Sunday Morning in Ranau

Not such a catchy title however this is where I have spent the long weekend. I had plans to go with Sister Caroline into the deep jungle to visit some of her Sisters who run a mission centre and preschool but unfortunately they decided to come back to civilisation for the long weekend so that has been  postponed for now. The celebration of Eid- al - Adha seems much more low key here than in other countries but on Friday there were certainly lots of men in their satin pyjamas and the building site next door to my house has been very quiet as most have returned to their villages for the weekend. Yesterday I did my usual Saturday tour of the market, bought my vegetables,had a rummage through the  "bundles" part, finishing with a roti cennai and mango juice. I bought a bright green skirt for 20 cents and made a Very Hungry Caterpillar for the wall of a newly painted and revamped school library that will be opened on the 7th November in another mentor's area. The British Council launched the pilot scheme of the Power of Reading a couple of months ago. There were about 30 schools chosen in Sabah and they have been given between 350 - 1000 books depending on their size. It is hoped that by testing the pupils' reading levels before and after the book flood that there will be an improvement and that the government may be persuaded to invest and introduce more books nationally in the future. Even though none of my schools were chosen I am determined that next year I will introduce lots more interesting and fun picture books into each of my schools and make reading a pleasure for the younger pupils. Thank you to those already who have contributed -  Ian and Clare arrived with a suitcase of wonderful books - all from the charity shop. I will be in England in December and if anyone would like to contribute even 1 or 2 second hand books I would be SO grateful. Any other ideas for books?( I can give you an address to send to)

Parents clearing some land in school to plant vegetables

No chairs left!

 This week was actually Reading Week or day? throughout Malaysia and on Wednesday we had a time where every school, child, teacher, staff had 30 minutes of silent reading. I'm not quite sure how effective the national conformity approach is to encourage reading but then again why not? So enough of my ramblings and on with some studying which I keep putting off.