we heard a lot of “bush!” and “bishel!” and things like that. 

Craft in Russia

Naigaga has also lived in Russia, so we decorated the very long words for “hello” and “welcome.” 

Games in Australia

I loved reading through Australian aborigine children’s games because most of them are based off training for hunting or other real-life scenarios but have strayed so far from the original that they hardly resemble anymore. For example, when people hunt they have to be able to throw a spear at a moving object. Children used to practice that by throwing sticks at pieces of wood floating down the river. We further adapted it to where the children threw tennis balls through a rolling truck tire. 

Food in Guatemala

As it turns out, the staple foods in Guatemala are very similar to the ones in Uganda. The children learned about nutrition: the food groups, portion sizes, and the effects of different foods on the body and brain. 

Taekwon-do in Korea

It was only one Korea when Taekwon-do started. We took some children for an outing to Kampala to visit a studio where there is real Taekwon-do training. We only had one lesson, but it was a fun and challenging start. Between the self-defense moves, strength training and Chinese “relaxation” (as our instructor called some of the ab and thigh exercises), plus a few hours in a bus, we were all a little sore the next day. The boys are telling stories of how they are going to catch thieves on the compound now.