Hi Kids,
So, it has been quite a while since you have heard from me. I am very sorry for that, but I do have some good news...I am back in Denver! We made the long journey back from Zambia by plane and we are home in Denver. I am happy to be home because I missed my friends and family and my 3 legged dog Milo, but I do miss Zambia. When I left Zambia, it was early summer there, so it was getting very hot and even the rainy season was starting. That means that we would have rain storms every couple days, but by now they are having heavy rain every day.
Since I have been back, I have been able to see what all of you have been working on. It sounds like you all have been very busy!! T Good Shepherd students, Mr. Asher showed me all of your projects on the computer. I was amazed!!! I couldn't believe everything that you had done, I was so excited. Mr. Asher and I discussed putting some of the pictures of zebras, frogs and masks on this web site so that everyone could see them.
So it seems you have been enjoying the stories and the pictures that I have been sending you. I know we have the holidays coming up but not to worry, I think we should continue with our learning about Africa. What do you think? Ok, well here is another story.
One night, my husband and I were sound asleep in our tent when we all of the sudden heard hyenas calling. Now, their call is very cool. It sounds like this (woooooo-oop! Woooooooo-oop!) Hyenas live in groups or packs so when they are calling for each other like that, it usually means they have gotten separated for some reason but are now trying to find each other in the dark. I immediately woke up when I heard their calls, but sure enough, their calls got louder and louder, closer and closer. Then I realized that there was a hyena right outside my door!!!! I wasn't scared, I was actually quite excited because I couldn't believe a hyena was so close. Then I heard a noise that sounded like a horse galloping and realized it was a second hyena. Then all of the sudden there was a loud splash of water! It occurred to me that these hyenas were running into the river and playing and splashing around, just like kids! I think they were young hyenas and were just having some fun. I heard them leave and they continued on their way down the river.
You know, we hear animals make noises every single night, but you know what else we sometimes hear? Drums. Yes, you see African people who live in villages far away from the city, often use drums to talk to other villages. They don't have telephones or computers, they don't even have cars. It is too dangerous for them to walk to other villages at night to tell someone news, so they use drums. Other villages will know exactly what certain songs on the drums mean. A song might mean a baby has been born, or it might mean that rain is coming, or it may mean that a pride of lion are in the area and everyone must be careful. I love going to sleep at night listening to the drums. It lets me know that somewhere very close, there is very important news.
Your assignment this time is to draw a picture of a drum. A drum is a very important part of African life and the people put a lot of decoration and thought into building their drum. In Africa, drums are built out of wood and animal skin. Those are the materials most available to the Africa people. So what would your drum look like? How big would it be? Would you use your hand to play it or a stick? This is your assignment, I can't wait to see how they turn out! Miss Molly
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OUR NAME?
Africa A to Z is a distance learning program that is working with elementary schools in the Denver metro area to introduce students to the continent of Africa, especially the country of Zambia. Classes will receive weekly letters from me, directly from the African bush. These letters will encompass details about life in Africa such as food, traveling, cultures, languages, wildlife and just normal day to day life in Africa. |
