A special 'thank you' from Mrs Pinney

To the wonderful Good Shepherd community,

Hello from Amanbidji! The items that I sent in my shipping container finally arrived which means I finally had the stationary items you so generously donated to give to the kids! I told the kids about the donations as soon as I arrived thinking that my shipping container items wouldn’t be too far behind. Unfortunately, the wet season meant that the road out of my community was VERY messy so a whole term and a bit later it finally came (we only drove out once to stock up on food the whole of first term but we survived!)! The kids were so excited though and at least once a week I would get asked “are our pencil cases here yet!?”- whoops, probably shouldn’t have mentioned it so early!! They are so excited to have their very own pencil cases. Before I had handed them out one of my beautiful kids, Sam, kept excitedly saying to me “when will we get our suitcases!?”. I had no idea what he was talking about until he went and got a pencil case and said “this!!!”. Silly me, of course that’s what he meant!

I’m having an incredible time up here, lots of highs and some lows but it’s been such an amazing experience, one that I’m incredibly grateful for. The kids are all so happy and smiley and the community has been very welcoming. It is SO different around here to back home. I’ve had to get used to finding green frogs jumping around my house, not being able to swim in the beautiful water holes around where I live in case of crocodiles, having wild horses and cows keeping me company on my walks (I think the grass in my front and back yard must be extra delicious too because I keep finding bulls eating it when I wake up in the morning!), having dogs (and some puppies!!!) hanging around during the school day and having the kids pop over to say hello (and eat all my sweet treats) on the weekends!

Thank you again for your generous donations, it means so much to the kids to have their very own pencil cases! I look forward to seeing you all next year!!

Mrs Pinney

Good Shepherd Teacher