Sports Day in the primary school at the end of the third term

Sports Day in the primary school at the end of the third term

We volunteers were asked if we would help out at Sports day. We agreed, of course, and attended a meeting the day before with our “sport Michael”, the organizer. He explained everything to us. We couldn’t really imagine how things would work, but in Africa everything is possible. And that is how is was on the following day.

We met in the morning and went to the playing fields. The field had 4 circular tracks. The main sport of the day was running races: 100 metres, 200 metres etc…
All the children marched to the field. They had been practising this for weeks and it looked very military to us Europeans, but they had everything well under control. Except for the little ones, who did not find it so exciting and simply trotted along behind J

We volunteers had the task of receiving the children as they passed the finishing line. This does not sound very difficult, but it was quite complicated. The 100 meters and 200 metres somehow became the same distance. Our position was sometimes here and sometimes there – the finishing line was mostly “there at the end of the field”… J

The primary school pupils had to run a long distance, sometimes one circuit, sometimes two. There were races for boys and girls.
The nursery school children were tested more on their skills and had to fulfil various tasks. At one time they had to empty bottles, and another time fish passion fruit out of water with their mouths. Another time they had to fill bottles with water – which had to be transported by mouth! Some of the parents were also there. They enjoyed themselves and joined in the children’s excitement.

The teachers, who were allotted to the groups joy, love, hope and faith, also gave the children much encouragement through dancing and cheering. The festivities were even supported by a brass band.

After the races the children then marched around the field again. This looked very good and everyone was very enthusiastic.
After the children’s races had finished it was the turn of the parents and teachers. They were also allowed to demonstrate their skills. There was a 100 metre race which was great fun. First the ladies raced. Not all of them made it to the finishing line. Two fell over on the way and the others made it to the finish with some effort – it’s not so easy to race in skirts! It was really cool when Maria suddenly took off her shoes and joined in the race!

David Krähemann, Volontär

Photo gallery of thesports day