We started the day by visiting our neighbours at St.Ignatius High School. We made an appearance at their assembly where we spoke to the students about our trip and how different we were finding it over here in Aitape. After presenting them with a gift pack of sports equipment and stationery we were lucky enough to be presented with a school t-shirt each. The students then took us around their school and asked us about ours. St. Ignatius is one of the bigger senior schools in the area and their facilities are quite good compared to some of the smaller schools we've visited this week. The kids are so thankful and proud of their school and tell us they even have to pitch in and look after the gardens around the grounds. After our tour we had a brief visit to the Aitape medical centre. The biggest hospital in the area only has 3 doctors and limited resources. Only a few beds even had mattresses, and patients were laying on wood beds and in the heat it looked extremely uncomfortable. It gives you a real appreciation for the luxurious air conditioned beds in Townsville hospital, and yet we complain about those.
After the hospital we were able to pay a visit to Aitape high, whose principal told us how hard it was for them to access books for their library. It made me pretty annoyed to find out that it was ridiculously expensive to get simple things like books to this area, something I especially take for granted. In the afternoon we were challenged by the kids we met earlier at St. Ignatius for a soccer match for the boys and a volleyball game for the girls. After an hour or so of embarrassing ourselves we finished the day with some more delicious food made by the sisters we were staying with (the girls did anyway) and had some well deserved rest. The trip has been amazing so far and I'm looking forward to the last few days we have left.
Lauren
The boys enjoyed a delicious feast shared by Bishop Otto, Michael and his family. It was a great night!
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