How to you keep 24 young staff members motivated during the weeks of running Summer School? The school year was long enough and each person wants to find some rest or enjoyment before it all starts again. New Life School’s strategy – Friday desserts – because nothing keeps you going like sweet unhealthy nourishment.
Each staff member chips in 1500 riels per week (about 30 cents Australian) for the 7 week summer period and different groups take turns concocting delicious delights to tempt the tastebuds.
As chance would have it Eileen and I were selected to create the first week’s offerings. To my complete enjoyment it meant baking and spending the morning at a friend’s house that happens to have an oven. I made chocolate cake – in cupcake form to allow for ease of serving – with chocolate fudge icing (here I had the assistance of the school’s lovely principal) whereas Eileen busied herself in creating apple crisps. Both dishes were extremely scrummy and packed with sugary goodness.
So during yet another power outage on a hot afternoon the staff devouring our sweet treats and I believe they enjoyed them. I’m pretty sure most of us were suffering from a sugar buzz afterwards as our bodies are not familiar with consuming so much sugar in one hit, but hey it sure was worth it. And the goal of motivation is accomplished because I am so looking forward to whatever is going to be served next week.
