This picture was taken in late October before much grass had satarted to grow.
This is the same view (with one green water tank added) but taken after the holiday break.
The kids have created their own path to the water tanks.
When I first arrived in the village last September, winter was just ending and everything was brown. No grass to speak of. After a couple of months, warmer temperatures, and a little rain, grass (or some seriously green weeds) started growing. Women working in the school yard were quick to dig up anything and everything green soon after it appeared (see Day #30 — De-grassing).
When we returned from the long holiday school break in December and early January, it was evident that no one was doing much yard maintenance. The main courtyard was cleared, but the grass was waist high in the surrounding yards, so much so that smaller children could almost totally disappear.
The hard-working yard workers have created a nice wide path (for which I am grateful) from the school buildings to the outdoor toilets. They are slowly tackling the other areas.
The school administration has asked for assistance from the municipality to have the surrounding yards and fields cleared, but to no avail. This past week I learned that the learners will not be able to participate in a local sports jamboree because they have not practiced any group sports. And why not? Because they did not have a cleated field upon which to play and practice. It is most unfortunate that the learners missed this fun and enriching opportunity.
