I spent another week teaching one subject to different grades at each of my schools. I'm working my way up through Grade 3 this week, but in all honesty....my heart/mind aren't focuses on the little ones this week. All I can think, dream, talk, and write about is tomorrow. November 4th. Election Day! The moment of truth!
It's hard to believe this day has finally come. Even if you can't stand politics, this election season has been so long that everybody (I think) has been drawn in. Peace Corps has given us permission to take a few days off and spend time with our friends enjoying the election results. I'll be heading to my Provincial capitol tomorrow to watch the results with other PCVs in my area.
The enthusiasm, optimism, pride, and yes....HOPE that Senator Obama brings with him is unexplainable. The man has motivated an entire nation (well...alot of people) to get involved in politics again and actually give a damn about what's going on. His family, for me, is a model of what I hope to accomplish as a young Black American. Michelle Obama is an example of a strong minded, successful, and determined mother/wife/professional. She is today's modern woman with a kick! During this campaign, she has developed into a role model for me and so many other young women, she'd be an amazing First Lady.
My next blog posting will be emotional....let's just hope it's full of happy sentiments and not explicit words that I probably shouldn't write on my blog anyway.
Si se peude.....
Monday, November 3, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Un-eventful Week
This was a pretty uneventful week here in my village. I decided to create a schedule for myself and my principals so that they (well...and myself) have a clear idea of what I plan to do now until the end of the school year (in Dec). I never realize how much of a teacher I’ve become b/c I find myself miserable and unorganized if I don’t have a weekly schedule or at least some set plans for my week. So to fix the problem, I sat down Monday and mapped out a 7 week schedule. I tweaked it from the one PC gave us :)
I decided to begin team-teaching w/ each grade at both of my schools. I’ll spend between 3-4 days with each grade and continue to observe the teachers, but also teach a few lessons w/ each class. One day a week, Wednesdays, I do work in my community which always involves Girls Club in the afternoon. Friday was my first day of teaching a lesson, and it’s really crazy….but I’ve really missed teaching. I didn’t realize how much until I was doing my lesson. With a Grade 1 class at each of my primary schools, I taught a Maths (not a typo….that’s just what “math class” is called here) lesson counting 1-10 (in English). I was curious if the students could count 1-10, write the numbers, but more importantly recognize the numbers, especially out of sequence.
But before I teach a lesson w/ any of the students in both of my schools, I plan to explain where I am from (AGAIN) but with a map this time so I can point, and act out, my exact whereabouts so there is no more, or at least less, confusion about where I come from. The list now includes: Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Jamaica, and Cape Town. The Cape Town guess threw me off too. I sound funny to them when I talk; especially when I speak Sotho. And so they all know I’m not from around here. A lot of people know there is a Black American woman living in the village, but they aren’t exactly sure what to expect when they see me. For starters, most believe only White people live in America. But then they are TOTALLY thrown off when they meet me and see that I’m Black (like them) but sound white. On numerous occasions I’ve heard people say “she speaks Sahowa (English) but looks like us”, and a lot of people call me a “lehowa” (white person).
Anyway, for one class I was alone w/ the kids for the introduction part and it was…..well…..interesting. Grade 1 students are taught in their native tongue, so none of them speak English. So I attempted to teach them about where I’m from by pointing, gesturing, and speaking the little SothoI actually know. It took me a very long time just to get them to answer my question “Where are you from?” with South Africa, instead of saying their village’s name. I forgot how to say “country” in Sotho. Thankfully, after repeating the same question and getting the same answer, one kid blurted out South Africa! Then I said, “And where am I from?”, and that just got a whole bunch of blank stairs….haha. Anyway, the small introduction eventually worked itself out.
I built the Maths lesson around the game B.I.N.G.O., the kids played in groups and then I showed them how to make their own cards, and we played individually w/ the winner of each round getting to come to the front and call out the number. The kids had to recognize the number I called out (in English) and then find it on their card (if it was one of the numbers they wrote on their cards). Things went very well, and I’m grateful for the teachers' help in explaining how the game works. I spent lunch (eating stamp….chunky/creamy/corny-type porridge) talking w/ the teacher about the lesson and other educational issues, like a need for a Remedial Education-type program at the school and dealing w/ disciplinary issues.
It’s pretty cold today, so I’ve spent my day inside which hasn’t been too bad b/c I enjoy the alone time (every once in a while). I’ve also got’n myself in a little predicament. As I mentioned in previous posts, I pay for my internet by the megabyte. My time limit on using all the megabytes is 30 days, and my limit is up on Monday. Well…I’m having a hard time using up all my MBs and I don’t want them to go to waste. Its funny how when you don’t have regular access to internet there are so many things you need to use it for. But now that I have more than enough (and it will go to waste in another day), I can’t think of anything to use it for. I just keep reloading the news websites (haha).
Anyway…..till next time…..
I decided to begin team-teaching w/ each grade at both of my schools. I’ll spend between 3-4 days with each grade and continue to observe the teachers, but also teach a few lessons w/ each class. One day a week, Wednesdays, I do work in my community which always involves Girls Club in the afternoon. Friday was my first day of teaching a lesson, and it’s really crazy….but I’ve really missed teaching. I didn’t realize how much until I was doing my lesson. With a Grade 1 class at each of my primary schools, I taught a Maths (not a typo….that’s just what “math class” is called here) lesson counting 1-10 (in English). I was curious if the students could count 1-10, write the numbers, but more importantly recognize the numbers, especially out of sequence.
But before I teach a lesson w/ any of the students in both of my schools, I plan to explain where I am from (AGAIN) but with a map this time so I can point, and act out, my exact whereabouts so there is no more, or at least less, confusion about where I come from. The list now includes: Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Jamaica, and Cape Town. The Cape Town guess threw me off too. I sound funny to them when I talk; especially when I speak Sotho. And so they all know I’m not from around here. A lot of people know there is a Black American woman living in the village, but they aren’t exactly sure what to expect when they see me. For starters, most believe only White people live in America. But then they are TOTALLY thrown off when they meet me and see that I’m Black (like them) but sound white. On numerous occasions I’ve heard people say “she speaks Sahowa (English) but looks like us”, and a lot of people call me a “lehowa” (white person).
Anyway, for one class I was alone w/ the kids for the introduction part and it was…..well…..interesting. Grade 1 students are taught in their native tongue, so none of them speak English. So I attempted to teach them about where I’m from by pointing, gesturing, and speaking the little SothoI actually know. It took me a very long time just to get them to answer my question “Where are you from?” with South Africa, instead of saying their village’s name. I forgot how to say “country” in Sotho. Thankfully, after repeating the same question and getting the same answer, one kid blurted out South Africa! Then I said, “And where am I from?”, and that just got a whole bunch of blank stairs….haha. Anyway, the small introduction eventually worked itself out.
I built the Maths lesson around the game B.I.N.G.O., the kids played in groups and then I showed them how to make their own cards, and we played individually w/ the winner of each round getting to come to the front and call out the number. The kids had to recognize the number I called out (in English) and then find it on their card (if it was one of the numbers they wrote on their cards). Things went very well, and I’m grateful for the teachers' help in explaining how the game works. I spent lunch (eating stamp….chunky/creamy/corny-type porridge) talking w/ the teacher about the lesson and other educational issues, like a need for a Remedial Education-type program at the school and dealing w/ disciplinary issues.
It’s pretty cold today, so I’ve spent my day inside which hasn’t been too bad b/c I enjoy the alone time (every once in a while). I’ve also got’n myself in a little predicament. As I mentioned in previous posts, I pay for my internet by the megabyte. My time limit on using all the megabytes is 30 days, and my limit is up on Monday. Well…I’m having a hard time using up all my MBs and I don’t want them to go to waste. Its funny how when you don’t have regular access to internet there are so many things you need to use it for. But now that I have more than enough (and it will go to waste in another day), I can’t think of anything to use it for. I just keep reloading the news websites (haha).
Anyway…..till next time…..
Monday, October 20, 2008
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
When I decided to blog my experiences here in South Africa, I contemplated on how negative I would get with my posts. Because we ALL know my Peace Corps service is not simply crazy adventures and wonderful rosy experiences. It involves those two things, as well as, learning to cope with culture norms that I COMPLETELY disagree with, sitting in classrooms and watching educators teach in a manner that goes against everything I’ve been taught and believe in, seeing (first hand) dependency on government institutions and the negative effects of this dependency, hearing racial and sexist comments w/o being able to....well....curse those people out and tell them how I really feel.
I’ve been here for three months and have already experienced things that I never came across in the States. Some of these experiences have been wonderful while others have made me question the natural goodness that I believe all people have somewhere (however deep down) within themselves.
I’ve seen teachers talk on cell phones while their class goes out of control...I’ve broken up 2 boys kicking each other while the same teacher continued to talk on her cell phone...I’ve listened to a teacher explain how stupid and useless a young girl is as the child STOOD there and listened...I’ve watched a teacher sleeping on the floor in the back of the room while class was in session (in his defense…another teacher was teaching the students)...I’ve watched a teacher get angry and yell at Grade 1 students for not being able to do division problems...I’ve seen the same teacher flick, thump, and smack the heads of these learners b/c they were unable to do these division problems (by the way...I don’t know of any 6 year olds who can do double digit division....do you?)....I’ve watched teachers sit in the teacher’s lounge while the students hangout in the classroom doing...NOTHING!
The magnitude of the work ahead dawned on me last week...
I’ve been here for three months and have already experienced things that I never came across in the States. Some of these experiences have been wonderful while others have made me question the natural goodness that I believe all people have somewhere (however deep down) within themselves.
I’ve seen teachers talk on cell phones while their class goes out of control...I’ve broken up 2 boys kicking each other while the same teacher continued to talk on her cell phone...I’ve listened to a teacher explain how stupid and useless a young girl is as the child STOOD there and listened...I’ve watched a teacher sleeping on the floor in the back of the room while class was in session (in his defense…another teacher was teaching the students)...I’ve watched a teacher get angry and yell at Grade 1 students for not being able to do division problems...I’ve seen the same teacher flick, thump, and smack the heads of these learners b/c they were unable to do these division problems (by the way...I don’t know of any 6 year olds who can do double digit division....do you?)....I’ve watched teachers sit in the teacher’s lounge while the students hangout in the classroom doing...NOTHING!
The magnitude of the work ahead dawned on me last week...
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Community Work
Yesterday morning I was awakened at the bright and early time of 6:30am by a local Community Development Worker (CDW) I met a month ago when I first moved to the village. He wanted to know if I would come along with him for the day to do some work with an organization called Disabled People of South Africa (DPSA) in surrounding villages. The CDW is interested in creating a Assisted Living Facility in our ward (my village and 4 other surrounding villages) for people with disabilities.
I spent the day helping register the information of people in a village near mine and getting to know people in DPSA. It was a VERY rewarding experience. The DPSA volunteers were informing the people of their rights as disabled citizens here in South Africa. They wanted the people to know they have the right to equal opportunity, and if they are experiencing discrimination because of their disability, they have legal rights too.
The turnout for the meeting was big and the people were very interested in the help from DPSA. The CDW had gone around in the community (door-to-door) informing people of the meeting, and his grassroots efforts were very effective b/c alot of people attended. The CDW has A LOT of ambitious ideas for how to help disabled people in our community, and I'm looking forward to helping out any way I can.
Sadly, too often people with disabilities are taken advantage of or even abused by their own family members. If an Assisted Living Facility is built in our community, these individuals will have a place to go. Sort of like a refuge where they can be cared for and live peacefully with others. I'm looking forward to see how this all develops. I plan to continue to be involved in the meetings and planning.
I never thought I'd be involved in working with disabled people in my village, but I go and help where I'm needed. I'm very happy for the opportunity!
I've still been observing teachers this week, and today I was back at it again. I wanted to get a chance to watch all the teachers at my two schools teach at least once class, and by tomorrow I'll have accomplished that goal. Starting next week, I plan to begin team teaching with the teachers. I can honestly say that I'm feeling more and more welcomed at both of my schools each day I go! It's a very nice feeling.
I have A LOT of work ahead of me though in regards to helping improve the teaching at my two schools.....A LOT of work indeed.....
Girls Club this afternoon went well. I taught a session (w/ the help of the two other women who run the club) on women's health. I titled it "Keeping Our Bodies Healthy", and we went over four topics. (1) Cleanliness in regards to what types of products women use when menstruating and how they use them. My demonstrations during this part were.....interesting. (2) Breast exams and how women should get into the habit of checking themselves every month. I then explained why and how. (3) Yeast Infections in regards to the symptoms and what to do if experiencing the symptoms. I explained yeast as a type of fungus, like a mushroom, but then I had to go back and explain that mushrooms won't grow on your private area, just ANOTHER TYPE of fungus. And then (4) Safe Sex, dealing w/ what actually is considered safe sex, what's birth control, what types of birth control is there, and how do you get it. Birth control is free here in South Africa, so I'm always encouraging the sexually active young people to take advantage of the free service. I haven't figured out why so many choose not to.
Till next time....
I spent the day helping register the information of people in a village near mine and getting to know people in DPSA. It was a VERY rewarding experience. The DPSA volunteers were informing the people of their rights as disabled citizens here in South Africa. They wanted the people to know they have the right to equal opportunity, and if they are experiencing discrimination because of their disability, they have legal rights too.
The turnout for the meeting was big and the people were very interested in the help from DPSA. The CDW had gone around in the community (door-to-door) informing people of the meeting, and his grassroots efforts were very effective b/c alot of people attended. The CDW has A LOT of ambitious ideas for how to help disabled people in our community, and I'm looking forward to helping out any way I can.
Sadly, too often people with disabilities are taken advantage of or even abused by their own family members. If an Assisted Living Facility is built in our community, these individuals will have a place to go. Sort of like a refuge where they can be cared for and live peacefully with others. I'm looking forward to see how this all develops. I plan to continue to be involved in the meetings and planning.
I never thought I'd be involved in working with disabled people in my village, but I go and help where I'm needed. I'm very happy for the opportunity!
I've still been observing teachers this week, and today I was back at it again. I wanted to get a chance to watch all the teachers at my two schools teach at least once class, and by tomorrow I'll have accomplished that goal. Starting next week, I plan to begin team teaching with the teachers. I can honestly say that I'm feeling more and more welcomed at both of my schools each day I go! It's a very nice feeling.
I have A LOT of work ahead of me though in regards to helping improve the teaching at my two schools.....A LOT of work indeed.....
Girls Club this afternoon went well. I taught a session (w/ the help of the two other women who run the club) on women's health. I titled it "Keeping Our Bodies Healthy", and we went over four topics. (1) Cleanliness in regards to what types of products women use when menstruating and how they use them. My demonstrations during this part were.....interesting. (2) Breast exams and how women should get into the habit of checking themselves every month. I then explained why and how. (3) Yeast Infections in regards to the symptoms and what to do if experiencing the symptoms. I explained yeast as a type of fungus, like a mushroom, but then I had to go back and explain that mushrooms won't grow on your private area, just ANOTHER TYPE of fungus. And then (4) Safe Sex, dealing w/ what actually is considered safe sex, what's birth control, what types of birth control is there, and how do you get it. Birth control is free here in South Africa, so I'm always encouraging the sexually active young people to take advantage of the free service. I haven't figured out why so many choose not to.
Till next time....
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Politics....Far and Away
I finally did something Saturday that I've been waiting to do for almost a full year now. VOTE!!! It felt great to fill out my Federal Write-In Absentee ballot. I placed my ballot in the mail Saturday, and now I'm saying extra-crispy prayers every night to make sure the ballot arrives safely in the hands of the people at my home Board of Elections. It is now, officially and technically, out of my hands. But it still felt GREAT to mark the ballot box for this historic elections.
As many of you may or may not know, I was highly involved in Senator Obama's nomination before I left for my service here. It has been VERY difficult being here and out of the "political loop", but THANK GOODNESS for internet news. I went from having my television tuned into MSNBC at all hours, to reloading Google News, MSNBC's website, and the "Huffington Post" to keep up with the politics going on back home.
What has been great and refreshing is the excitement for Senator Obama over here. I've been surprised at the number of SAs who ask me if I like Obama or think he is going to win. It's been a great excuse to talk politics, which I miss doing. Thankfully alot of volunteers in my group enjoy political conversations. Several of us held our breath as we waited to hear who Obama and McCain chose for their running mates.
It's been one month since I've been here in my village, and I have to admit, it feels like I've been here A LOT longer :) I had a very relaxing weekend. Saturday I spent time with other volunteers in our shopping town taking care of business like buying my two staple foods: cereal and peanut butter, dropping off my absentee ballot, receiving political magazines in the mail from a friend back in the states (THANKS MARK!!!), receiving a copy of Obama's Democratic Convention acceptance speech in the mail (THANKS TREVOR!!!), and enjoying some chips and chicken dust at a local food hut while catching up w/ friends. French fries are called chips here. And chicken dust is chicken cooked on an open braai (grill). It's delicious!!!
I spent today reading my gifts, the TIME and Newsweek magazine while sitting under a tree in my yard with my sister, and just shooting the breeze. The afternoon was interesting b/c a snake was spotted in my year, so my family had an adventurous time trying to find the snake and kill it. It was spotted by a neighbor, and my buti (brother) found that it was hiding in a tire against our barbed wire fence. As I (obviously) stood back (a distance) and watched, the snake was jolted from its hiding spot and went under the nearest banana tree. The family then tried to smoke it out. They lit the banana tree (no banana's were on it) on fire in the hopes that the snake would come out. I guess the snake was took scared to come out b/c by the time the fire went out....there was no snake.
The family wanted to make sure the snake was dead b/c we have little kids playing in our yard and chickens running everywhere. The snake, possibly poisonous, could cause some serious harm to someone or something. All-in-all it was an adventurous 30 minutes ordeal.
So lately I've been hearing the difference between my Sepedi and the native speakers. They speak with more of a guttural tone, as opposed to me speaking more through my nose (at least that's how my sister humorously explained it to me, I just hear a difference). I'm trying to mimic my sister when she speaks, but its difficult. People hear that I sound different but don't automatically think I'm from America. They just hear how different I sound. I've been accused of sounding like I'm from Zimbabwe and Malawi! Today someone guessed I was from Cape Town (I didn't correct him). Maybe in a year or so I'll be able to mold my Sepedi speaking accent into the local dialect. We'll see....
Tomorrow begins another week of observing teachers at my two schools. I'm still working on building trustful relationships with the teachers and developing ideas of where I'm needed and how (exactly) I can help during my two years of service here.
Till next time...
As many of you may or may not know, I was highly involved in Senator Obama's nomination before I left for my service here. It has been VERY difficult being here and out of the "political loop", but THANK GOODNESS for internet news. I went from having my television tuned into MSNBC at all hours, to reloading Google News, MSNBC's website, and the "Huffington Post" to keep up with the politics going on back home.
What has been great and refreshing is the excitement for Senator Obama over here. I've been surprised at the number of SAs who ask me if I like Obama or think he is going to win. It's been a great excuse to talk politics, which I miss doing. Thankfully alot of volunteers in my group enjoy political conversations. Several of us held our breath as we waited to hear who Obama and McCain chose for their running mates.
It's been one month since I've been here in my village, and I have to admit, it feels like I've been here A LOT longer :) I had a very relaxing weekend. Saturday I spent time with other volunteers in our shopping town taking care of business like buying my two staple foods: cereal and peanut butter, dropping off my absentee ballot, receiving political magazines in the mail from a friend back in the states (THANKS MARK!!!), receiving a copy of Obama's Democratic Convention acceptance speech in the mail (THANKS TREVOR!!!), and enjoying some chips and chicken dust at a local food hut while catching up w/ friends. French fries are called chips here. And chicken dust is chicken cooked on an open braai (grill). It's delicious!!!
I spent today reading my gifts, the TIME and Newsweek magazine while sitting under a tree in my yard with my sister, and just shooting the breeze. The afternoon was interesting b/c a snake was spotted in my year, so my family had an adventurous time trying to find the snake and kill it. It was spotted by a neighbor, and my buti (brother) found that it was hiding in a tire against our barbed wire fence. As I (obviously) stood back (a distance) and watched, the snake was jolted from its hiding spot and went under the nearest banana tree. The family then tried to smoke it out. They lit the banana tree (no banana's were on it) on fire in the hopes that the snake would come out. I guess the snake was took scared to come out b/c by the time the fire went out....there was no snake.
The family wanted to make sure the snake was dead b/c we have little kids playing in our yard and chickens running everywhere. The snake, possibly poisonous, could cause some serious harm to someone or something. All-in-all it was an adventurous 30 minutes ordeal.
So lately I've been hearing the difference between my Sepedi and the native speakers. They speak with more of a guttural tone, as opposed to me speaking more through my nose (at least that's how my sister humorously explained it to me, I just hear a difference). I'm trying to mimic my sister when she speaks, but its difficult. People hear that I sound different but don't automatically think I'm from America. They just hear how different I sound. I've been accused of sounding like I'm from Zimbabwe and Malawi! Today someone guessed I was from Cape Town (I didn't correct him). Maybe in a year or so I'll be able to mold my Sepedi speaking accent into the local dialect. We'll see....
Tomorrow begins another week of observing teachers at my two schools. I'm still working on building trustful relationships with the teachers and developing ideas of where I'm needed and how (exactly) I can help during my two years of service here.
Till next time...
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Building Relationships
I started this week off observing teachers at my two primary schools. It was a rude awakening into the challenges that lay ahead of me. Depending on the administration, English is supposed to be the language of instruction starting in the lower primary grades (2-4); but the classes I observed used a lot more of the native tongue than I expected. Not that I blame the teachers. As an ESL teacher in the States, I would always fall back on speaking Spanish if I had a difficult time explaining something in English to my Spanish-speaking students. For my non-Spanish speaking ESL students, it was challenging for me to teach. BUT……finger pointing, jesters, and acting out events goes a long way. I always found a way and managed. In the classes I observed, many teacher spoke a mixture of Sepedi and English (but more heavy on the Sepedi than English). Not that I blame them….English is the teacher’s second (or maybe 3rd) language.
I also found that my presence as an observer was often a distraction. I purposely sat in the back of the classroom, but that didn’t stop the students from trying (inconspicuously) to sneak peaks at me whenever they had the chance. I’m still trying to adjusting to all the staring, so what I’ve started doing is “beating them at their own game”. If I feel eyes on me, I turn and play the staring game. I’m usually the winner! I don’t stare in a malicious way, but I do make it obvious that I see them looking at me. The teachers also had a tendency to explain to me what they were doing and why. I really wanted them to pretend I wasn’t there.
By Wednesday I was struggling b/c I hadn’t felt like I was completely welcomed at one of my schools. At one point, I was in the situation where people were talking in a room but become (obviously) quiet when I entered. At another time, after I greeted the teachers, they said something in Sepedi and all started laughing. I felt like I was in high school all over again. Building relationships with the teachers I’m here to work with is going to be my first MAJOR challenge. What I’ve decided to do is fall back on the one thing that I’m really really good at……SUCKING UP!!!
Today I purposely engaged one of the teachers in a conversation that I knew he was interested in: Teacher Unions. I also ate lunch in the teacher’s lounge today, even though yesterday I was (honestly) embarrassed because I felt as if they were laughing at me, but I didn’t know why. I went to school today with a different attitude. I decided to do whatever I could to make them like me. That means smiling A LOT, engaging them in conversation no matter how difficult, speaking their language as far as my knowledge will take me, and asking them questions about themselves as much as possible.
I’m even getting creative by making cards for all the teachers in celebration for World Teacher’s Day tomorrow (Friday). I plan to hand them out tomorrow, and I hope it doesn’t blow up in my face. But after inquiring about what they (the teachers) were doing for celebration, I found out they had no plans or activities. So the purpose of the cards is two folds: (1) show them I care by hand making cards for each one of them and (2) show them that I think they are important enough to have something special on a day of celebration for them. Well....and of course to make them like me :)
I had a successful session with Girls Club this week, which was a great motivation booster for me. On Wednesday I did a lesson on the Woman’s Body, specifically on the menstrual cycle. I had the girls popcorn read a story about two girls around their age. The girls are friends, and one explains the menstrual cycle to the other who experiences it for the first time. We then took a look at a picture of the female anatomy while I walked through, step-by-step, what happens every month for women. To conclude the lesson, the girls were split into groups and had to write down two questions they have about their bodies. One of the young women in the village, who also helps with the Girls Club, did the lesson with me so that she could translate for me when necessary. The questions the girls came up with were GREAT!!! However, me and my friend did have a difficult time answering some of them. We had some good laughs :) In the end I felt satisfied with the fact that even if they still did not completely understand the menstrual cycle, they ATLEAST have a better idea of what happens and why. And by the end of the session, I felt better in regards to interacting with the girls. I'm beginning to learn more of their names, but more importantly, I can actually pronunciation the one’s that were so difficult for me a week ago.
This week started off a bit rough, but ended on an upward slope. In Peace Corps, it’s the little success stories that keep us volunteers motivated about our projects and purpose of being here. I definitely experienced that this week.
I also found that my presence as an observer was often a distraction. I purposely sat in the back of the classroom, but that didn’t stop the students from trying (inconspicuously) to sneak peaks at me whenever they had the chance. I’m still trying to adjusting to all the staring, so what I’ve started doing is “beating them at their own game”. If I feel eyes on me, I turn and play the staring game. I’m usually the winner! I don’t stare in a malicious way, but I do make it obvious that I see them looking at me. The teachers also had a tendency to explain to me what they were doing and why. I really wanted them to pretend I wasn’t there.
By Wednesday I was struggling b/c I hadn’t felt like I was completely welcomed at one of my schools. At one point, I was in the situation where people were talking in a room but become (obviously) quiet when I entered. At another time, after I greeted the teachers, they said something in Sepedi and all started laughing. I felt like I was in high school all over again. Building relationships with the teachers I’m here to work with is going to be my first MAJOR challenge. What I’ve decided to do is fall back on the one thing that I’m really really good at……SUCKING UP!!!
Today I purposely engaged one of the teachers in a conversation that I knew he was interested in: Teacher Unions. I also ate lunch in the teacher’s lounge today, even though yesterday I was (honestly) embarrassed because I felt as if they were laughing at me, but I didn’t know why. I went to school today with a different attitude. I decided to do whatever I could to make them like me. That means smiling A LOT, engaging them in conversation no matter how difficult, speaking their language as far as my knowledge will take me, and asking them questions about themselves as much as possible.
I’m even getting creative by making cards for all the teachers in celebration for World Teacher’s Day tomorrow (Friday). I plan to hand them out tomorrow, and I hope it doesn’t blow up in my face. But after inquiring about what they (the teachers) were doing for celebration, I found out they had no plans or activities. So the purpose of the cards is two folds: (1) show them I care by hand making cards for each one of them and (2) show them that I think they are important enough to have something special on a day of celebration for them. Well....and of course to make them like me :)
I had a successful session with Girls Club this week, which was a great motivation booster for me. On Wednesday I did a lesson on the Woman’s Body, specifically on the menstrual cycle. I had the girls popcorn read a story about two girls around their age. The girls are friends, and one explains the menstrual cycle to the other who experiences it for the first time. We then took a look at a picture of the female anatomy while I walked through, step-by-step, what happens every month for women. To conclude the lesson, the girls were split into groups and had to write down two questions they have about their bodies. One of the young women in the village, who also helps with the Girls Club, did the lesson with me so that she could translate for me when necessary. The questions the girls came up with were GREAT!!! However, me and my friend did have a difficult time answering some of them. We had some good laughs :) In the end I felt satisfied with the fact that even if they still did not completely understand the menstrual cycle, they ATLEAST have a better idea of what happens and why. And by the end of the session, I felt better in regards to interacting with the girls. I'm beginning to learn more of their names, but more importantly, I can actually pronunciation the one’s that were so difficult for me a week ago.
This week started off a bit rough, but ended on an upward slope. In Peace Corps, it’s the little success stories that keep us volunteers motivated about our projects and purpose of being here. I definitely experienced that this week.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
A Week In Review
My one main concern about leaving PST (Pre Service Training) was having too much down time, and I have to say this week, even though it was for a only few days, the down time had a scary effect on me. For the first time in a while, I was...LONELY! Even though I have a GREAT family here in my village, loneliness hit me full force in regards to missing some of my American friends.
This week was the inter-quarter break at all the schools, so all the students and teachers had a one week break, which meant (I thought) I’d have a great week of just hanging out. I spent Monday and Tuesday with other volunteers in my region, but Wednesday was when the magnitude of being in a rural area hit me pretty hard. I didn’t have easy access to a movie theater, bars, a concert hall, the beach, or any other leisure activity that I would normally fall back on in the States during school breaks.
It didn’t help that Wednesday night I heard the world’s most disgusting noise! Who would of thought a bug can make so much noise scurrying across your floor in the middle of the night. The sound was so loud it woke me up. I thought I was dreaming, but when I dozed off, I heard it again! Well, I had two choices: (1) get out my flashlight to look and see what animal was possibly making that noise or (2) wrap myself in the fetal position until morning and not get a wink of sleep.
I picked choice #1, and discovered the scurrying noise came from two huge roaches (at least I think they are roaches). I armed myself with my flashlight in one hand and my bug spray in the other and began the battle of killing the bugs w/o stepping on the floor (you know…in case there were more and they scurried towards me to protect their friends). I was victorious in the battle, but the bugs conquered me in another way. For the remainder of the night, I flinched at the slightest of noises. I slept MAYBE a total of two hours. I’ve been on edge every night since. I know I’ll calm down, but I keep waiting to hear that nasty/disgusting noise.
Today I went and bought Blue Death, an insect killer powder that has received raving reviews from other PCVs. I just sprinkle it around my “condo” and I should see no more ants and roaches.
I did have a pretty cool highlight on Thursday. I saw my first chicken slaughtered! My Mma Mokgolo (literal translation is “Big Mom”, but it really means my mother’s older sister who is by default my older mother, but actually my aunt) who lives next door sells chickens for people to slaughter and eat. She makes a pretty good living b/c I ALWAYS see people leaving her house swinging chicken(s) by their feet. She charges about R35 (equivalent to about $5) for each chicken. Pretty good price for a whole chicken if you ask me.
Anyway, my Mma (like an expert) held the chicken down by its feet and wings, and quickly sliced its neck. Umm….the chicken’s body being separated from its head didn’t seem to register with the chicken and it continued to jerk around for about 15 seconds as my mother continued to hold it down. I guess that’s where the saying comes from “running like a chicken with its head cut off” b/c if she didn’t hold the body down; it would still flap its wings around even though it was headless.
Then my sister placed the chicken (head included) in a bowl of boiling water. This allowed her to pluck all the feathers off real quick and with ease. After that, she washed the chicken several times to make sure all the feathers were gone. She took the feathers off the head as well, and removed the tongue.
Then my Mma cut up the chicken and cooked ALL the parts (minus certain innards) including the head, feet, intestines, gizzard, and of course the breast, thigh, wings, and legs. I tasted the end product and it was DELICIOUS. There’s nothing like fresh chicken. I haven’t been “gansta” enough to try chicken feet b/c…..well…..their feet. But I have taken a like’n to chicken intestines. Believe it or not, they are pretty tasty. They are cooked with a little salt and onions. Apparently my little sister (she’s 7) likes the head, so they always save that part for her.
I admire South Africans when it comes to slaughtering animals b/c they are not wasteful with ANY parts. The entire animal is eaten one way or another, and I believe that’s the way it was intended to be. My family, of course, would like me to slaughter the next chicken, but I told them baby steps. Let me first pluck the feathers and then MAYBE I can work my way up to the actual slitting of the throat.
That’s what I told them, but to be honest, I don’t think I have the guts (no pun intended) to actually kill a chicken. I feel bad enough killing roaches in my “condo”, how I can physically put a knife to an animal’s throat and go through with it. Mmpm...maybe I’ll become immune to the whole process...one day.
I went to a village soccer game Saturday. The Flying Bats, my village’s team, won by breaking the draw during the penalty kick round. I had a great time building up allegiance for the local Flying Bats. My host brother plays on the team, but had to sit out this game b/c of a red card earned in one of the last games. I think the Flying Bats move on to the semi-finals, but I’m not sure when they play. I never know when there is a game until it is actually being played :)
Today I’m laying low and spending time planning for a trip I’m taking with some friends during the Holiday Break and watching some DVDs. Till next time...
This week was the inter-quarter break at all the schools, so all the students and teachers had a one week break, which meant (I thought) I’d have a great week of just hanging out. I spent Monday and Tuesday with other volunteers in my region, but Wednesday was when the magnitude of being in a rural area hit me pretty hard. I didn’t have easy access to a movie theater, bars, a concert hall, the beach, or any other leisure activity that I would normally fall back on in the States during school breaks.
It didn’t help that Wednesday night I heard the world’s most disgusting noise! Who would of thought a bug can make so much noise scurrying across your floor in the middle of the night. The sound was so loud it woke me up. I thought I was dreaming, but when I dozed off, I heard it again! Well, I had two choices: (1) get out my flashlight to look and see what animal was possibly making that noise or (2) wrap myself in the fetal position until morning and not get a wink of sleep.
I picked choice #1, and discovered the scurrying noise came from two huge roaches (at least I think they are roaches). I armed myself with my flashlight in one hand and my bug spray in the other and began the battle of killing the bugs w/o stepping on the floor (you know…in case there were more and they scurried towards me to protect their friends). I was victorious in the battle, but the bugs conquered me in another way. For the remainder of the night, I flinched at the slightest of noises. I slept MAYBE a total of two hours. I’ve been on edge every night since. I know I’ll calm down, but I keep waiting to hear that nasty/disgusting noise.
Today I went and bought Blue Death, an insect killer powder that has received raving reviews from other PCVs. I just sprinkle it around my “condo” and I should see no more ants and roaches.
I did have a pretty cool highlight on Thursday. I saw my first chicken slaughtered! My Mma Mokgolo (literal translation is “Big Mom”, but it really means my mother’s older sister who is by default my older mother, but actually my aunt) who lives next door sells chickens for people to slaughter and eat. She makes a pretty good living b/c I ALWAYS see people leaving her house swinging chicken(s) by their feet. She charges about R35 (equivalent to about $5) for each chicken. Pretty good price for a whole chicken if you ask me.
Anyway, my Mma (like an expert) held the chicken down by its feet and wings, and quickly sliced its neck. Umm….the chicken’s body being separated from its head didn’t seem to register with the chicken and it continued to jerk around for about 15 seconds as my mother continued to hold it down. I guess that’s where the saying comes from “running like a chicken with its head cut off” b/c if she didn’t hold the body down; it would still flap its wings around even though it was headless.
Then my sister placed the chicken (head included) in a bowl of boiling water. This allowed her to pluck all the feathers off real quick and with ease. After that, she washed the chicken several times to make sure all the feathers were gone. She took the feathers off the head as well, and removed the tongue.
Then my Mma cut up the chicken and cooked ALL the parts (minus certain innards) including the head, feet, intestines, gizzard, and of course the breast, thigh, wings, and legs. I tasted the end product and it was DELICIOUS. There’s nothing like fresh chicken. I haven’t been “gansta” enough to try chicken feet b/c…..well…..their feet. But I have taken a like’n to chicken intestines. Believe it or not, they are pretty tasty. They are cooked with a little salt and onions. Apparently my little sister (she’s 7) likes the head, so they always save that part for her.
I admire South Africans when it comes to slaughtering animals b/c they are not wasteful with ANY parts. The entire animal is eaten one way or another, and I believe that’s the way it was intended to be. My family, of course, would like me to slaughter the next chicken, but I told them baby steps. Let me first pluck the feathers and then MAYBE I can work my way up to the actual slitting of the throat.
That’s what I told them, but to be honest, I don’t think I have the guts (no pun intended) to actually kill a chicken. I feel bad enough killing roaches in my “condo”, how I can physically put a knife to an animal’s throat and go through with it. Mmpm...maybe I’ll become immune to the whole process...one day.
I went to a village soccer game Saturday. The Flying Bats, my village’s team, won by breaking the draw during the penalty kick round. I had a great time building up allegiance for the local Flying Bats. My host brother plays on the team, but had to sit out this game b/c of a red card earned in one of the last games. I think the Flying Bats move on to the semi-finals, but I’m not sure when they play. I never know when there is a game until it is actually being played :)
Today I’m laying low and spending time planning for a trip I’m taking with some friends during the Holiday Break and watching some DVDs. Till next time...
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