Both kindergarten classes had been learning about life cycles, so we wanted to give the children a good experience to enhance this. We chose Sabahar, where moths are bred for their silk, and planned a half day trip. My teaching friends may like to spot how many UK health and safety regulations we would have contravened!

A simple cut and paste form was required prior to the visit to obtain the parent’s consent along with a covering letter. Any parent was welcome to accompany us. On the day of the trip three more children than expected arrived. No problem, a willing parent could take both them and my teaching assistant in his minibus. The school bus had fold down seats that filled the aisle these could be used in addition to the conventional seats and lap belts were fitted. No wet weather provision was required. It would be blue sky and sunshine-guaranteed.

When we arrived at our venue the children sat on a mat and listened to an introductory talk. Did you know it takes 400 silk moth cocoons to make one scarf? They could then eat their snack. Peanut butter is an American staple food and there were peanut butter biscuits, peanut butter in a chocolate coating and many more relished variations.

Our group was divided into two. We went first to see how the cloth colours were created. Two open half full buckets of dye were on the ground and we were shown the raw materials for making the dye. Our guide brought out dried insects used for one colour and demonstrated how she could bite them in two and make her lip and tongue black this stimulated interest amongst the boys in particular. The children were then given small pieces of cloth to dye themselves in the buckets. They enjoyed this but there were more than a few stray splashes on clothing. We also had to stand aside while ladies carrying steaming kettles of water for the workers passed by, as the path where we had gathered was a bit of a thoroughfare.

Next the children had their moth encounter. “Who would like to handle a caterpillar or moth?” This offer generated many eager responses.

We then went to see the weavers. Ethiopian men and women sitting at wheels. Some of the women were ex-patients from the fistula hospital. Smiling, they sat the children on their laps as each was offered an opportunity to use the wheel. Then off to another large shed where full scale weaving looms were being operated. The children were encouraged to get as close as they wanted to and some were given a turn.

At the end of the morning parents accompanying us gave various children lifts home. We kept a tick list for our own reference and returned to school with the remaining group. We have had nothing but positive responses from parents and children alike and encouragement to repeat this learning experience in the future.

Surprising things happen here, a young owl was sitting outside our front door as I left for my classroom at 7.30a.m. It was taken in by another teacher as the hawks that circle overhead were showing a propensity to attack the defenceless creature. Nature in the raw yes, but possibly not an ideal start to the day for young children soon to arrive for morning school.