Power off and on, often off

The power goes off a lot here so I haven't been able to email lately, I was in the middle of writing one yesterday when the power went.
Well, I had my first day of teaching on Tuesday and it was madness! I had 4 different classes, 2 year 3's, a year 2 and a year 1 with no English. The youngest and newest children just don't seem to have much English at all, so it can be tricky. Most of the children are really appreciative of being here but there's one class I had which was a real handful, as hard as any other class of privileged white children causing problems for their teacher.
It's crazy that the children have 8 different lessons a day and they all have to study for so many exams!!! Most are given 2 hours of homework each night and they don't have electricity!!! AND it usually takes most of them 1 or 2 hours to get home in the first place. What a life! So I provide 40 minutes for each child each week doing something nonacademic!
On Wednesday and Thursday we had public holidays (impromptu ones - apparently none of the public holidays are marked on any calendars and everyone seems to decide at the last minute when they'll have one!) so, I began the daunting task of clearing out the 'Artroom'. For a long time that room has been used a store-room and office to the deputies, I had to clear out truck tyres, building plaster and tiles, clothing, junk etc and EVERYTHING is covered in a very thick layer of dust.
For a school of 680 children, there's not much here to give art lessons with but hopefully I can gather up some things over time and figure out a curriculum.
I've met Gemma, the director and founder of the school and she's quite a task master, very straightforward.
I've been to town and it wasn't too scary, in fact I went to the food markets and I got quite excited, though there were lots of very poor kids begging etc, they just hang off you, literally.
So, teaching tomorrow again and I'm feeling a little more warmed up to it all, though my tummy's already suffering from something... not sure what it is but I don't think it's the food considering what I'm used to eating at home anyway.
So, things aren't so bad and I've started making friends and getting somewhere in my job.
By the way, if you want to send stuff, apparently it's best if it's less than 2 kilos and you write that the items are used textbooks or clothing or school supplies so they don't get ripped off at the post office and then I have to pay a bribe and taxes to get them out!
That's it for now in case the power goes off again, it's started clicking!
love Emily