Wednesday, March 10, 2010

So, on to Day Two of volunteering. Again, Nancy is in R-1 with Tobecka while Anita and Judy are co-teaching grade 2-3. Jackie is working with Lola in grade 4. For the first time, Abigail and Kathy were transported to Mdumbi School where they observed 8th grade Social Science and now need to prepare lessons on sustainability and technology, and settlements. They really enjoyed their time there and Mr. Momosa was very welcoming to them. Following too short a nap and recovery from an 8-2 day, the high school kids arrived for help and discussion, then the younger ones arrived for songs, games, jump rope, ball playing and letting off steam. I believe we are feeling more at ease with our situations knowing we are contributing immensely in the lives of these students. Some are so very bright and articulate while others are falling behind in a larger group.

I particularly enjoyed the breaks and lunch time! Watching the 10 a.m. break outside our classroom with lots of kids crouching against the building eating pappab and a gravy from their boxes they have brought in their backpacks. Another group was fed at noon and this group enjoyed just large pieces of bread. After each feast, the sheep and a lone dog gob bled up the leftovers. Lots of wildlife – well, not so wild – on the school grounds – a beautiful gang of multicolored goats arrived which the children loved to scamper after, cameras will be brought each day for me. So many opportunities to capture life in Malungeni. Mom and Grandma walking their little girl to preschool, Mom balancing a large water bottle on her head while child drank from a quite sophisticated one herself. We met cattle and sheep being driven to their grazing lands while the ducks squalk and strut at the pond. Mr. Ndumiso came for a formal dinner in the dining room and charged us with visiting the Chief for a meeting on a weekend to help him understand the need to instill a love of education if ever Malungeni is to rise up from poverty. He was most enlightening and forthright. What a remarkable Day 4!

Message of the Day: Always is never true; Never is always false. The Gift of Time.

By Anita