End of the 4th week in Rau
Can’t believe it is the end of another week in Rau. The individual days seem to last forever, but the weeks zip by.
This week the new volunteers started with us. It is an odd dynamic that has formed between the Art Therapy group and the rest of the volunteers. They have their own agenda, and it is hard to really feel positive about it after being here a while. Agendas go out the window quickly when you see what the people deal with daily. You really have to go with the flow and work according to what the daily needs are. Two new volunteers had a serious discussion about file folders and how they need to find them. They agreed that they are doing the children a serious injustice if they are not organizing their art well into folders. Others panicked because they didn’t have glue sticks. It is difficult to sympathize with them. Soon after arriving here something that strikes everyone is the resourcefulness of the kids and adults here. There are kids that have never owned a crayon… somehow I don’t think they will miss the damn folders. It will be interesting to see how it goes.
The week at Kilimehewa was up and down. We had a vocabulary test on parts of the body and the kids cheated so much that I didn’t even mark them. One kid Godwin, was looking on his neighbour’s paper, and after I busted him and gave him a warning I busted him again big time. He was wearing a white button down shirt and had written all of the words on the inside of the bottom of the front of his shirt!! I had Dismas, the local volunteer teacher translate a scolding to the class. It was all very dramatic, but I am hoping it did the trick!!! I learned my lesson… it was too soon for a test and I should have known it. Oh well, live and learn.
A few kids from the advanced class asked if we could have debates, which was a surprise to me. They suggested “city vs. rural” as a possible debate topic and were really excited when I agreed to do it. I’m nervous about how this will go, but hey, if they are interested in trying it out, I’ll do it. Today we did some practice sentences “I believe that…because…”; “I think that…because”; “I prefer…because…” etc. They all want to jump to the debate but really struggle reasoning in English. We agreed today that we would spend next week working on it and the great debate will be on next Friday. I am bringing a bunch of volunteers with me for a special “conversation class” on Monday evening. The class will come and we will break into small groups and have conversations about the debate topics. They seriously need practice talking, so hopefully it will work well. They are excited to come, so crossing my fingers that it will work out.
The base is quite empty this weekend as everyone is on safari. Chris and I are going to a “fancy” hotel with a pool in Moshi tomorrow to get away from here for a night. Looking forward to it.
Other than that, not a lot of news. Missing you all and feel very very far away.
xoxoxoxo
Paula
August 17 2007 04:01 pm | Tanzania
August 19th, 2007 at 2:20 am
Keep up the good work Paula, your a star. jo x
August 20th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
Hi Guys,e are so glad that you are havng a good time.we are so proud of you both,we are always telling our friends as to what you are doing and how you two are making a difference.Everything ok here,we miss you both alot.take care,love Bonnie and dad oxo
August 21st, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Paula and Chris Your updates and photos are fantastic.Like Chris-s dad we tell everyone we meet about what you two are doing.Everyone wishes they could be you.Keep up the good work, and enjoy the rest of your trip.