OK - straight up and down - as much as I thought we instructors/teachers had it hard it is nothing compared to what the teachers give down here. 6 days a week, 10 hrs a day and most volunteer hoping to eventually get a paid position at some point. 36 kids in a room that is 15ft by 25ft with a blackboard and chalk. And to my surprise, it works. The kids pay attention; they learn; they don't fight. It honestly makes our kids (Cdn kids) look like a group...well, less than ideal. Even with the discipline they display they still show inquisitiveness and question things in a polite way. When I think of how Cdn kids can lament spending time in classes and how teachers complain about having too many kids in a classroom outfitted with A/V equipment it was pointing me to the place where we may be relying too much of tech for teaching and not enough on teaching skills. (pls note that I am making these thoughts within the context of the African environment) They are just so grateful for everything and by comparison us so spoiled. They had 30 kids playing soccer yesterday - all ages - no adult ref - if there was conflict it was talked out within 5 seconds - no bullying, no moping. The kids are also tougher - several 11 year olds took on full body shouts from 14 year olds and just kept playing - wow. And can they play - the footwork, the running, the good natured intensity - it was great.
I spent most of my teaching day with the grade 8's discussing the role of the United Nations - I was given about 3 minutes to prep:) - so I drew a map of the world on the chalk board and started using real life examples of Haiti, Afganistan etc to illustrate the humanitarian and peace keeping roles. The students were very inquisitive and only had remote knowledge of worldly events given that their textbooks are dated and focussed on Kenyan issues. We were told to teach for about 1/2 hr but after 70 minutes I went and asked how much longer:) I think the teachers were just happy to have us in there.
At lunch time they all washed their bowls and lined up for a scoup of beans, rice and cabbage and proceeded to sit down on the ground to eat it - for some it may have been the first meal of the day. I am not sure how they do it - focussing on their studies so well without food - it would sure take some more extreme adapting for me to be able to do it.
We are thinking of various ways to help this orphanage and school - we will be financing the purchase of a water pump before we go but also want to help with the lunch program as for about 20$ a day the 237 students can get a lunch - the wheels on how we will help continue to turn.
Was missing home so called Dawson last night for a couple of minutes and had a chat. It was a great boost. It is wonderful doing all these things however in the future I would want to be able to bring the family with - there is so much good stuff to share.
Paul and I will fly to Nairobi on Tuesday for a couple day visit and then he will head home and I off to the coast for another week of adventure.
