Jane's Week.
Some of you have been asking what my week is like. Well, we are getting into a routine. Jim takes the children to school at 8am most days. It takes about 20 minutes to walk there. On Mondays however I take the children and stay in school to fulfill our 4 hour weekly commitment which every family with children at Hope Academy volunteers. As a teacher they are using me in that capacity and I am helping to streamline and create an English Curriculum for the primary end of the school from the many that have been used and left behind. I am really enjoying it- it's right up my street!
On Monday, Wednesday and Thursday lunchtimes I have Russian lessons and also try to do homework in 20 minute blocks throughout the day on each weekday. Somedays are more dedicated than others! On Friday mornings I go to the Oasis office for the weekly team meeting and love being there and getting to know the team better.
Much of the rest of the week is taken up with food shopping; trips along the road to a fruit and veg stall. Trips to various kiosque, markets or supermarkets to get provisions. It is a much bigger part of life here, a bit like going back to our Mum's in the 70's and how they had to do it. Actually I love the interactions and the practice it gives me for using Russian as well as trying new local foods for the first time. It also means I get to know the city and find my way around using various modes of transport. People are generally very friendly and helpful and it is not at all a threatening place to walk around in.
I collect the children at 3.45pm and am enjoying getting to know other parents as well as staff there. Then we are into homework, supper and so on. One thing I really like about the walk to and from school is the view of the mountains at one or two points along the way.
Once a month I go to the meeting of the International Women's Club at a smart hotel; great bunch. Yesterday we heard about the food security situation here from someone at the World Food Programme.
That's the general gist! Hope that gives you some idea.