I have been communicating with my cousin Renee Bromer’s 4th grade teacher in Naperville, IL. Ms. Veach sent me this adorable list of questions from her class. I have also included my responses.
Nick wants to know: Do you eat pancakes in SouthAfrica? (Not normally, but you can find crepes here, which are called pancakes. And how do you say "Hello"? Thobela! (Toe-bell-ah)
Maegan wants to know: Do you celebrate birthdays? How do you celebrate? What kinds of birthday traditions do you have? (We do celebrate birthdays by having cake, but they are never celebrated at school and some people don’t know when their real birthday is, so they just celebrate around the time of their birthdays.)
Nick asks: What kind of wildlife do you have that you see on a regular basis? We see bunnies and robins and ducks, what kinds of things do you see? (We see goats, donkeys, cows, sheep, chickens, dogs, cats, snakes, rats, many types of birds and insects. Sometimes we see monkeys by the river! )
Nora has 2 questions: What kind of sports do you do? What do you eat for breakfast and dinner, normally? (Girls play netball which is somewhat similar to basketball but played on dirt usually. Boys play soccer. Normally people eat bread and butter or pap and chicken for most meals. Pap is a white thick corn-based food that really fills you up and people eat it for most meals.)
Nick would like to know how long your school days are. Our school day goes from 9:05 to 3:35. (Here school is from 7-3.)
Joey asks: Do you have the book, "Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss? And have you read it? (Hehe, I love that book! No, we don't have that book here sadly.)
Renee asks: Do you have fast food places like McDonald's in your country? (We do have McDonald's here, but KFC is much more popular! Plus we have fast food places called: Chicken Licken and Something Fishy. Most people in my village do not leave so they can't eat there often.)
Tommy wants to know: Do your houses have basements? And do you have a lot of food to eat? (No houses here have basements. -What an interesting question!- People do not have very much food to eat here, just enough to get by. )
Aarij wants to know: How do you keep people safe from the pit latrine (they had a lot of questions about this)? (Haha! It's a regular toliet you sit on, but instead of flushing it when you're done everything just falls into a big pit. When children are being potty trained they just go outside on the ground until they are big enough for the toliet.)
Leen asks: If you do have McDonald's or fast food, do they serve the same foods that they serve here? (They serve many similar foods at fast food restaurants, people love to eat french fries, but here they are called chips and chips are called snacks.)
Wyli wants to know if your homes are far apart or close together? Can you walk to each other's houses easily? (Because of the history of apartheid in this country, prior to 1994 people of each different color had to live in their own areas. (blacks, colored (mixed race), indian, and white) So now this is slowly changing in urban areas but in the rural areas, where I live, only black people live here. The homes are close together because the apartheid government made black people live in one small area. We can easily walk to each others homes.)
Jacob wants to know if you go on field trips. (Once a year my school tries to organize a field trip to the city. )
Kayla asks: Is there such a thing as a white giraffe? (We read a book about one in class together) (Hehe, not that I know of. . but it’s very likely. . there are white lions!)
Lucas wants to know: Do you have any pets at home? What kinds of animals? (Some people have dogs or cats but people here do not treat animals like we do in the states. Animals usually just eat scraps or hunt for food. They are very skinny and have many diseases. Kids throw sticks at dogs or sometimes beat them. I recently was given a kitten and have been treating it really well to show others what a great friend a pet can be if you love them. )
Brendan wants to know if you know the Double Cheeseburger song from McDonald's. (Nope. Is this a popular song now?)
Robby asks: Has a villager ever been eaten by a lion? Has a stampede of elephants ever come through the village? (Haha, not here! But I know that one friend of mine had to take a car to school because lions roamed near her home. Sometimes a hippo or crocodile will be found in the river. In the past few months 3 dogs and 1 child were killed by a green mamba.)
Dorinda wants to know if anyone has ever seen or touched a white giraffe. (Not in my village!)
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Longtom
tThe nine month mark of living in South Africa will be here in a week. . .
So on the 28th of March I participated in the Longtom Marathon! Walking 21,1km is by far the longest officially measured distance I have travelled by foot thus far in my life. I had intended on running at least a few kilometers. But so early in the morning, with thousands of bodies side by side, I decided I was going to enjoy the view and participate in “21km talk” as Leah called it. With 3 other volunteers I kept a brisk pace along the route that was a constant series of hills through the mountains. For the most part we were heading downhill, you may think this is easier- talk to my shins and see what they have to say. Throughout the 3hours and 45minutes we were met by truly African buffet stops. In the states races have stops with water, maybe Gatorade, oranges, bananas. . not in South Africa. Here we were handed packets of water, which I found to be much more efficient- as much water isn’t wasted spilling over the top of the cup. But beyond bananas and oranges there were people holding plates of gummy bears, chocolates, hard candy, and my favorite- Coke!
I must thank all the people who were able to generously donate to the KLM foundation in my name! I raised just over 400 dollars, which will go a long way here for the learner who is chosen to attend Uplands College. Considering the state of the economy it’s amazing that as a group of about 60 volunteers were able to raise a considerable amount of money. . nearly 15,000 I think?
Two volunteers chose to train their bodies and ran the entire 56km ultra marathon that spanned the entirety of the Longtom Pass, from Sabie to Lydenburg. Both finished under 7 hours! Plus, many of volunteers chose to run the 21 km, so congratulations to all of them.
Now is the autumn/Easter school break and in a few days I’m going to be heading down the coast, taking in the garden route, wine country, and ultimately the Cape Town experience. I will be returning on South African election day. . so let’s all hope that the I’m not met by chaos.
Also, I have thought long and hard about my choice to teach. I created a list of why I should continue and why I should not continue to be an educator here. Why I should: I committed myself, the teachers may not respect me if I stop teaching, I may burden the teacher who will take over. Why I should not: it’s stressful and emotionally draining, I was never a teacher in the states and will not be a teacher upon returning home, I feel like I’m not teaching the learners enough, I could be using my time better if I could focus on one project instead of having teaching hanging over my head. So I talked with my principal and he agreed that next quarter I should not teach. For me and hopefully for my community this will be the best choice.
Yesterday I went to town and received quotes on the pricing of various materials (sewing machines, beads, fabrics) for the Wonderboom Women’s Club. Today I am beginning to write a VAST grant proposal that I must submit by May 1st. The VAST (Volunteer Activity Support and Training) Program gives up to $5,000 for small scale HIV/AIDS projects though PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for HIV/AIDS Relief) grants. If I am able to receive this money then it is our hope to get the program started by June. I will certainly give updates about the details of the club as I develop them.
On another exciting note a nearby PCV from SA16, Nathan has generously supported my community. His community, Ga-Matabata, has a drop-in center that was funded by the Netherlands Nelson Mandela Foundation. The Foundation wanted to give his community a high-tech water filtration system, the Perfector-E. He insisted his community did not need such a product but after hearing about the water issues in my community (Remember: people fetch water from the river) he was able to convince the foundation to give the product to my community! So yesterday I went to town and picked up a water testing kit, tomorrow I will collect samples and bring them in. Once I find out the electricity connection costs and determine a way to build a secure shed we should receive the Water Purification System!! The women in the Netherlands are hoping to have the project completed by 10 May, so fingers crossed all will go as planned.
I will post photos from the Longtom and Cape Town when I return!
So on the 28th of March I participated in the Longtom Marathon! Walking 21,1km is by far the longest officially measured distance I have travelled by foot thus far in my life. I had intended on running at least a few kilometers. But so early in the morning, with thousands of bodies side by side, I decided I was going to enjoy the view and participate in “21km talk” as Leah called it. With 3 other volunteers I kept a brisk pace along the route that was a constant series of hills through the mountains. For the most part we were heading downhill, you may think this is easier- talk to my shins and see what they have to say. Throughout the 3hours and 45minutes we were met by truly African buffet stops. In the states races have stops with water, maybe Gatorade, oranges, bananas. . not in South Africa. Here we were handed packets of water, which I found to be much more efficient- as much water isn’t wasted spilling over the top of the cup. But beyond bananas and oranges there were people holding plates of gummy bears, chocolates, hard candy, and my favorite- Coke!
I must thank all the people who were able to generously donate to the KLM foundation in my name! I raised just over 400 dollars, which will go a long way here for the learner who is chosen to attend Uplands College. Considering the state of the economy it’s amazing that as a group of about 60 volunteers were able to raise a considerable amount of money. . nearly 15,000 I think?
Two volunteers chose to train their bodies and ran the entire 56km ultra marathon that spanned the entirety of the Longtom Pass, from Sabie to Lydenburg. Both finished under 7 hours! Plus, many of volunteers chose to run the 21 km, so congratulations to all of them.
Now is the autumn/Easter school break and in a few days I’m going to be heading down the coast, taking in the garden route, wine country, and ultimately the Cape Town experience. I will be returning on South African election day. . so let’s all hope that the I’m not met by chaos.
Also, I have thought long and hard about my choice to teach. I created a list of why I should continue and why I should not continue to be an educator here. Why I should: I committed myself, the teachers may not respect me if I stop teaching, I may burden the teacher who will take over. Why I should not: it’s stressful and emotionally draining, I was never a teacher in the states and will not be a teacher upon returning home, I feel like I’m not teaching the learners enough, I could be using my time better if I could focus on one project instead of having teaching hanging over my head. So I talked with my principal and he agreed that next quarter I should not teach. For me and hopefully for my community this will be the best choice.
Yesterday I went to town and received quotes on the pricing of various materials (sewing machines, beads, fabrics) for the Wonderboom Women’s Club. Today I am beginning to write a VAST grant proposal that I must submit by May 1st. The VAST (Volunteer Activity Support and Training) Program gives up to $5,000 for small scale HIV/AIDS projects though PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for HIV/AIDS Relief) grants. If I am able to receive this money then it is our hope to get the program started by June. I will certainly give updates about the details of the club as I develop them.
On another exciting note a nearby PCV from SA16, Nathan has generously supported my community. His community, Ga-Matabata, has a drop-in center that was funded by the Netherlands Nelson Mandela Foundation. The Foundation wanted to give his community a high-tech water filtration system, the Perfector-E. He insisted his community did not need such a product but after hearing about the water issues in my community (Remember: people fetch water from the river) he was able to convince the foundation to give the product to my community! So yesterday I went to town and picked up a water testing kit, tomorrow I will collect samples and bring them in. Once I find out the electricity connection costs and determine a way to build a secure shed we should receive the Water Purification System!! The women in the Netherlands are hoping to have the project completed by 10 May, so fingers crossed all will go as planned.
I will post photos from the Longtom and Cape Town when I return!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Teaching, Ancestors, Tsotsi
Much has happened. I’ll begin with my teaching experiences. So it’s been approximately 10 weeks since I started teaching grade four natural science. It turns out that the “fourth grade slump” is a term that is not exclusively American. The transition from the core 3 subjects (literacy, numeracy, and life skills) to an extensive plethora of learning areas is stressful and difficult for learners.
So I elected to teach this year because I thought I could bring the learner-centered approach that South Africa is stressing in OBE (Outcomes Based Education). I enter the classroom with my positive attitude and perfectly crafted 5E science lesson plans (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate). Only to be met by chaos . . . you see in an attempt to be self-sustainable our school has the teachers responsible for the possession and distribution of materials (pencils, sharpeners, rubbers, pens, rulers). Since I do not have my own classroom each time I enter a room I have to take 5-10 minutes for learners to distribute materials. This seems like a situation where the Classroom Coach (a book that gives the steps required to have effective classroom routines) would work. Well in my classroom it’s never that easy. There are learners talking and pushing each other from chairs because there aren’t enough chairs for 40 learners.
Once the materials are ready for use I struggle with classroom management. With so many kids I can’t keep an eye on them all. Some incidents that have occurred include: breaking a chair, tying a learners shoes to a chair, sleeping, making cats noises. . . EISH! I want to pull my hair out most days. I always say that the learners don’t respect me because they know that I won’t beat them like the other teachers. Last week I had a PC friend, Haley, come and observe me. Her feedback was so meaningful. She brought to my attention that yes, the other teachers beat, but at least they have a discipline plan. I, on the other hand, randomly try different techniques. So far: placing a learner outside the room (which is illegal I found out), making the learner sit in the front, having them stay after class, etc. My plan is that next quarter I will implement a discipline plan with the support of the headmaster. It will include consistent punishment and praise and hopefully lessen the stress I experience in the classroom. Currently this stress makes me want to pull my hair, scream, cry, and generally quit teaching. It’s been very emotionally burdening.
* * * * * * * *
Next topic: Ancestors.
Last week all of SA18 travelled to Blyde River Canyon for our LST (life skills training. . PC likes acronyms). Each of us brought a counterpart from the community or school so we could learn the steps required to begin a secondary project and how to write grants. Secondary projects vary but include: girls/boys clubs, gardens, small business development, computer classes, library projects, etc. I chose to bring Reneilwe Maputha. She is a primary teacher at Mannyetha Primary, also a head of department, mother of 2, Eco-Schools Coordinator, and generally optimistic woman who I enjoy spending time with.
If you remember I wrote about her earlier: see blog “Traditional Medicine.” Based on this cleansing month that she had in December she is still left with a few final ceremonies to free herself of the ancestral curse. Seeing as we were at a beautiful resort with views of the 3 rondevals there was much nature to entice her spirit. One day after our sessions she asked me to join her and Jerrina (PC Kelly’s counterpart) on a walk to the waterfall where she needed to collect holy water. So we walk behind the conference center, over a small bridge, and see a mini waterfall on the other side of a fence. She has her 2 liter bottle ready for collection but clearly she and J were going to have difficulty hoping the fence.
So I offer. She gives me a look. “What?” I say. She says, “Well last night you and Andrew (my partner for 6 months). . .” I say “We what?” She says “You know, did the naughty thing.” Me: “We what?” Her: “You know the silly silly.” Me: “You mean we had sex, so you don’t want me to touch your holy water because you think I sinned?!” Her: “No.” Me: “You think I sinned. . . “
Wow. That was a judgment; one which left me speechless. So I said fine, ok. They weren’t going to be able to hop that fence so I took them around the waterfall and over a different bridge. They didn’t think the stairs were going to go anywhere. I decided to climb solo and wave my scarf when I reached the top. Pleased with my confidence and persistence they followed up and in their dresses climbed over massive mossy and slippery boulders all the way to the waterfall.
Once there Rene took off her shoes and began filling the water bottle in the trickle of the waterfall. She was shocked at the lack of water since after breakfast it was apparently gushing. (I found that hard to believe since there hasn’t been any rain. . ) In any case after five minutes she decided to stand on a boulder while filling up. To cap off the holy water ceremony she stood in the waterfall: completely clothed in the icy waterfall. It was a beautiful sight! You must check out the photos on Picasa.
Later I asked if there are any other ceremonies she must complete. She needs to slaughter a cow by herself and then take the hide to the “East” where she will dig up her ancestor’s bones, talk to them, and then rebury them wrapped in the hide.
Why the water? To drink when she is ill. Now the cruel corker for this story . . . the waterfall was gushing earlier because it is man made . . . of all the natural waterfalls surrounding the facility she chose an artificial one.
* * * * * * * *
Final Topic: Tsotsis
I returned home from LST on Monday afternoon. Upon arriving at Mannyetha the following morning I was told I couldn’t enter in my usual gate. Apparently the school had been robbed Monday night.
The story is as follows: apparently there was a car driving around the village beginning at about 11pm. Come 1 or 2am they cut a hole in the outer fence, then the inner fence. From this point they crept around the school block and used a lock cutter to break in the thick metal security fence. From here they lured, or somehow trapped the night watchman. They bound his arms and legs to a chair and for the next hour or so they vandalized the school. The 2 computer labs were broken into (the burglar doors locks cut and the wooden door locks broken too) and only the nice HP hard drives were stolen. From there they broke into the administrative block where they stole the TV, VCR, 9 computer projectors (valued at R90,000), 12 classroom heaters, all the teaspoons and knives?, the kettle?, and the new flat screen computer/hard drive. They also broke the jojo (massive water tower) for no good reason. By the time the old security man freed himself and ran screaming through the village the men had long left.
The criminals certainly knew where to find the goods. They did not break into the most logical room, the headmasters. Instead they only entered the assistant headmaster’s room where the items were located. Also they didn’t take any of the cords for the projectors or computers. Clearly they have no idea how to use such things. . . they will likely be traded for a single case of beer.
So on Tuesday the police came and took fingerprints and photos of muddy footprints (caused by the jojo spilling). The headmaster called a community meeting. This is how it was learned the people had been around since earlier in the night. Other than that there wasn’t/hasn’t been any new information learned. But upon the end of the school day I returned home and heard a loud ringing. It turns out that Wonderboom has an informal messaging system! Someone rings a large old metal circle by the water pump and people gather! Apparently there was a concern that maybe these people just stashed/disposed of the items in the bush?!! (come on, they go through all this work to leave the items?!) In any case the community felt like they should do their part, which I commend. So hundreds of people made their way out into the bush and travelled from the small mountain to the large one and back to the main road. After 2 hours of walking. . no luck. But I did notice people came back with heads full of sticks for fires. Plus along the entire route people held branches of trees that are full of semi-sweet berries. So it was highly enjoyable for me, even if it turned out to be. . fruitless. HA
I’m saddened by this theft. Unfortunately thieves rob schools everyday. They take computers usually the day they are delivered. One time the thieves broke in a night too early. It seems like it’s always inside jobs. Last night my friend Kelly’s school was broke into and her computers stolen. There isn’t a push to catch these tsotsis. So they continue stealing expensive products that they likely do not know how to operate and then trade them for measly beer. Plus the cops are corrupt here too. . How to we change this cycle? How can we improve the education system when every new tool is promptly stolen? How do we not get frustrated?
So I elected to teach this year because I thought I could bring the learner-centered approach that South Africa is stressing in OBE (Outcomes Based Education). I enter the classroom with my positive attitude and perfectly crafted 5E science lesson plans (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate). Only to be met by chaos . . . you see in an attempt to be self-sustainable our school has the teachers responsible for the possession and distribution of materials (pencils, sharpeners, rubbers, pens, rulers). Since I do not have my own classroom each time I enter a room I have to take 5-10 minutes for learners to distribute materials. This seems like a situation where the Classroom Coach (a book that gives the steps required to have effective classroom routines) would work. Well in my classroom it’s never that easy. There are learners talking and pushing each other from chairs because there aren’t enough chairs for 40 learners.
Once the materials are ready for use I struggle with classroom management. With so many kids I can’t keep an eye on them all. Some incidents that have occurred include: breaking a chair, tying a learners shoes to a chair, sleeping, making cats noises. . . EISH! I want to pull my hair out most days. I always say that the learners don’t respect me because they know that I won’t beat them like the other teachers. Last week I had a PC friend, Haley, come and observe me. Her feedback was so meaningful. She brought to my attention that yes, the other teachers beat, but at least they have a discipline plan. I, on the other hand, randomly try different techniques. So far: placing a learner outside the room (which is illegal I found out), making the learner sit in the front, having them stay after class, etc. My plan is that next quarter I will implement a discipline plan with the support of the headmaster. It will include consistent punishment and praise and hopefully lessen the stress I experience in the classroom. Currently this stress makes me want to pull my hair, scream, cry, and generally quit teaching. It’s been very emotionally burdening.
* * * * * * * *
Next topic: Ancestors.
Last week all of SA18 travelled to Blyde River Canyon for our LST (life skills training. . PC likes acronyms). Each of us brought a counterpart from the community or school so we could learn the steps required to begin a secondary project and how to write grants. Secondary projects vary but include: girls/boys clubs, gardens, small business development, computer classes, library projects, etc. I chose to bring Reneilwe Maputha. She is a primary teacher at Mannyetha Primary, also a head of department, mother of 2, Eco-Schools Coordinator, and generally optimistic woman who I enjoy spending time with.
If you remember I wrote about her earlier: see blog “Traditional Medicine.” Based on this cleansing month that she had in December she is still left with a few final ceremonies to free herself of the ancestral curse. Seeing as we were at a beautiful resort with views of the 3 rondevals there was much nature to entice her spirit. One day after our sessions she asked me to join her and Jerrina (PC Kelly’s counterpart) on a walk to the waterfall where she needed to collect holy water. So we walk behind the conference center, over a small bridge, and see a mini waterfall on the other side of a fence. She has her 2 liter bottle ready for collection but clearly she and J were going to have difficulty hoping the fence.
So I offer. She gives me a look. “What?” I say. She says, “Well last night you and Andrew (my partner for 6 months). . .” I say “We what?” She says “You know, did the naughty thing.” Me: “We what?” Her: “You know the silly silly.” Me: “You mean we had sex, so you don’t want me to touch your holy water because you think I sinned?!” Her: “No.” Me: “You think I sinned. . . “
Wow. That was a judgment; one which left me speechless. So I said fine, ok. They weren’t going to be able to hop that fence so I took them around the waterfall and over a different bridge. They didn’t think the stairs were going to go anywhere. I decided to climb solo and wave my scarf when I reached the top. Pleased with my confidence and persistence they followed up and in their dresses climbed over massive mossy and slippery boulders all the way to the waterfall.
Once there Rene took off her shoes and began filling the water bottle in the trickle of the waterfall. She was shocked at the lack of water since after breakfast it was apparently gushing. (I found that hard to believe since there hasn’t been any rain. . ) In any case after five minutes she decided to stand on a boulder while filling up. To cap off the holy water ceremony she stood in the waterfall: completely clothed in the icy waterfall. It was a beautiful sight! You must check out the photos on Picasa.
Later I asked if there are any other ceremonies she must complete. She needs to slaughter a cow by herself and then take the hide to the “East” where she will dig up her ancestor’s bones, talk to them, and then rebury them wrapped in the hide.
Why the water? To drink when she is ill. Now the cruel corker for this story . . . the waterfall was gushing earlier because it is man made . . . of all the natural waterfalls surrounding the facility she chose an artificial one.
* * * * * * * *
Final Topic: Tsotsis
I returned home from LST on Monday afternoon. Upon arriving at Mannyetha the following morning I was told I couldn’t enter in my usual gate. Apparently the school had been robbed Monday night.
The story is as follows: apparently there was a car driving around the village beginning at about 11pm. Come 1 or 2am they cut a hole in the outer fence, then the inner fence. From this point they crept around the school block and used a lock cutter to break in the thick metal security fence. From here they lured, or somehow trapped the night watchman. They bound his arms and legs to a chair and for the next hour or so they vandalized the school. The 2 computer labs were broken into (the burglar doors locks cut and the wooden door locks broken too) and only the nice HP hard drives were stolen. From there they broke into the administrative block where they stole the TV, VCR, 9 computer projectors (valued at R90,000), 12 classroom heaters, all the teaspoons and knives?, the kettle?, and the new flat screen computer/hard drive. They also broke the jojo (massive water tower) for no good reason. By the time the old security man freed himself and ran screaming through the village the men had long left.
The criminals certainly knew where to find the goods. They did not break into the most logical room, the headmasters. Instead they only entered the assistant headmaster’s room where the items were located. Also they didn’t take any of the cords for the projectors or computers. Clearly they have no idea how to use such things. . . they will likely be traded for a single case of beer.
So on Tuesday the police came and took fingerprints and photos of muddy footprints (caused by the jojo spilling). The headmaster called a community meeting. This is how it was learned the people had been around since earlier in the night. Other than that there wasn’t/hasn’t been any new information learned. But upon the end of the school day I returned home and heard a loud ringing. It turns out that Wonderboom has an informal messaging system! Someone rings a large old metal circle by the water pump and people gather! Apparently there was a concern that maybe these people just stashed/disposed of the items in the bush?!! (come on, they go through all this work to leave the items?!) In any case the community felt like they should do their part, which I commend. So hundreds of people made their way out into the bush and travelled from the small mountain to the large one and back to the main road. After 2 hours of walking. . no luck. But I did notice people came back with heads full of sticks for fires. Plus along the entire route people held branches of trees that are full of semi-sweet berries. So it was highly enjoyable for me, even if it turned out to be. . fruitless. HA
I’m saddened by this theft. Unfortunately thieves rob schools everyday. They take computers usually the day they are delivered. One time the thieves broke in a night too early. It seems like it’s always inside jobs. Last night my friend Kelly’s school was broke into and her computers stolen. There isn’t a push to catch these tsotsis. So they continue stealing expensive products that they likely do not know how to operate and then trade them for measly beer. Plus the cops are corrupt here too. . How to we change this cycle? How can we improve the education system when every new tool is promptly stolen? How do we not get frustrated?
Thursday, February 12, 2009
IST, life, and packages!
A couple of weeks ago I attended IST (In-Service Training) at Marapyane College; this is where our initial training took place from July to September last year. It was strange to revisit the place that held the initial emotions, memories, and impressions of this country. Not to mention the college looked like a jungle. When last there is was winter; summer has turned the brick walkways into fields of reeds. It looked ridiculously abandoned, which in a way it is. In short, the week was informative about HIV/AIDS, or as they like to say “healthy living” because HIV/AIDS is a phrase that makes people turn their listening ears off. We also met our new country director (who was a CD in Lesotho, and Ghana previously), had a session on mental health (which I loved and needed), a session on trees and gardens, and a few sessions run by PCV’s on successful programs they have created. The week also allowed catching up with the 33 volunteers who remain from the 44 that flew into Jo’burg in July. Each night was a drinking adventure- there was a bonfire, séance (well mostly a nice session of sharing while sitting cross-legged in candlelight), beer pong tournament, and a showing of The Dark Knight on a projector.
I have continued with my teaching of Natural Science and each day I enjoy it a bit more. The learners have begun to understand my expectation that they answer questions when called on and that they mustn’t fear me. Since critical thinking is severally lacking learners are not usd to coming up with their own ideas. They expect each question to have one correct (memorized) answer. Which reminds me that yesterday Karabo came into my room looked at my computer and in unison with her friend said a school-given definition of what a computer is and does. I have also begun working with Reneilwe, a foundation phase teacher, on the Eco-School Student Council. This is a group of 12 learners in grades 4-7 who will be the leaders in the coming year regarding the environmental initiatives and projects that the school takes on. We began today by addressing the issue of rubbish (and nutrition in a round about way). You see kids here eat cheese snaks/ zimbas (essentially cheetos in a variety of colors and flavors) for breakfast, snack, and dinner. When finished the wrappers are tossed onto the ground. They’re cheap and they’re sold on school grounds. So the ESSC made a box and collected all the wrappers of zimbas/snaks during their short break. They plan on using these wrappers as a shocking visual for an upcoming program and then using them in a to-be-determined art project. Please let me know if you have ideas. I say multiple times a day “The world is not your rubbish bin” and then insist the children pick up their garbage.
This past Friday my principal asked if I wanted to go to a workshop in Jo’burg. In a morning haze I agreed. Only after agreeing did he tell me he would pick me up from my home at 4:30am the next morning. So with the sun still sleeping I arrived at his home. 14 educators, 1 principal, and one sleepy volunteer climbed into a coombi at 5am. I took one for the team and sat in the far back seat, right hand side. Anyone who has ridden a coombi knows that this seat has an easily accessibly window (YAY!) and also a wheel indention that forces you to crunch up your legs (:BOO!). This particular coombi also had an unattached back seat which means that we leaned forward for the entirety of our 3.5 hour drive to Jo’burg. Luckily I slept for an hour or so. **SIDENOTE: I have never been to Jo’burg because we are not allowed there as PCV’s, it has over 100 murders a day. I had to receive special permission for this day trip. I figured I would get a small tour of the city maybe. . . ** I woke up only to find that the workshop was being held in a clearly affluent suburb of Jo’burg and a tour of the city was out of the question. St. Stithian’s College, a school for grades R-12, was the venue. The tuition for the school is R7000 a month!! That is far more than any teacher or average S. African could afford to pay! So the children of the rich attend this school and Africaaner teachers led the sessions. We began the day in true South African fashion with tea and biscuits followed by a prayer and gospel reading. From there we had a 1.5 talk on OBE (Outcomes Based Education) which is the current educational curriculum. Then a half hour tea and sandwich break. Finally we had an hour talk on how a classroom should be decorated to motivate students. Yes, that is it. 2.5 hours of lecture and back into the coombi we went. When I found out that this was the first of 10 Saturday workshops I knew I couldn’t justify attending another one. 8 hours of travel for less than 3 hours of lecture. Can you believe that not one other person complained about the travel time? And even more shocking- not one person brought a single reading material or activity along to occupy them during the hours of travel. They simply slept or looked out the window for 8 hours. I was in complete disbelief.
On an unrelated note: I received 3 FABULOUS care packages from my mom and sisters:-) In addition to many self-indulgent treats (jewelry, clothes, perfume, snacks, burst bees, etc) they gave me a soccer ball- which has already been worn in and punctured by barbed wire (about 15 boys play on a nearby football field each day after school now, thanks to this gift.) For the tiny boys I received 10 matchbox cars. I gave one to each boy and immediately they held races, built tracks in the sand, again after 2 days the cars looked as if they had been here for years. Then for the older girls I received earring hooks and beads. So we have made earrings out of beads, rocks wrapped in wire, and even from the feathers that the neighborhood boys bring me after slingshot birds. Also I received random toys (stuffed zebra, coloring books, fun hair ties, etc) and whenever I hand out these things I know I am really making the child feel special. So thanks a lot mom, Ab, Morg, these small things make the children ridiculously happy (and me too!).
I have continued with my teaching of Natural Science and each day I enjoy it a bit more. The learners have begun to understand my expectation that they answer questions when called on and that they mustn’t fear me. Since critical thinking is severally lacking learners are not usd to coming up with their own ideas. They expect each question to have one correct (memorized) answer. Which reminds me that yesterday Karabo came into my room looked at my computer and in unison with her friend said a school-given definition of what a computer is and does. I have also begun working with Reneilwe, a foundation phase teacher, on the Eco-School Student Council. This is a group of 12 learners in grades 4-7 who will be the leaders in the coming year regarding the environmental initiatives and projects that the school takes on. We began today by addressing the issue of rubbish (and nutrition in a round about way). You see kids here eat cheese snaks/ zimbas (essentially cheetos in a variety of colors and flavors) for breakfast, snack, and dinner. When finished the wrappers are tossed onto the ground. They’re cheap and they’re sold on school grounds. So the ESSC made a box and collected all the wrappers of zimbas/snaks during their short break. They plan on using these wrappers as a shocking visual for an upcoming program and then using them in a to-be-determined art project. Please let me know if you have ideas. I say multiple times a day “The world is not your rubbish bin” and then insist the children pick up their garbage.
This past Friday my principal asked if I wanted to go to a workshop in Jo’burg. In a morning haze I agreed. Only after agreeing did he tell me he would pick me up from my home at 4:30am the next morning. So with the sun still sleeping I arrived at his home. 14 educators, 1 principal, and one sleepy volunteer climbed into a coombi at 5am. I took one for the team and sat in the far back seat, right hand side. Anyone who has ridden a coombi knows that this seat has an easily accessibly window (YAY!) and also a wheel indention that forces you to crunch up your legs (:BOO!). This particular coombi also had an unattached back seat which means that we leaned forward for the entirety of our 3.5 hour drive to Jo’burg. Luckily I slept for an hour or so. **SIDENOTE: I have never been to Jo’burg because we are not allowed there as PCV’s, it has over 100 murders a day. I had to receive special permission for this day trip. I figured I would get a small tour of the city maybe. . . ** I woke up only to find that the workshop was being held in a clearly affluent suburb of Jo’burg and a tour of the city was out of the question. St. Stithian’s College, a school for grades R-12, was the venue. The tuition for the school is R7000 a month!! That is far more than any teacher or average S. African could afford to pay! So the children of the rich attend this school and Africaaner teachers led the sessions. We began the day in true South African fashion with tea and biscuits followed by a prayer and gospel reading. From there we had a 1.5 talk on OBE (Outcomes Based Education) which is the current educational curriculum. Then a half hour tea and sandwich break. Finally we had an hour talk on how a classroom should be decorated to motivate students. Yes, that is it. 2.5 hours of lecture and back into the coombi we went. When I found out that this was the first of 10 Saturday workshops I knew I couldn’t justify attending another one. 8 hours of travel for less than 3 hours of lecture. Can you believe that not one other person complained about the travel time? And even more shocking- not one person brought a single reading material or activity along to occupy them during the hours of travel. They simply slept or looked out the window for 8 hours. I was in complete disbelief.
On an unrelated note: I received 3 FABULOUS care packages from my mom and sisters:-) In addition to many self-indulgent treats (jewelry, clothes, perfume, snacks, burst bees, etc) they gave me a soccer ball- which has already been worn in and punctured by barbed wire (about 15 boys play on a nearby football field each day after school now, thanks to this gift.) For the tiny boys I received 10 matchbox cars. I gave one to each boy and immediately they held races, built tracks in the sand, again after 2 days the cars looked as if they had been here for years. Then for the older girls I received earring hooks and beads. So we have made earrings out of beads, rocks wrapped in wire, and even from the feathers that the neighborhood boys bring me after slingshot birds. Also I received random toys (stuffed zebra, coloring books, fun hair ties, etc) and whenever I hand out these things I know I am really making the child feel special. So thanks a lot mom, Ab, Morg, these small things make the children ridiculously happy (and me too!).
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Teaching?
I enter the classroom. In unison and in a robotic tone 36 learners stand and say:
“Good morning Madam M-oh-lly”
“Good morning” I say
“How are you Madam M-oh-lly”
“I am great, thanks! How are you?” (By my saying “great” instead of “fine” I trip them up a bit.)
“We are fine Madam. Thank you Madam.”
It’s the beginning of a new school year and I have begun teaching grade 4 Natural Science. This year at Mannyetha School we have 770 learners and 24 teachers. Grade 4 has over a hundred learners and so I will be teaching 3 1-hour classes twice a week.
Yesterday was my first class. I began by having students write their name and village on a note card. Then I thought I would have them write a science-related question. I explained that I was looking for a question we may be able to study at some point during the year; for example: why is the weather hot? After two minutes of examples and explanation I asked for a volunteer to give their own example of a science-related question. The learner I called on said “chair.” Wow. The next learner I called said “Why is the weather hot?” So I informed the class that they had to think of their own question- no repeating of my examples.
Later I looked through the cards and the most frequent question was “Why is the weather cold?” Other responses included: random words “cold, water, hose,” “Why I wi lafing” (Why are we laughing?), “Why is the house dirty?”, “Pen is not heavy.” “Why the tree shakes?” “Why is my mom going?” and “Why don’t I have the red color?”
This is going to be a long year. Thankfully I have other projects that may prove to be more fruitful.
“Good morning Madam M-oh-lly”
“Good morning” I say
“How are you Madam M-oh-lly”
“I am great, thanks! How are you?” (By my saying “great” instead of “fine” I trip them up a bit.)
“We are fine Madam. Thank you Madam.”
It’s the beginning of a new school year and I have begun teaching grade 4 Natural Science. This year at Mannyetha School we have 770 learners and 24 teachers. Grade 4 has over a hundred learners and so I will be teaching 3 1-hour classes twice a week.
Yesterday was my first class. I began by having students write their name and village on a note card. Then I thought I would have them write a science-related question. I explained that I was looking for a question we may be able to study at some point during the year; for example: why is the weather hot? After two minutes of examples and explanation I asked for a volunteer to give their own example of a science-related question. The learner I called on said “chair.” Wow. The next learner I called said “Why is the weather hot?” So I informed the class that they had to think of their own question- no repeating of my examples.
Later I looked through the cards and the most frequent question was “Why is the weather cold?” Other responses included: random words “cold, water, hose,” “Why I wi lafing” (Why are we laughing?), “Why is the house dirty?”, “Pen is not heavy.” “Why the tree shakes?” “Why is my mom going?” and “Why don’t I have the red color?”
This is going to be a long year. Thankfully I have other projects that may prove to be more fruitful.
Friday, November 14, 2008
pula pula pula!
So what has happened with me in the past month? I spotted 2 green mambas and ran. I witnessed my first South African rain on 10/18. I celebrated my golden birthday (10/25) on a mountaintop. Obama was elected! The rat accompanied me many times to the toilet. I danced and sang at a farewell function. I met the queen of Seletang. I went to a wedding for 2 Americans! . . . and more.
At Mannyetha School I finished “phase 1” of my library project last week. This means essentially I sorted through a room stuffed with hundreds of books, sports equipment, dead insects, broken computers, shelving, ancient encyclopedias, and magazines. After weeks of being covered in dust from head to toe I am proud to now walk through aisles of shelves with organized rows of books.
The Department of Education has changed their curriculum an obnoxious amount of times in recent years. For each curriculum they create new text books to meet the learning outcomes and assessment standards. This school has been fortunate to have the funds to purchase books for nearly each change of curriculum. Let’s see there are books for: Outcomes Based Education (OBE), Curriculum 2005, National Curriculum Standards (NCS) & Revised National Curriculum Standards (RNCS). Do we really need 4 texts books for the same subject and same grade? I tried to minimize the mass of books and now the entire back wall of the library is stacked from floor to ceiling with books organized by grade and subject (Arts & Culture, Life Orientation, Technology, English, Sepedi, Economic Management Science, Natural Science & Maths (not a typing error)).
I’m not sure if I wrote about the ridiculous amount of horror and explicit romance novels that are in the library. . . let me tell you it’s shocking! Of over 300 adult fiction books at least 60% will need to be packed away from these young ones. We have an impressive 7 sets of encyclopedias (Britannica, World Book, Funk & Wagnall’s, etc) dated from 1965 to 1990. Finally we have maybe 80 early chapter books and maybe 200 children’s books. The children’s books are in decent condition but I’m going to start looking for book donations. Some of the best leveled readers in this library came from the Department of Education’s “Stars of Africa,” Cambridge, and other book series’. The sets contain different reading levels and all books have bright pictures, relatable topics, and children of all colors. Kids need to see themselves represented in the books they read. Stories I particularly like are: Be Quiet! Sit Still! Don’t Wriggle! (a book about going to church), The Lost Headband (a bride loses her wedding headband and in Zulu tradition can’t get married without it), and Lizzie and the Water Spirit (spirits have great powers in this culture).
I’ve been thinking about starting a Junior Authors program at this school. I’m not sure yet what it will look like but I’m thinking each of the 720 learners will write a book and we will go through the entire publishing process. Since learners here have and know how to use computers we can really turn this into something beautiful! Plus I have seen amazing doodles on the notebooks and arms of learners . . . (Some children already have tattoos from drawing so deep and hard into their arms, it’s sad-)
What else am I thinking about starting at Mannyetha? At the end of October teachers submitted their Eco School report and are looking to earn their 2nd certificate of recognition as an International Eco School. But the teacher’s do all the work. . . so maybe we can have a Eco School Student Council? To promote the library maybe we can have a Great Books program where learners read and then discuss books. I would like to possibly make use of the unused science lab and teach some classes. Then I have some teacher workshop ideas: critical thinking, financial literacy, maybe Natural Science, English, and Maths.
Next week the learners will be out of school until January for their summer vacation. However the educators remain at school until December 9th grading and preparing for next year. During this time I am going to hold computer workshops on excel and power point. Although in the US I consider myself minimally computer literate here my skills are plentifulJ
For six days it has been raining! Yesterday it poured from 4pm until I woke up this morning. There are massive drums at each gutter spout to collect water and I don’t think we’re going to commute to the river for some time. In less than 5 minutes I filled my 20L jug. Last night the sheep circled a small tree and appeared to be on an island. Drenched, they shoved their faces into each other as usual. The goats took a different approach and leaned against the neighbor’s home. They were still getting wet, all expect for the half of their bodies touching the wall. The chalky ground is sprouting grass all over, giant centipedes and chachas roam the village.
Before the rain began maabane (Sepedi word for the day before yesterday!) afternoon I was playing “bread” in the street with maybe 20 kids. To play you draw a large rectangle in the dirt and put an end zone on each side. Then team 1 tries to go from end to end 30 times while the team 2 tries to hit them from just outside the rectangle with a small ball made of bread & orange bags. Those who are hit are out of the game. If when team 2 throws the ball it hits the ground it is fair gamed to be kicked far away from the Bread court by Team 1s players who have been knocked out. I hope this makes some sense. . .but I am not writing about Bread because it’s an exceptionally creative or stimulating game. I am writing because my sister Karabo tried to kick the ball away from the Bread Court yesterday when her barefoot landed in the barbed wire fence. By barbed wire I don’t mean the usual knots of wire with sharp tips- instead I am speaking of the razor blade-sized barbed wire that surrounds prisons (and my home). Anyhow my brain kicked into turbo-panic mode and I ran over, swept her sobbing body into my arms and quickly walked (she’s 10 and tall) to my porch. I broke out the PC medical kit and applied pressure for ten minutes. The cut was at least a ¼ of an inch deep, and gushed thick blood. It certainly required stitches but knowing that wouldn’t happen I mended her with gauze, tape, Tylenol, and a coloring book (thanks Morg!). Two days later its still oozing. . .
My greatest difficulties thus far are: the heat, sexism, and insects. The heat I guess I just have to deal with. . I’ve invested in a fan. The insects. . I keep my windows closed most of the timeL, I have a draft dodger for the giants that creep under my door at night (best investment!), and I use my headlamp with vigor.
The sexism. . grrr. This issue began with one of my principals before I even moved to my site. We were having tea at the supervisors workshop, he finished first and said “Do you know the role of a woman? You should take this tea cup.” To which I hastily responded “Ahh. . in my culture we each take care of ourselves. In fact if you take my empty cup I would call you a gentleman.” He said “Ahh. . if I took your cup I wouldn’t be a man.” This led to a 40 minute discussion between 4 male principals, Meg and I. We tried to speak calmly as the steam from our ears condensed on their spectacles.
The following week I made a visit to the school and sat in the board room for lunch. Him: “Do you notice something cultural here?” Me: “Yes, there are only men here- I will not be sitting here when I return permanently.” Him: “Yes, it’s fine you’re here; we just eat separate. No problem.” But upon further thought – there was a problem. You see the four male teachers eat in a board room with plush chairs and the cooks bring platters of food to the table. Meanwhile the 18 female teachers serve the learners and then eat alone in their classrooms while supervising the students.
One more brief convo: Him: “You must never walk alone to the tar road, a man could attack you.” Me: “I’m strong, I know self-defense.” Him: “You have strength, but not like a man, you could never be stronger than a man.”
As you may imagine each day holds at least a small spice of sexism. The trouble is the intersection/separation of cultural roles and equality.
Some more cultural notes:
My host father is amazing; each time we speak I come away with a better understanding of his faith-based mentality. I asked him some time ago about the rondaval in our yard. It has maybe a 10 foot diameter and is well built with cement blocks and has a thatched roof but I’ve never seen anyone enter it. He told me the ancestors came to him in a dream and told him to build this rondaval. He is the only one who enters and does so every 3 months or so. What’s inside? He couldn’t tell me.
Yesterday my father told me about a dilemma. Today there is a funeral for a relative- a baby passed away. Tomorrow there is a church event with the congregation in Jo’burg. He wants to attend both events but as a priest he cannot. If a priest attends a funeral he is not supposed to travel for 7 days otherwise “the God will be mad.” But if he doesn’t give sympathy to the family he will be disrespectful. Then he has the congregation in Jo’burg also counting on him.
If you sweep and the dust/debris lands on a man’s feet he will not get married. If you eat food from the pot it will rain on your wedding day. I only know about these 2 beliefs because I have done both. . .
At Mannyetha School I finished “phase 1” of my library project last week. This means essentially I sorted through a room stuffed with hundreds of books, sports equipment, dead insects, broken computers, shelving, ancient encyclopedias, and magazines. After weeks of being covered in dust from head to toe I am proud to now walk through aisles of shelves with organized rows of books.
The Department of Education has changed their curriculum an obnoxious amount of times in recent years. For each curriculum they create new text books to meet the learning outcomes and assessment standards. This school has been fortunate to have the funds to purchase books for nearly each change of curriculum. Let’s see there are books for: Outcomes Based Education (OBE), Curriculum 2005, National Curriculum Standards (NCS) & Revised National Curriculum Standards (RNCS). Do we really need 4 texts books for the same subject and same grade? I tried to minimize the mass of books and now the entire back wall of the library is stacked from floor to ceiling with books organized by grade and subject (Arts & Culture, Life Orientation, Technology, English, Sepedi, Economic Management Science, Natural Science & Maths (not a typing error)).
I’m not sure if I wrote about the ridiculous amount of horror and explicit romance novels that are in the library. . . let me tell you it’s shocking! Of over 300 adult fiction books at least 60% will need to be packed away from these young ones. We have an impressive 7 sets of encyclopedias (Britannica, World Book, Funk & Wagnall’s, etc) dated from 1965 to 1990. Finally we have maybe 80 early chapter books and maybe 200 children’s books. The children’s books are in decent condition but I’m going to start looking for book donations. Some of the best leveled readers in this library came from the Department of Education’s “Stars of Africa,” Cambridge, and other book series’. The sets contain different reading levels and all books have bright pictures, relatable topics, and children of all colors. Kids need to see themselves represented in the books they read. Stories I particularly like are: Be Quiet! Sit Still! Don’t Wriggle! (a book about going to church), The Lost Headband (a bride loses her wedding headband and in Zulu tradition can’t get married without it), and Lizzie and the Water Spirit (spirits have great powers in this culture).
I’ve been thinking about starting a Junior Authors program at this school. I’m not sure yet what it will look like but I’m thinking each of the 720 learners will write a book and we will go through the entire publishing process. Since learners here have and know how to use computers we can really turn this into something beautiful! Plus I have seen amazing doodles on the notebooks and arms of learners . . . (Some children already have tattoos from drawing so deep and hard into their arms, it’s sad-)
What else am I thinking about starting at Mannyetha? At the end of October teachers submitted their Eco School report and are looking to earn their 2nd certificate of recognition as an International Eco School. But the teacher’s do all the work. . . so maybe we can have a Eco School Student Council? To promote the library maybe we can have a Great Books program where learners read and then discuss books. I would like to possibly make use of the unused science lab and teach some classes. Then I have some teacher workshop ideas: critical thinking, financial literacy, maybe Natural Science, English, and Maths.
Next week the learners will be out of school until January for their summer vacation. However the educators remain at school until December 9th grading and preparing for next year. During this time I am going to hold computer workshops on excel and power point. Although in the US I consider myself minimally computer literate here my skills are plentifulJ
For six days it has been raining! Yesterday it poured from 4pm until I woke up this morning. There are massive drums at each gutter spout to collect water and I don’t think we’re going to commute to the river for some time. In less than 5 minutes I filled my 20L jug. Last night the sheep circled a small tree and appeared to be on an island. Drenched, they shoved their faces into each other as usual. The goats took a different approach and leaned against the neighbor’s home. They were still getting wet, all expect for the half of their bodies touching the wall. The chalky ground is sprouting grass all over, giant centipedes and chachas roam the village.
Before the rain began maabane (Sepedi word for the day before yesterday!) afternoon I was playing “bread” in the street with maybe 20 kids. To play you draw a large rectangle in the dirt and put an end zone on each side. Then team 1 tries to go from end to end 30 times while the team 2 tries to hit them from just outside the rectangle with a small ball made of bread & orange bags. Those who are hit are out of the game. If when team 2 throws the ball it hits the ground it is fair gamed to be kicked far away from the Bread court by Team 1s players who have been knocked out. I hope this makes some sense. . .but I am not writing about Bread because it’s an exceptionally creative or stimulating game. I am writing because my sister Karabo tried to kick the ball away from the Bread Court yesterday when her barefoot landed in the barbed wire fence. By barbed wire I don’t mean the usual knots of wire with sharp tips- instead I am speaking of the razor blade-sized barbed wire that surrounds prisons (and my home). Anyhow my brain kicked into turbo-panic mode and I ran over, swept her sobbing body into my arms and quickly walked (she’s 10 and tall) to my porch. I broke out the PC medical kit and applied pressure for ten minutes. The cut was at least a ¼ of an inch deep, and gushed thick blood. It certainly required stitches but knowing that wouldn’t happen I mended her with gauze, tape, Tylenol, and a coloring book (thanks Morg!). Two days later its still oozing. . .
My greatest difficulties thus far are: the heat, sexism, and insects. The heat I guess I just have to deal with. . I’ve invested in a fan. The insects. . I keep my windows closed most of the timeL, I have a draft dodger for the giants that creep under my door at night (best investment!), and I use my headlamp with vigor.
The sexism. . grrr. This issue began with one of my principals before I even moved to my site. We were having tea at the supervisors workshop, he finished first and said “Do you know the role of a woman? You should take this tea cup.” To which I hastily responded “Ahh. . in my culture we each take care of ourselves. In fact if you take my empty cup I would call you a gentleman.” He said “Ahh. . if I took your cup I wouldn’t be a man.” This led to a 40 minute discussion between 4 male principals, Meg and I. We tried to speak calmly as the steam from our ears condensed on their spectacles.
The following week I made a visit to the school and sat in the board room for lunch. Him: “Do you notice something cultural here?” Me: “Yes, there are only men here- I will not be sitting here when I return permanently.” Him: “Yes, it’s fine you’re here; we just eat separate. No problem.” But upon further thought – there was a problem. You see the four male teachers eat in a board room with plush chairs and the cooks bring platters of food to the table. Meanwhile the 18 female teachers serve the learners and then eat alone in their classrooms while supervising the students.
One more brief convo: Him: “You must never walk alone to the tar road, a man could attack you.” Me: “I’m strong, I know self-defense.” Him: “You have strength, but not like a man, you could never be stronger than a man.”
As you may imagine each day holds at least a small spice of sexism. The trouble is the intersection/separation of cultural roles and equality.
Some more cultural notes:
My host father is amazing; each time we speak I come away with a better understanding of his faith-based mentality. I asked him some time ago about the rondaval in our yard. It has maybe a 10 foot diameter and is well built with cement blocks and has a thatched roof but I’ve never seen anyone enter it. He told me the ancestors came to him in a dream and told him to build this rondaval. He is the only one who enters and does so every 3 months or so. What’s inside? He couldn’t tell me.
Yesterday my father told me about a dilemma. Today there is a funeral for a relative- a baby passed away. Tomorrow there is a church event with the congregation in Jo’burg. He wants to attend both events but as a priest he cannot. If a priest attends a funeral he is not supposed to travel for 7 days otherwise “the God will be mad.” But if he doesn’t give sympathy to the family he will be disrespectful. Then he has the congregation in Jo’burg also counting on him.
If you sweep and the dust/debris lands on a man’s feet he will not get married. If you eat food from the pot it will rain on your wedding day. I only know about these 2 beliefs because I have done both. . .
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
