The first day, seeing Waramu, was baffling. From my experience of teaching in the US, and hearing the complaints from my own students and colleagues, I came to an instant realization that they have absolutely no reason to be disgruntled. There was no playground equipment, just an open feel of mud and sporadic grass patches. Classrooms and teaching supplies consisted of black boards, chalk, and a few books. I am feeling confident that my school will be humbled just as much as I was.

As the awe wore off, I was introduced to the Waramu teachers. All greeted me with warm smiles and words of thanks for the help. The students gathered outside and began singing the "Welcome" song...that will forever be imbedded in my head.

After the warm welcome, we began to roll up our sleeves and get to work. I was introduced to Godfrey and he informed us of our job for the day. The first task was to set bricks on the foundation of what was to be the new teacher's building. In order to do so, we had to mix cement. This consisted of carrying multiple buckets of sand (that were really heavy) to the site, adding cement powder, adding water, and shoveling. Lots of shoveling. After the cement combination was sufficent, we lathered up the foundation while Godfrey measured and organized the bricks. We finished the day by filling in the brick's gaps. My back ached, arms were sore, but there was a sense of gradification in an accomplished task.

Since we used all the available bricks on Monday, the rest of the week was spent on leveling ground, moving dirt, painting, getting to know the two other Madventurers, and interacting with the kids. Jess and Rosie were great, and I knew right away that I was amongst true, genuine, good people that would be my friends for life.

Just finishing my first week of volunteering, and I already feel like I am making a difference with the amount of progress we have made already.I anticipate week number to being just as wonderful.