When I write these monthly updates, I always need to check the calendar to find out who was here during the last month. So much happens at the project it becomes a blur and remembering who was here helps me remember what has happened. It also shows how much volunteers shape the project and the experiences we all have.

August was a quiet month in regards to the number of volunteers we had. After the manic months of June and July it was interesting to return to a period where the house was a little quieter. As I had 2 carpenters volunteering at the project, I took the opportunity to make bedside cabinets for the house, and to make some improvements to the house. I'm preparing to return back to England, so the improvements are coming to an end, although the house is a really nice place to be now.

August also saw the arrival of Anna Mazur, our new assistant coordinator and Lukas Meus, our new project manager. It makes a huge difference to me and to the project to have a couple of new people at the house, and I think that there help will be of huge benefit over the coming months.

At the schools, the summer activities carried on in much the same vein as they had done in July. With fewer people everybody had to have a greater involvement in the activities, which I think gives everybody a better experience. We carried on with the weekly themes, which have worked really well and will be something we will continue next summer. Towards the end of the month somebody finally arrived with a new mp3 player, and at last we could listen to something a bit different from my limited collection of music!

Speaking of music Julian (our car) has decided that he only wants to listed to Aerosmith's greatest hits. He refuses to play any other CD until he has at least listened to half of the album. I think I know the first 5 tracks word for word now. The animals are all fine too, Biscuit (the cat) is getting a bit bigger, and Lucy (the dog) is much calmer now, but Jim (the other dog) has become a bit more playful too. We have been busy developing Jim Bingo, where volunteers have to spot the many different faces of Jim to win a (non-existent) prize.

One more week of summer school in July and then back to normal lessons!

More updates soon!