Today was my last working day as a volunteer at Escuela Katitawa, as I had decided to move on and continue my journey on Sunday. Like every Friday, there were no classes so both the kids and the volunteers could take it easy. This gave me an opportunity to click some last day snaps, and generally walk about trying to remember how much we had accomplished in so short a time.

Anna & Googie walking to the school

The kids play on their "bus"

Megan & Kevin walk back from the farm

Believe me, just sitting around throwing stones into a wheelbarrow can be a lot of fun!!

Chinchana, Jessica & Bruna reinvent the phone

Eddie teaches Cristiano to play the guitar

Today was Matt’s last working day at the school as well, but unlike me, he was also leaving Salasaca today itself. He was catching an early bus headed to Quito, so he was given his wooden medallion of appreciation during the Friday morning presentation; after which we said our goodbyes and wished him luck for his onward journey.

Matt, Lija, Kevin & Wamari

Saying goodbye to Matt (while Cristiano just cannot get enough of the guitar)

Friday was also the day of dance practice for the kids. I had always wanted to join the dancing, but I was really scared of Fabiola, the strict dance teacher. But the other volunteers pleaded with her on my behalf, and she reluctantly agreed. As soon as I had my chance, I jumped in with full fervour. A recurring feature of the Salasacan dancing style was a full 360 degrees turn by all the males immediately followed by a full 360 degrees turn by all the females. Since I was not completely familiar with the dance, I was too slow in my steps and was turning later than I was supposed to; that is after the males had finished their turn and the females were just beginning theirs. After a few instances of my glaring gaffe, one of the kids couldn’t take it anymore and loudly shouted, “Googie, no es mujer!!”, meaning “Googie, you’re not a woman!!” :)

Googie trains for Bollywood

With the adorable nursery kids

The pond that we created

Another view

Here is what the pond looked like just a few weeks ago.

Wherever he is, I'm sure Lachlan is proud of his farm

Why Lachlan’s farm?

At lunch time, I got my wooden medallion of appreciation as well along with a farewell speech from Rupinho (of which I understood not a single word, but nodded solemnly every time he looked towards me as if I knew every word by heart). It was rather difficult to finally have to say goodbye to the kids, the ducks and the chicken with all of whom I had developed such a close friendship.