Many of the children spoke no English. Schools are open sheds with a blackboard, and even that costs a fee. The headmaster tries to give the children the most basic knowledge and some handcraft skills. Many of the parents are illiterate. For those orphans living with grandparents it is a real luxury to attend school.
Adults feel the children are needed to help grow the food rather than go to school.
Word usually traveled fast about my presence and a large group of people would gather at one homestead to welcome me. Poor as they are, the people brought all sorts of food gifts as well as baskets, mats, ropes and various things they had made of banana fiber for their pen-pals in America. Impromptu parties happened. The children sang and danced for me accompanied by a parent drumming on a plastic water jug. The Christmas party had been an all-day celebration.