Volunteer teaching

May 23, 2012

I had my best day yet! Started off w/Breakfast which is a little different everyday-French toast today. Pam updated us on the timetable. Then Ann, Emily, and I were off for our daily jaunt with Samuel to the school. Now, we often see some of the same people as we meander through the so called path. Baby dogs and cats, goats always and some of the same people cooking breakfast. Along the way, a young student came up and said "Are you Roger?" . I said "yes," and then he proceed to tell me he meet me Saturday near the main road. I was amazed and didn't tell him I didn't remember, but that I would look for him at school. His name was Emanuel.

At the school, I immediately went to the 7th grade class because I didn't see Mr. Daniel. Some students were carrying chairs to another location. I asked why and they said mit was because they were going to have worship. I then followed them to another room, where both the 7th and the 8th graders were in one room. After a bit, some drums began beating, and students began singing and dancing. Some had such joy on their faces, pure ecstasy. Others danced in a line, their gyrations would put Elvis Presley to shame. Others reaching to the sky with their hands. It was probably similar to a Pentecostal revival service. I was very touched and moved by their total freedom to express themselves. Later they had sermon from one of the teachers at the school. This worship was for the whole school, so 4 other rooms were all doing the same.

Daniel, the teacher, had found me early in the worship, expressing concern for me. He is such a great guy. I feel so lucky to have worked with him. After the service, I sat with him, just talking about school things. Then at 10 AM, we went to math class. On the short walk, he told me I should teach the class. I mildly chastised him for giving me such short notice but I had prepared some material last night just in case. The first problem I gave the class was given a lukewarm response but the second problem was met with much more enthusiasm. By the third problem, they were in full participation mode. These were kind of trick problems, that made them think out side the box. I left them without telling them any answers, telling them they would have to wait for the next day.

The second group, social studies, was covering rights and duties of citizens. Daniel and I co-taught that class. He would write on the board and explain what it meant and I would give some specific examples and ask them questions about the meaning. It worked out great. I noticed that Daniel was moving away from the front of the room while speaking now too, which I think is important. Tomorrow, we may get an opportunity to take the whole class to the Health Clinic for Blood pressure checks.

In the afternoon, all the volunteers went back to the Library for a individual reading sessions with students. I have been helping a 10 year old boy named Fredrick. He is really a good reader and seems very intelligent. Today, he immediately found the book that he was reading the day before and the page. Generally, there are maybe two others that join us.

From the library, we took a van to the Bead Factory. It was about a 30 minute drive and on the way, we went through another town that seem to have a lot of shops. At one point, we turned onto a nondescript road. When we pass the pig sleeping in the road, I knew we were there.

The bead factory was like an oasis in the desert. Very calm and serene, an orchard of mango and date palm trees, grass in front of the very nice abodes. Mark spent lots of time with us, explaining all the details of making different beads. It was very informative. Later, we all went to the store to buy some jewelry. Some took longer than others deciding what to get while I waited outside talking to Mark and Samuel again. Nicholas drove us back to the guesthouse.

Dinner again at 7 pm. Now we found out no school on Friday, but I think we have adjusted to the place and flexibility is our inbred in our nature. After dinner, I went to my room, quite tired yet it was only 8 pm. Good night.


Thought for the Day : There but for the grace of God go I..
When it is time to leave this place, this job, this world, you make sure you have worked hard to make sure it mattered that you were ever here.



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