October 23, 2008
I’ve been in the village for 5 weeks. This is waaaaaaay too long. I just need to decompress with someone who can understand me. I just need a change of scenery. Lord help me. I am hanging by a thread once again…but I’m hanging tough.
October 27, 2008
Right now BriAnne is in the transport waiting to go back to the village. She’s been sitting in it for 3 hours while they weld some parts together. It’s after 7pm. She won’t get home until at least midnight. She could come back over here to the house but it’s like you’re already in there and don’t want to get out and go through the entire getting in there process again. That’s why transport can be such an ordeal.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Nick's Dream
October 19, 2008
Nick: So I had a dream where you and I teamed up to fight the drug trade of Detroit. Think Boondock Saints. Your favorite was the riot shotgun, you wielded it like a pro.
Me: Nice! Now if only Nam was that easy.
Nick: Yeah, if only…
Nick: So I had a dream where you and I teamed up to fight the drug trade of Detroit. Think Boondock Saints. Your favorite was the riot shotgun, you wielded it like a pro.
Me: Nice! Now if only Nam was that easy.
Nick: Yeah, if only…
Childcare At Its Best
October 16, 2008
I’m in class with grade 6 as they are doing some work on their own (we hope). The silence is broken by a child’s cry from next door. The teacher probably has a stick and smacked the 4th grader on the hand with it for being naughty.
“Is that what you want me to do to you?” Choruses of yes called out.
“Are you sure? Remember the time I sent you to the principal for not doing your homework? You weren’t very happy after that.” After taking a census of grade 6 only 1 child wants to get whacked but she seemed to feel silly when she saw that she was the only one raising her hand.
Then another cry came from next door- dag, it hasn’t even been 10 minutes. At this point the bell rang (it’s rung by hand) and it was time to rotate classes. As I’m standing in the doorway and the students are moving across the yard there’s still wailing coming from grade 4 and the kids are craning their necks to see. I pop into the principal’s office and quickly tell him what’s going on. He says he’ll bring it up with the teacher later. I replied, “Sure just hope the kid doesn’t get beaten to death before that. This is illegal in this country.” Then I went back to the learners lined up in front of my room. As they were filing in I saw the grade 4 teacher walking across the yard to the principal’s office.
October 17, 2008
I kept a kid after school today. He may have missed lunch at the hostel because of it. I really wasn’t sure what to do about that so when I got home I asked my host mom what she would do.
“Oh I never do that because I just don’t like it.”
Yes, making him go hungry was not the intention. Now that it has possibly happened, what do you think I should do?
“Well I think we’re going to look at crime and punishment at Monday’s staff meeting.”
Okay, but what about right now?
She started telling about some other incident and punishments that had nothing to do with what I’d asked. As I walked away I thought, wait a minute, last year this time when I was visiting for the 1st time I saw you lock a kid in your classroom either at tea break or lunch break.
It’s a banner week for childcare here at O%&^*@.
I’m in class with grade 6 as they are doing some work on their own (we hope). The silence is broken by a child’s cry from next door. The teacher probably has a stick and smacked the 4th grader on the hand with it for being naughty.
“Is that what you want me to do to you?” Choruses of yes called out.
“Are you sure? Remember the time I sent you to the principal for not doing your homework? You weren’t very happy after that.” After taking a census of grade 6 only 1 child wants to get whacked but she seemed to feel silly when she saw that she was the only one raising her hand.
Then another cry came from next door- dag, it hasn’t even been 10 minutes. At this point the bell rang (it’s rung by hand) and it was time to rotate classes. As I’m standing in the doorway and the students are moving across the yard there’s still wailing coming from grade 4 and the kids are craning their necks to see. I pop into the principal’s office and quickly tell him what’s going on. He says he’ll bring it up with the teacher later. I replied, “Sure just hope the kid doesn’t get beaten to death before that. This is illegal in this country.” Then I went back to the learners lined up in front of my room. As they were filing in I saw the grade 4 teacher walking across the yard to the principal’s office.
October 17, 2008
I kept a kid after school today. He may have missed lunch at the hostel because of it. I really wasn’t sure what to do about that so when I got home I asked my host mom what she would do.
“Oh I never do that because I just don’t like it.”
Yes, making him go hungry was not the intention. Now that it has possibly happened, what do you think I should do?
“Well I think we’re going to look at crime and punishment at Monday’s staff meeting.”
Okay, but what about right now?
She started telling about some other incident and punishments that had nothing to do with what I’d asked. As I walked away I thought, wait a minute, last year this time when I was visiting for the 1st time I saw you lock a kid in your classroom either at tea break or lunch break.
It’s a banner week for childcare here at O%&^*@.
Lunch Is Served
October 15, 2008
I was standing in my classroom waiting for grade 6 to solve a math problem. I looked out the window and saw a man carrying a huge leg of cow across the way and to my way. Yuck. It was naked cow too, not covered in any way. When I went home it was laying in the mouth of the deep freezer waiting to be hacked up. I decided to snap a picture of this interesting sight.
Later in the day my host mom asked me why I took a pic and why I didn’t ask her before taking it. I explained that you just don’t see sights like that in big cities. Then wondered should I have asked you first? Yes, because it is my food that I will eat and you are complaining about it.
(Actually I didn’t complain about it. I thought it was funny. My complaint is the stomach churning smell of the meat being boiled and the blood curdling into a dark sauce. And if I ever used that nasty dish rag for anything my complaint would be that is was used to wipe down the freezer where the carcass had been, then replaced on the sink for further use.)
I was standing in my classroom waiting for grade 6 to solve a math problem. I looked out the window and saw a man carrying a huge leg of cow across the way and to my way. Yuck. It was naked cow too, not covered in any way. When I went home it was laying in the mouth of the deep freezer waiting to be hacked up. I decided to snap a picture of this interesting sight.
Later in the day my host mom asked me why I took a pic and why I didn’t ask her before taking it. I explained that you just don’t see sights like that in big cities. Then wondered should I have asked you first? Yes, because it is my food that I will eat and you are complaining about it.
(Actually I didn’t complain about it. I thought it was funny. My complaint is the stomach churning smell of the meat being boiled and the blood curdling into a dark sauce. And if I ever used that nasty dish rag for anything my complaint would be that is was used to wipe down the freezer where the carcass had been, then replaced on the sink for further use.)
Doesn't It All Go Down The Same Way?
October 14, 2008
One thing I appreciated about a developing country was that people seem to use what they have. Things are multi-purpose and we don’t really buy things that only accomplish one task. We drink tea every day but don’t have a kettle. You just boil water in a small pot.
We only have a shower stall so we boil our bath water and pour it into a plastic tub. The same tub is used to mop the floor and hold water for any other cleaning (car, windows, etc). That one disturbed me at first but I just closed my eyes and reminded myself that the water is boiling and I can clean it out first.
There are other multi-uses that I think are a bit gross. Like using the same dish rag to dry the dishes, wipe the counter clean, and wipe spills off the floor. There’s also the 25 liter jug that used to hold cooking oil but now holds drinking water.
So I thought a sink was a sink- a place where one could wash their hands and other things. But I just brushed my teeth over an empty kitchen sink and my host mom freaked out. “Did you just spit in the sink??” Yes. “We use that for dishes, don’t do that.” The sink is empty, it’s all going down the drain, we put those dishes in our mouths, and someone is in the bathroom.
She was just so disturbed. This from a woman who washes clothes, her body, and her teeth in the bathroom sink. And I know it’s soap but I think it’s gross that they use the same soap in the shower to wash their bodies and them put it on the sink to wash their hands. Can soap carry infections?
One thing I appreciated about a developing country was that people seem to use what they have. Things are multi-purpose and we don’t really buy things that only accomplish one task. We drink tea every day but don’t have a kettle. You just boil water in a small pot.
We only have a shower stall so we boil our bath water and pour it into a plastic tub. The same tub is used to mop the floor and hold water for any other cleaning (car, windows, etc). That one disturbed me at first but I just closed my eyes and reminded myself that the water is boiling and I can clean it out first.
There are other multi-uses that I think are a bit gross. Like using the same dish rag to dry the dishes, wipe the counter clean, and wipe spills off the floor. There’s also the 25 liter jug that used to hold cooking oil but now holds drinking water.
So I thought a sink was a sink- a place where one could wash their hands and other things. But I just brushed my teeth over an empty kitchen sink and my host mom freaked out. “Did you just spit in the sink??” Yes. “We use that for dishes, don’t do that.” The sink is empty, it’s all going down the drain, we put those dishes in our mouths, and someone is in the bathroom.
She was just so disturbed. This from a woman who washes clothes, her body, and her teeth in the bathroom sink. And I know it’s soap but I think it’s gross that they use the same soap in the shower to wash their bodies and them put it on the sink to wash their hands. Can soap carry infections?
Integrating?
September 28, 2008
Me: I could be at home awaiting the birth of my niece, helping my sis and best bud plan their weddings and not wonder if I’ll be able to attend. Instead I’m here with kids who didn’t do their homework and who still haven’t memorized their times tables. Why am I here again?
G: Catherine…I just got the top half of your message. Am I getting ready to be incredibly sad because you’re going home? I didn’t get all of it, sorry.
(resend 1st sms)
G: I just did this thing with times tables. I made them memorize 2 sets a week and they built a paper banana split and each time they get the entire set correct they can add another piece to their split. It’s worked pretty well. Just a thought.
But yes, some days are really bad, some days good. Would it help if you left site more? I need to just get outta dodge at least twice a month, and I’m okay with it. Doing a school play right now which has been super fun.
Me: Times tables sounds interesting…they can make clock and every time they get a set correct they’ll more it forward five minutes. At the end whatever time they have on their clock can be used to play games. They love Connect Four and I may even pull out Operation.
Thanks G…you’ve got some good stuff yourself.
G: Hope it works. Good call with the clocks. Whoa, nice. I should let mine have game time. When do you all play?
Me: They choose a day after school and it’s an hour. Last time it was for those who got the highest class mark and exam mark and most improved class mark. They loved it. I want to reward them for academics. No more rewards for behavior, they’re supposed to be good anyway.
G: Ok, so it’s only a couple of kids at game time then? That sounds good. I am OVER my discipline problems right now. Need a 4 day weekend.
Me: Yes, 4 days should be the rule! Secondary project- lobby Parliament.
G: Word to that. I think PC should also hire a kid actor and he can pose as ‘the new kid’ at each school for a week, and we can fake whoop him so the other learners know that it’s a possibility .
Me: LOL! 2 boys (used to be 3) in grade 6 talk too much. At wits’ end this week I made them hold the chair over their heads for 10 minutes- added 5 more to one because he said something. We’ll see how next week is.
G: Ohh, maybe their arms will be sore and remind them to shut the ef up. I am totally ok with that. It is the only thing that works sometimes. Oh man, I sound Namibian.
Me: Hey, integration. Isn’t that like goal #3? We did it!
G: Ha. Yay! Now only a few more things to go…
Me: I could be at home awaiting the birth of my niece, helping my sis and best bud plan their weddings and not wonder if I’ll be able to attend. Instead I’m here with kids who didn’t do their homework and who still haven’t memorized their times tables. Why am I here again?
G: Catherine…I just got the top half of your message. Am I getting ready to be incredibly sad because you’re going home? I didn’t get all of it, sorry.
(resend 1st sms)
G: I just did this thing with times tables. I made them memorize 2 sets a week and they built a paper banana split and each time they get the entire set correct they can add another piece to their split. It’s worked pretty well. Just a thought.
But yes, some days are really bad, some days good. Would it help if you left site more? I need to just get outta dodge at least twice a month, and I’m okay with it. Doing a school play right now which has been super fun.
Me: Times tables sounds interesting…they can make clock and every time they get a set correct they’ll more it forward five minutes. At the end whatever time they have on their clock can be used to play games. They love Connect Four and I may even pull out Operation.
Thanks G…you’ve got some good stuff yourself.
G: Hope it works. Good call with the clocks. Whoa, nice. I should let mine have game time. When do you all play?
Me: They choose a day after school and it’s an hour. Last time it was for those who got the highest class mark and exam mark and most improved class mark. They loved it. I want to reward them for academics. No more rewards for behavior, they’re supposed to be good anyway.
G: Ok, so it’s only a couple of kids at game time then? That sounds good. I am OVER my discipline problems right now. Need a 4 day weekend.
Me: Yes, 4 days should be the rule! Secondary project- lobby Parliament.
G: Word to that. I think PC should also hire a kid actor and he can pose as ‘the new kid’ at each school for a week, and we can fake whoop him so the other learners know that it’s a possibility .
Me: LOL! 2 boys (used to be 3) in grade 6 talk too much. At wits’ end this week I made them hold the chair over their heads for 10 minutes- added 5 more to one because he said something. We’ll see how next week is.
G: Ohh, maybe their arms will be sore and remind them to shut the ef up. I am totally ok with that. It is the only thing that works sometimes. Oh man, I sound Namibian.
Me: Hey, integration. Isn’t that like goal #3? We did it!
G: Ha. Yay! Now only a few more things to go…
Dunno What To Say
September 27, 2008
My host family is at a funeral for their uncle today. This is about the 5th family funeral they’ve had since I came here in January, not to mention the other numerous funerals they’ve attended of other loved ones and acquaintances. I don’t even know what to say anymore when they tell me of a family member who has passed. “I’m sorry” seems so inadequate and it does not express the depth of what I feel at another absent loved one.
Funerals here are no small affair. They last from morning until night with mourners gathered at the family homestead. Women are dressed in their finest traditional clothes and sing a welcome to all who arrive. Some will go into the mourning house w/the casket and weep. People congregate outside under the trees- men with men and women with women. That is also where they will eat the meat and porridge that is served. It will be late when they finally begin to travel home.
Death is such a part of life that it is difficult to be surprised when someone says they are going to a funeral. Even now, I don’t know what to say.
My host family is at a funeral for their uncle today. This is about the 5th family funeral they’ve had since I came here in January, not to mention the other numerous funerals they’ve attended of other loved ones and acquaintances. I don’t even know what to say anymore when they tell me of a family member who has passed. “I’m sorry” seems so inadequate and it does not express the depth of what I feel at another absent loved one.
Funerals here are no small affair. They last from morning until night with mourners gathered at the family homestead. Women are dressed in their finest traditional clothes and sing a welcome to all who arrive. Some will go into the mourning house w/the casket and weep. People congregate outside under the trees- men with men and women with women. That is also where they will eat the meat and porridge that is served. It will be late when they finally begin to travel home.
Death is such a part of life that it is difficult to be surprised when someone says they are going to a funeral. Even now, I don’t know what to say.
Counting On My Fingers
September 23, 2008
The national exam for the 7th graders is coming up, it’s worth 50% of their final grade and the principal told me that if their scores don’t meet the projected targets there may be something wrong going on in my class. But wait, all the burden cannot fall on me. There were many teachers for many years before me who may have “covered” the syllabus but did not stop to consider whether or not the learners had absorbed it. Now you want to pin all of your hopes on me because I’m supposed to be the American miracle worker? I’m doing my best but this world still does not make sense to me. The things that have gotten through to them are odd little phrases that pop up in essays or words that have been memorized and astound me when coming out of their mouths.
Still in this 3rd term I thought they’d have learned more. I’m giving my life here so I’m trying to make it count. I’ve been measuring success in grades because that seems to be what everyone else is counting. Though the way things are moving, that isn’t going to be enough. I also have to count that my host mom now eats more vegetables and loves spinach. I have to count that instead of saying “give me”, children have begun to ask “may I”. As they say, sometimes it’s just our being here that helps.
The national exam for the 7th graders is coming up, it’s worth 50% of their final grade and the principal told me that if their scores don’t meet the projected targets there may be something wrong going on in my class. But wait, all the burden cannot fall on me. There were many teachers for many years before me who may have “covered” the syllabus but did not stop to consider whether or not the learners had absorbed it. Now you want to pin all of your hopes on me because I’m supposed to be the American miracle worker? I’m doing my best but this world still does not make sense to me. The things that have gotten through to them are odd little phrases that pop up in essays or words that have been memorized and astound me when coming out of their mouths.
Still in this 3rd term I thought they’d have learned more. I’m giving my life here so I’m trying to make it count. I’ve been measuring success in grades because that seems to be what everyone else is counting. Though the way things are moving, that isn’t going to be enough. I also have to count that my host mom now eats more vegetables and loves spinach. I have to count that instead of saying “give me”, children have begun to ask “may I”. As they say, sometimes it’s just our being here that helps.
It's Cuz I'm Here
September 15, 2008
There are little tan flecks of something floating in my drinking water. Is it dirty? Not in Africa.
There are little tan flecks of something floating in my drinking water. Is it dirty? Not in Africa.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
