Feb 4.   It was an emotional afternoon at Tembea, which included small presentations by individual girls about how their tribes in their villages constructed the huts which they all grew up in.  The girls come from six or seven different tribes.  They each sang a representative tribal song.  Then we all gathered in the open grassy area where everyone participated in dances and song, including the teachers and us! Lots of laughs and great entertainment. The schedule for the girls the rest of the night was dinner, study, then retire to their residence for the evening – a pup tent.  In back of the school house.   For us, it was a trip twenty minutes back to Insigna to the BEADS house, where Debby has lived for a few years while growing and administering the program.  There, there is sometimes good cell service and sometimes internet capability.    No electricity though!  We will spend two nights.  Dinner is peanut butter and jelly and boxed red wine by lantern and headlight.  PBJ is also my breakfast and lunch the next day. To bed early by headlight under a mosquito net that is a bit too small for our double bed. Add mosquito repellant. Glad I’m not in a pup tent though!

Tembea Academy Anthem (to the tune of Finlandia)

Let’s walk together towards a life of purpose-  our sponsors help will make our dreams come true.

  We stand upon our families firm foundations.  Great education lets us start anew.

Teambea, you have kindled all our yearnings.

Tembea’s path leads us to dreams come true.

What is my part in this, my great endeavor?  To do my best in all that I can do.

I  willl remember Tembea’s ideals that help to shape my character so true.

No one but me can chart the course I follow.

The door is open-   Now I must walk through!