Bradley's First Field Trip

Monday was Bradley's first field trip and we went to Cheshire Homes. This is a local rehabilitation clinic for children. The children stay at the clinic during the week and return to their parents on the weekends. The home is run by Catholic nuns and also 4 teachers and 2 physical therapists are on staff. There are several Cheshire Homes all over the world and it is funded by an organization out of the UK. It is very clean and very well run. We saw about 20 children. The majority of children were born with some bone abnormalities that had been operated on and they are completing treatment at the home. One boy was autistic and kept reaching out to touch the children- he was 9 years old but the size of a 5 year old boy. One boy was in a wheelchair with no legs at all. There were 2 classes from our school both Year 5, about 47 kids. They sang a song for the childen and the children from Cheshire sang a song back- It was sweet to see their smiling faces. They liked having visitors!!

I was waiting around the school Monday until it was time for the field trip hoping to catch a glimpse of Chelsea at snack time and enjoying a Coke Light from The Tuck Shop(school snack bar). The Headmaster approached to ask how I was doing, how the school year was going, who I was looking for- basically, what was I doing??- I told him that I was going on the Year 5 field trip. He said, "You have way too much time on your hands". Obviously things are different here than in the States. I was the one and only parent on that field trip.

Okay...I have a funny story that may be just for mommies...I'm going to use hypotheticals...

One day Mr. Derrik went to work. He was sitting in his office when his administrative assistant, Forgetful, came in and asked if the company would be giving her Mother's Day off. Well, as Mr. Derrik thought about this and the holidays that were already offered, he advised that Mother's Day was celebrated on Sundays therefore not a work day after all. Forgetful then taught Mr. Derrik that women have Mother's Day once a month and it is usually the 2nd day of a cycle.

Mr. Derrik went home and discussed with his wife who advised she would gladly go to the Chemist(pharmacy) and send in medicine to help Forgetful with Mother's Day pains as to not interfere with work. Please keep in mind that Mr. Derrik's company already offers 20 vacation days to all employees per Zambian law:) Happy Mother's Day!!!