Hi everyone,
Christina, Pn. Harrison and I saw Encik Asram on 18th January. Our mission was to give him the L1 and L2, as earlier requested, and also to obtain the letter of approval and materials promised to be given to us for the camp. We decided to see him as early as 8.00 in the morning. Sure enough, Encik Asram was there. We voiced our needs and Encik Asram gave supportive consent.
THere is a problem though. We requested to get the materials and letter of approval from him as soon as posible. As the camp is scheduled to be held on the 2nd and 3rd of February, arrangements and preparations would have to be carried out very soon. However, Encik Asram explained that there was no way we could get the materials any earlier than the 28th of February. He mentioned something about the time needed for the process of removing stock from the store, and also that he would be away during the nearest weekend, which left him no choice, but to delay our request.
When the subject of the letter of approval came up, he asked us to collect it along with the materials on 28th January. We walked out of the office with a heavy heart that morning. I SMSed Farhana as soon as I got home, reporting the latest news I had in hand, but our discussion ended in vain.
I called the school earlier in the week to seek final confirmation of the consent we were promised when we first visited the school. They voiced their enthusiasm about the camp, but also confessed that they may have problems arranging for the provision of food during the camp. We were told that the school's funds were running low as they had been facing flood problems in school and had spent a great deal of money in repair and renovation. That was why they could not give us a certain approval at the time of the meeting. To make matters worse, the headmistress was away on sick leave, so the P.K. Hem had to ointeract with her via phone to get opinions and decisions.
The second time I called the school was a week after our visit there (the first time i called was to make an appontment to see the PK Hem). THe PK Hem gave the similar answer- that they were keen but could not give a certain answer yet. I was told to call back the following day, and so i did. This third call was productive. I got the green light from her (which brought a big smile to many faces). THus i attempted to make another appointment for us to see her and discuss unsettled issues such as; a) whether the school teachers would be participating in the camp, b) whether we would have 'foster parents' if we were not able to stay in the school, c) whether the hall could accomodate the games and plans we had for the camp, ETC. She requested for us to call them back anytime next week whenever we were ready to see them. We would have to show them the letter of approval from the university this time. (BIG TROUBLE because we will not get it till the 28th)
Hence, the problem persists. No letter, no bus, No materials, no teaching aids. We would have less than a week to make preparations for the camp if we were to proceed with the current circumstances. Discussions have been made with the president and she said she would tell me the situation after a discussion with Mr. G.
Thats all for now folks. Take care and good luck.