You can now call us teachers. This week we both began our official teaching careers, granted a little sooner than expected. Monday morning Mr. Banda, the school’s headmaster greeted us and promptly informed us that he had a morning meeting and we would be teaching his class. The morning was a bit scary but the rest of the week went really well (hopefully the students agree). We’re teaching Standard 7, which is the equivalent to 7th grade in the US; Melissa is teaching English and I’m teaching Math. It’s been a fascinating first week. The classrooms are overcrowded and short of supplies but many of the children show an incredible desire to learn. Just like the classes at home there are the star students and those who struggle, those who raise their hands every time and those who hope the teacher never sees them and of course those who try to copy from their friends when the teacher isn’t looking. The highlight of our first week was during Mr. Banda’s science class when there was a debate with a student about some of the characteristics of a duck. Without hesitating Mr. Banda gave a student instructions in Chichewa and minutes later the student returned holding a live duck that Mr. Banda used to answer the questions (see picture above). We were both amazed and very amused.
Friday of this week was an “open-day” at school where all parents were invited to see the school and some performances by the children. The goal was to increase involvement of the parents and to raise money for the school. The parents came pretty late and not in the numbers the school had hoped for but Mr. Banda called the day a success. For us this day was another chance to see how much work there is to do to make education a real priority within the community. The students performed several songs and dances, I took a lot of video, some of which we’ll hopefully be able to post soon. In the meantime we are posting a couple of pictures here.
The final highlight of the week came Friday afternoon when Melissa and Leora arrived and of course they were short one bag. Since their arrival they have been learning the ropes around here. In fact, their first day they taught Saturday classes with resounding success. Trial by fire would definitely be the theme of their first days here in Malawi. Both Melissa and Leora learned Malawian dances with the older girls and played tons of Bar and Mat Mitzvah games that we totally brought back from the dead, chicken dance ring a bell? Anyway the kids loved it and we had a blast.
Friday of this week was an “open-day” at school where all parents were invited to see the school and some performances by the children. The goal was to increase involvement of the parents and to raise money for the school. The parents came pretty late and not in the numbers the school had hoped for but Mr. Banda called the day a success. For us this day was another chance to see how much work there is to do to make education a real priority within the community. The students performed several songs and dances, I took a lot of video, some of which we’ll hopefully be able to post soon. In the meantime we are posting a couple of pictures here.
The final highlight of the week came Friday afternoon when Melissa and Leora arrived and of course they were short one bag. Since their arrival they have been learning the ropes around here. In fact, their first day they taught Saturday classes with resounding success. Trial by fire would definitely be the theme of their first days here in Malawi. Both Melissa and Leora learned Malawian dances with the older girls and played tons of Bar and Mat Mitzvah games that we totally brought back from the dead, chicken dance ring a bell? Anyway the kids loved it and we had a blast.
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