My first full week of teaching is now finished. It was wonderful. I got home and felt revived and like "Yeah, I can do this. I like this." Not that the first days were bad by any means, they were just very much FIRST days ... just like at school; everyone is getting used to everyone and everything, and after a few days everyone knows what to do and what to expect. Not that we've fallen into routine by any means ... but I'm comfortable.... and excited. The fact that the kids can't understand a word that I'm saying is still hard, but also hilarious; i guess i never really thought about how that would be. I just kept thinking that what I was going to teach these kids was the same concepts that i teach in kindergarten ... and it is - the same CONCEPTS. But things like, "Let's practice" or "let me hear you say it" or "make a line" - they just stare at me. It's kind of humbling, actually. I was journaling tonight about how i started to act things out and demonstrate a lot more, rather than just talk. But even then, even with my acting, they sometimes didn't get it. So then, i guess it's comforting to think that they are atleast entertained ... even if they don't understand. With the kids it's so much fun to laugh and be silly. Today I said "repeat" (or something like that) and when no one responded, I started to laugh and said "yoooo hoooo" and put my hand on my ear and they laughed with me ... and then understood what i was asking them to do. We laugh a lot. Kids are kids ... all over the world.
m
July 10, 2009
July 7, 2009
yesterday
I got to start teaching yesterday!! Hooray! Sort of...
It felt chaotic and unorganized, but that feeling comes from me viewing the day through very American eyes. We like events to be scheduled, structured, and everyone plays their role. African culture is just different. It is not an insult or unprofessional to arrive late, or to change "plans" at the last minute, or to not have any type of plan at all. Part of me finds this incredibly refreshing ... another part of me feels crazy and unproductive.
The boys were told to arrive at 8:30 to begin intruction. At 830, breakfast was just beginning. At 9, we left for the center. Through my American eyes, i see the clock ticking away and am busy adding up the minutes that we are late. Through African eyes, we had a lovely family breakfast.
We arrived at about 915; the boys were outside playing soccer and the girls were sewing. No one was upset that we were late; instead, they all came into the room and began setting up chairs. "Thank you," I said, and they respond, "Yooo. ahr. well-comb." I love their accents! I look around the circle and see all of these bright, eager eyes ... ready for ...whatever I have. They don't care; they're just ready. We were getting ready to play a game to practice conversational language when about 10 women walked in ... ready, with pen and paper in hand, to learn english... also eager and bright eyed. And plans change. As i welcomed them and added chairs to our circle, in my mind I was scratching the montherana, counting rap, the welcome dance, alphabet alligator, and every other "kid" activity.
But we got started, 10 women and 10 children. Greetings, alphabet, counting, writing, months, good bye, and god bless. Three hours later and everyone was on their way out. Please keep Sylvain, one of the Bwiza boys, in your prayers. More on his story later.
The power will quite possibly go out at any moment. I must close for now. I pray you are able to decipher my random ramblings.
m
It felt chaotic and unorganized, but that feeling comes from me viewing the day through very American eyes. We like events to be scheduled, structured, and everyone plays their role. African culture is just different. It is not an insult or unprofessional to arrive late, or to change "plans" at the last minute, or to not have any type of plan at all. Part of me finds this incredibly refreshing ... another part of me feels crazy and unproductive.
The boys were told to arrive at 8:30 to begin intruction. At 830, breakfast was just beginning. At 9, we left for the center. Through my American eyes, i see the clock ticking away and am busy adding up the minutes that we are late. Through African eyes, we had a lovely family breakfast.
We arrived at about 915; the boys were outside playing soccer and the girls were sewing. No one was upset that we were late; instead, they all came into the room and began setting up chairs. "Thank you," I said, and they respond, "Yooo. ahr. well-comb." I love their accents! I look around the circle and see all of these bright, eager eyes ... ready for ...whatever I have. They don't care; they're just ready. We were getting ready to play a game to practice conversational language when about 10 women walked in ... ready, with pen and paper in hand, to learn english... also eager and bright eyed. And plans change. As i welcomed them and added chairs to our circle, in my mind I was scratching the montherana, counting rap, the welcome dance, alphabet alligator, and every other "kid" activity.
But we got started, 10 women and 10 children. Greetings, alphabet, counting, writing, months, good bye, and god bless. Three hours later and everyone was on their way out. Please keep Sylvain, one of the Bwiza boys, in your prayers. More on his story later.
The power will quite possibly go out at any moment. I must close for now. I pray you are able to decipher my random ramblings.
m
July 1, 2009
independence day
Okay. So today I have a computer with an English keyboard (as opposed to french and 1 key off) and my blog website is in Chinese. Well, best of luck.
It's The First of July in Burundi! Their celebration day is very similar to our Fourth of July, although a much younger country. People are relaxing today, spending time with families, taking the day off. There was a parade this morning (and into the afternoon) with all of the civil servants marching, military people, police, and many other organizations. ALSO...the Burundian drummers! I had no idea how popular these kids/young adults are. People were absolutely chaotic to try and see them. Kids were climbing trees, others were pushing to get to the front, kids were up on parents' shoulders, and the police men who had just marched had to come and push people back. Spectators were only allowed on one side of the street because the president and many other dignitaries and notable people were in luxury seated in lawn chairs and covered from the sun on the opposite side of the street. With so many people around and all crowded together, this made the perfect setting for pick-pocketers. Beware! Suzanne and Artemon took good care of us and made sure that our bags, cameras, etc. were out of reach. The drummers were fabulous.
Backtracking now .... Sunday, we were able to attend our first church service and see Artemon lead worship. We also listened to the adult choir and children's choir and saw women from Guilgal and boys from Bwiza Orphanage. After the service, this swarm of kids came up and were so excited to meet us. They each know simple greetings and how to intruduce themselves: "Ello. Myh. Nem. Ees...." and they would tell me their names. It was precious. THIS is what I needed. Children! And then all of the Bwiza boys pile into Suz and Art's pickup and we go and have lunch "as a family." The children all come over and we eat together, chat for a while, then they are free to play, rest, hang out, whatever. It truly is like a family hanging out on Sunday afternoon.
Also got to see Lake Tanganika... beautiful!!
More soon, hopefully!
m
It's The First of July in Burundi! Their celebration day is very similar to our Fourth of July, although a much younger country. People are relaxing today, spending time with families, taking the day off. There was a parade this morning (and into the afternoon) with all of the civil servants marching, military people, police, and many other organizations. ALSO...the Burundian drummers! I had no idea how popular these kids/young adults are. People were absolutely chaotic to try and see them. Kids were climbing trees, others were pushing to get to the front, kids were up on parents' shoulders, and the police men who had just marched had to come and push people back. Spectators were only allowed on one side of the street because the president and many other dignitaries and notable people were in luxury seated in lawn chairs and covered from the sun on the opposite side of the street. With so many people around and all crowded together, this made the perfect setting for pick-pocketers. Beware! Suzanne and Artemon took good care of us and made sure that our bags, cameras, etc. were out of reach. The drummers were fabulous.
Backtracking now .... Sunday, we were able to attend our first church service and see Artemon lead worship. We also listened to the adult choir and children's choir and saw women from Guilgal and boys from Bwiza Orphanage. After the service, this swarm of kids came up and were so excited to meet us. They each know simple greetings and how to intruduce themselves: "Ello. Myh. Nem. Ees...." and they would tell me their names. It was precious. THIS is what I needed. Children! And then all of the Bwiza boys pile into Suz and Art's pickup and we go and have lunch "as a family." The children all come over and we eat together, chat for a while, then they are free to play, rest, hang out, whatever. It truly is like a family hanging out on Sunday afternoon.
Also got to see Lake Tanganika... beautiful!!
More soon, hopefully!
m
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