Early Birds
We arrived early to set up the toys, snacks and craft materials we'd brought with us to the community library in a village not too far from the capital. We were amazed to see one mum with 3 children already waiting an hour and half before we were due to start! Word had spread that there was a new fun time for Mums and Toddlers, although the local ladies had no idea what a "playgroup" would actually be like.
We set up the toys that we'd managed to collect and buy cheaply second hand in the main room. There was a small library room with children's books which we put tables with playdough and colouring. Then another room we used for the craft.
Copycats
Funky Fish
Why should the kids have all the fun?
We arrived early to set up the toys, snacks and craft materials we'd brought with us to the community library in a village not too far from the capital. We were amazed to see one mum with 3 children already waiting an hour and half before we were due to start! Word had spread that there was a new fun time for Mums and Toddlers, although the local ladies had no idea what a "playgroup" would actually be like.
We set up the toys that we'd managed to collect and buy cheaply second hand in the main room. There was a small library room with children's books which we put tables with playdough and colouring. Then another room we used for the craft.
Another surprise
occurred when a bus full of children arrived from a local school. It
had been explained that the Playgroup was for mums with toddlers, but
the school teachers had thought it would be a trip out for the
children. We were so grateful for our local friend, who had invited
us to do the Playgroup in her village, as she very diplomatically
handled the situation in a culturally appropriate way. We were sad
that the children could not join us but there would not have been
space or appropriate supervision for them.
Copycats
By the time we
started at 10:30am there were 32 mums and nearly 40 children! Our
local friend introduced us and then I gave an introduction in Arabic
to explain what would be happening in the morning. We started with a
welcome song and other songs in Arabic and then songs in English
(such as head, shoulders, knees and toes!). The children loved
copying the actions and joining in.
Funky Fish
Then we divided into
groups and took 8 children at a time, with their mums, into the craft
room to stick coloured paper to make a fish. Some children looked
like they'd never seen glue before! They were all pleased with their
finished fish. Meanwhile other children played with the toys and
playdough and colouring.
We told the mums to
help themselves to tea and coffee and snacks. Since they rarely get
tasty treats like this, everyone was piling their plate high with
cookies and cakes. Also some were popping snacks into their handbags
to take home to share with family. We hadn't expected this and what
we thought was plenty of food, was soon all gone! We enjoyed having
some time to talk with the mums but most of the morning we were busy
organising things.
Why should the kids have all the fun?
The mums also
surprised us by asking for a competition! Again our local friends
helped us in dividing the mums into teams and thinking up a quick
competition – writing down as many fruits beginning with the letter
… (in Arabic of course!). It was surprising how competitive the
women were!
We finished by going
outside and the children catching bubbles from a bubble machine.
Everyone said how much they enjoyed the time and what fun they had!
After clearing up,
we were invited by the village sheikh’s wife to visit their house
for a cup of tea. The ground floor of the large house was a big space
with lots of seating for holding village meetings and ceremonies
whilst the upstairs was the family home. Even upstairs, the lounge
was large and we relaxed and chatted drinking mint tea and eating
home-made date biscuits. Arab hospitality is renowned and we were
invited to stay for lunch but sadly had to decline since I had to get
back home to look after Kira and Isaiah after school.
