Seems to have been another good day: we are still not used to the smell of the open sewers outside the centre where we are working, and the rotting vegetable matter that accompanies it. Unfortunately these smells are mixed with the constant smell of cooking, which in another location would be fantastic, but here can sometimes prove to be slightly off-putting whe you come to eat food that smells similar to what is cooked near the sewers. Also providing some local colour is the traditional toilet in the centre (ie where you squat) which has no running water, except that which you provide yourself (if you get my meaning.) The heat and dehydration thankfully keeps the need for using it to a minimum...
Today we looked at transportation and where we come from, and for their craft time we set the children a construction task: they had to build a bridge that would span a 60cm gap and support a 500g weight, using only chopsticks, rubber bands and sticky tape (Blue Peter fans will note the reference). The oldest group did so well, they progressed to a 1m gap, and progressively increased the weight until three of the pairs were able to support a metal stool with theirs. It was great to see them working together, as this is one of the desires of the centre's workers. We easily forget that under China's "policy of birth planning" - the one-child rule - these young people are in many cases unused to playing or working together. Some of the youngest have not been to nursery school, and their leisure hours are spent playing alone or reading. It has been such a surprise to see a considerable number opting to read rather than play enjoyable team games. Hopefully their ability to collaborate will be helped by this time together, and the centre's ongoing work.
Helena has has some medication to soften things up in her ear ready for some excavations on Friday, but trooper that she is, she soldiers on.
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