“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”
I can’t believe it’s already mid-march and I’ve been in Mozambique almost 6 months. For some reason, it doesn’t feel like it’s been as long, especially when compared to how I felt being in France for 6 months. Maybe it’s because I’m only in my 4th week of teaching…
Teaching has been going well. The IFP and the secondary school are two completely different worlds though. As I said, I have 83 students in each of my classes at the secondary school, both classes with multiple students with learning disabilities. They are in a room with windows that don’t close all the way and only a blackboard, which is hard because the students’ learning depends on them copying down what I write correctly. I do not have access to a copier, so all of my tests must be written out on the blackboard. While I am writing them, I am also trying to check to make sure my students are not cheating off each other, as they are crammed 3 into a desk made for 2. Today I gave an exam. Out of all my students, I gave 27 zeros for cheating. At the same time, I think I am a different kind of teacher for them: I allow them to make up half the credit by rewriting the test with correct answers, I try to get them involved in activities that get them moving, and I show up to class 100% of the time, unlike some Mozambican teachers. I’ve also started a French Club of sorts. I sit at the library on Monday and Friday afternoons and invited my students to come with questions or just to study or practice speaking french. Surprisingly, I’ve had a good amount of students show up! Granted, a good amount is about 20 out of my 166 students, but still!
An activity I did to teach my students body parts
Part of my French Club (they got really excited to learn I could put their picture on the internet)
At the IFP, my teaching situation is completely different. I have only one class of 33 students. All are respectful, and most are eager to learn. I have a VERY wide level of ability in my class, but the students all do their work and copy down the information when asked. They are also a bit older and more mature (in general), so it is possible to have a more easy-going manner in class. While I can’t print/copy, I do have access to a document camera and a smartboard. I have not yet tried giving a test, but I hope there will be less cheating… I am quite enjoying teaching though!
I’ve also started a JUNTOS group, or a group focused on educating youth in HIV/AIDS, other health topics, staying in school and education, and using community resources through a medium of art. We have not had any lessons or lectures yet, but we’ve gotten a group of kids together and actually had a lot who showed up! We played games, got to know each other, and introduced the objectives of the group. It was a bit difficult, especially since many of the kids are still learning Portuguese (they speak the local language, Macua), but I’m excited to see where the group goes!
First JUNTOS group meeting
Games at our JUNTOS meeting
Last weekend we celebrated Caitlin’s birthday, AKA the Festa de Cátia. The day started out with some of our crianças bringing her a “cake,” which was really a sheet of ice decorated with flower petals. They also brought her flowers and a bracelet, and helped us decorate our wall. We had a nice relaxing day at home, then headed into town for dinner at Nelley’s house, a French girl who lives in Cuamba. It was a lot of fun (though we did make a lot of pasta…) and after we went to our one “discoteca” in town. It was a fun night!
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Festa de Catia dinner
The other big news is that yesterday we got a cat! We inherited him from Alexis, one of the other volunteers in Niassa who will be leaving in a few months. His name is Willie. He ranges from being super cuddly to scratching us… but we’re hoping he warms up to us soon! He also spends most of our time either in our bathroom or outside where we let him roam around… he found his way back though, so that’s a good sign! I’ve never owned a cat before. I’ve definitely confirmed that I prefer dogs, but I’m sure I’ll warm up to him soon!
Portuguese word of the day: Bastante (enough)
French word of the day: Mes cheveux (my hair): for some reason my students can’t remember this…
Macua word of the day: Omwene (king)
TED Talk of the day (back thanks to Caitlin for giving me lots of downloaded TED Talks): http://www.ted.com/talks/rita_pierson_every_kid_needs_a_champion
le monde inspire 