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Little Kirsty Ventures to Pastures New
Ok- first I'd like to say a huge thank you to Enid, for her contribution- I've used you're money to buy some books for the deaf children- so thank you! Also a biig thank you to Sheila- I recently received your books of games and they're ab fab! Will def be using some of the games from there.
So glad I've finished my March hols postcard- but now I've gota fill you in on the Deaf Camp!
On Monday, I showed my classes "Braveheart" and their reactions were quite amusing. Luckily the Malaysian VCD already has the sex scenes cut out but it's kept some kissing, which I thought would be fine but the kids were like "aahh!" Fair doo's the Form 1's might have been shy, but the form 3's were all giggling big time as well. But when it came to the blood and violence- they were loving it! Like actually cheering the Scotts on- was funny, yet weird.
On Tues, Aman and I set of with the deaf children for our Deaf Camp in Ranau. We were both really looking forward to it and had our finger's crossed that it would be a success.
It was quite a long bus ride and was quite surreal cos I had my ipod on, yet I could communicate fine with the students- like when they started to sign to me- I automatically turned off my music to talk to them, then realised that I didn't need to be able to hear to chat to them- was cool. So glad I've managed to pick up loads more sign this week.
Was a bit rough with my signing on the bus, but the kids were so keen to help me- they're all amazing- just up for a laugh and really patient when it comes to teaching me sign.
The camp was so much more than I expected- completely surrounded by the mountains and the main outdoor section looked directly out towards Mt Kinabalu- like it was literally on the doorstep- was so impressive.
We dumped our stuff in the girls dorms, got some lunch (similar to the asrama food) and began our games at 2pm.
Aman and I had complete control over the camp, and there were 5 teacher's from the Deaf department there to help with the groups when needed. There were 5 groups of kids- the Elephants, Zebras, Orangutans, Tigers and Lions. The teacher's were really enthusiastic as well, which really helped and the kids were up for anything- they never ran out of energy or complained once- was great!
It was absolutely freezing when we arrived, cause the camp is up in mountains, so it was a bit strange to see everyone wrapped up so warm. Aman and I were a bit unprepared on the clothing front. We were so concentrated on organizing the games and props that we packed last minute and only brought a small bag each. The kids all had huge bags bulging with stuff. So we were freezing in our one and only thin jumpers, while they all had their hats and gloves on!
We started with teaching the kids the camp song. We had run through it once previously at the school and they love it so had the moves sussed straight away!
We then discussed the meaning of "Teamwork" and got down to doing some games.
Aman and I had created a large scoreboard with the names of each activity down the sides, so that each team was competing throughout the camp. We also had points for best teamwork.
Before we began activities- we gave each team an egg to baby-sit. They all had to keep it alive until the end of the camp.
Our activities that day were- 1.Acting out letters- in their groups, the kids had to act out the letter or word that Aman and I signed to them. The quickest to complete the letter won (they had to lie on the ground and make the shape of the letter). 2. Over and under ball game race. 3. Spider roll race- I learnt this at Xite and it came in very handy- the kids were loving it. 4. Egg (well ping pong) and spoon race. 5. Sack race 6. Splash game- the group had an open bottle full of water with a ping pong ball floating at the top- they had to carry it round one circuit of the camp, without spilling the water or having their ping pong ball stolen by the teachers.
We then had dinner and that evening we had a group discussion on the topics- funniest memory, best memory and dream in life. The kids came up with some hilarious stuff and I was beginning to pick up some more sign language.
We finished with the camp song and headed for bed. Next morning I woke to see the most beautiful sunrise out the window- so of course I jumped out of bed, grabbed my camera, and headed outside. I was ¾ asleep but managed to get some good snaps. It was only 5.45am and morning exercise wasn't supposed to start until 6.30pm, but the kids were so eager that they were already lined up and ready to go! Crazy! So Aman and I quickly got ready and joined them for a nice warm up. We even ended up taking the second half- taught them some warm up moves from our dance class.
After breakfast, we all headed out on a fantastic jungle trek. Was great fun- first we had to tackle going under an army style tunnel in the mud, then through the jungle, which was almost (but not quite) as muddy as uncle Tan's. We found ourselves sliding down vertical hills, having to get across a crevice over 2 horizontal poles- climbing a vertical mudslide using ropes- then down the other side, which was absolute banter. The kids- especially the boys, were great at giving a helping hand- especially if your about to slide into a pile of mud!
3 hrs later we emerged back at camp- caked in mud, with branches and twigs on our hair, and the majority with big smiles on their faces. However, I soon discovered that a couple of the girls had cried the whole way cause they really weren't liking it.
After that long haul, we had 200 steps to climb, before reaching the dorms- fun fun.
The kids are obsessed with showering. Fair enough after the jungle trek- but Aman and I calculated that they shower at least 3 times a day. I'm gona be brutally honest here and tell you that I couldn't be arsed showering while we were there- we were sleeping in our clothes anyway cause it was so cold and it was too bloomin freezing to be getting showered.
Anyway, after lunch, we had a cool face painting session- where the kids painted each other's faces according to their group's title. The tigers were looking exceptionally impressive.
Aman and I creased ourselves when we saw the techniques each group were using to protect their egg- one was wrapped up in tissue, then in a face cloth, then placed in a plastic contained and sealed with thick masking tape. Another had been named "Bo-bo" and was passed from each group member to another in a towel.
However, unfortunately, one egg didn't make it. It was dropped outside and I've never seen such an episode. The poor girl responsible for the egg at that given time was in fits of tears and was distraught- what a wee shame! It was only an egg- think they all got a bit attached to them.
I received a txt from Georgie, saying that she was feeling really crappy and ill and that she wanted to see us. So luckily and very randomly, it turned out that one of the teachers at the deaf camp's sister, lives right next to Georgie and teaches at her school, so she drove Georgie and Cathrine to see us. They sat in on the games that day and just rested a bit.
The afternoon activities consisted of- 1. "Tangled circle" game, which was fab to make them work as a team. 2.Plank Walking- this was so funny- it started out well, but then some groups were in such a rush to move that they all fell like dominos. 3.Magic carpet- 3 kids, standing on a large piece of paper- had to turn the paper over without standing off it. 4. Clothes race- this was hilarious. One member of the group had to be dressed by the other members in a relay race game- quite amusing to see the boys wearing maternity clothes and scarves around their heads- they were loving it though- they even gave us a cat walk at the end! 5. Spider web- Aman and I created a man made spider's web outside- where the teams had to pass each member through the web, without touching the rope. 6. Back to back water game- resulted in a great water fight. 7. Chocolate game- well of course, this was the best. Cathrine thought it would be more fun if we tied the kids hands in the game- was amusing.
The kids then took yet another shower and we had time to chill out and chat to Georgie and Cathrine. They brought us some choccie rations cause I told them I was starving living off asrama food!
That evening we had a BBQ, which the girls stayed for and the kids managed to finish off the 50 packets of marshmallows Aman's mum had sent over- crazy!
G+C then headed back to their school and Aman and I supervised the kids as they stayed up and prepared things in their groups for the closing ceremony of the camp.
Was so nice to manage to chat to the kids without there being too much of a language barrier now.
Next morning we got up oober early to take the kids up the lookout tower to watch the sun rise. Only a few came up, and those that did, soon made their way back down due to vertigo and being a bit chilly. Aman and I stayed up for a while though- could see for miles over mountains cloaked in clouds- was purdy.
We then joined the morning exercise again then had bfast. We spent the morning preparing the closing ceremony as there were men coming from the Special Education Department to watch. When they arrived, the kids gave them a warm welcome- all stood up and did "jazz hands" - deaf version of clapping. The ceremony began with a few speeches, votes of thanks, then the prizes were given out (Aman and I had allocated prizes for different categories). Then seriously unexpectedly, Aman and I were presented with prizes- Sabah gongs to hang on the wall- pretty darn cool!
Each group then gave a performance- some dramas, dance, signing to a song- twas fab.
We closed the ceremony on the "Deaf Camp Song", which the kids really love.
After the Education Dept guys left, we tidied up and got ready to leave.
Once everything was on the bus, the kids all came rushing back to thank all of the staff at the camp -especially the kitchen staff. Was so cute- the old dinner lady was crying and crying as the kids said goodbye, then the rest of the staff started- even a matcho guy that was helping out- can't believe they were that sad to see us go! But as Aman says, it's not often people get to meet such an amazing group of kids.
The camp was a complete success and the kids were all well behaved and really enjoyed themselves so Cathrine was thrilled with the result and they're hoping to have a similar thing next year.
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