Off Time

Yesterday I posted about the typical day at Rift Valley Children’s Village. Today isn’t a typical day.  Sundays are volunteers’ free days.  There are 7 of us who left this morning for Gibbs Farm—a quiet, beautiful and peaceful safari lodge. We’re all relaxing, using Wi-Fi J, talking, and reading.  Saturday night we all went to a tented camp to have happy hour around a fire.  We celebrated Chris’ birthday. (Chris is a volunteer.)  We had a group of 20 because there were some visitors in for the weekend.  Right now there are 8 volunteers, but five of them will be leaving within the week. Fortunately, 4 more will be joining on Friday.

A Masai  lighting our fire for Chris' birthday celebration

View from Gibbs Farm (Day off)

Gibbs Farm

I posted yesterday about working with the Standard 3 and 5 students.  I showed the kids Shaker Heights on a map and explained what I teach.  The students worked in pairs or trios to draw and write about their favorite African animals.  I have the pictures to bring back to school!  Afterwards, the students inquired into various animals.  (Even in Tanzania I’m managing to use IB language!)  The morning ended with an enticing game of Red Rover.  At first I only had 9 kids playing—but at the end there were over 20.  I got some serious grass stains during this game!

Students from Standards 3 and 5

Every Thursday the volunteers eat in the houses with the kids.  The mommas make chapati, which is delicious bread, with beans and spinach and carrots.  I was worried about eating the food, but it was delicious!! This was our 3^rd day in the house, and the girls were really testing the limit.  I finally pulled out the “TEACHER” card and made the expectations and consequences crystal clear.  I ended up using my classic “TEACHER FREEZE” with the kids.  Monica was shocked and later told me that she had never been more proud of me.  Since then, the girls have been in better control. After dinner I read some bedtime stories.

TEACHER FREEZE! :)

Story time after dinner-Notice I need a head lamp to read.

On Wednesday or Thursday (I can’t remember which day—they all blend together), I walked through a local village, Camp Nairobi, which is about a 5-minute walk away from RVCV.  It was shocking to see the shelters, water, garbage, and animals.  Some kids in this village are supported by RVCV—providing clothes, food, and education. These children LOVE to get their picture taken and desperately want to see pictures on the camera.  They say, “Show please,” while flashing a charming smile.  There aren’t any mirrors in this village, so the kids only see themselves through volunteers’ cameras.

Local Water Hole

 
     

Water Buckets

                                      
                           
Also on Wednesday or Thursday, I toured Gyetighi Primary School. This is a local school, which is greatly funded by RVCV and partly funded by the Tanzanian government.  The school-aged children at RVCV attend this school, as do local children IF their parents can afford the fees, uniforms, and supplies.  The school structure here seems to be set up for failure.  School is required for Standards 1-7, but I use the word “required” loosely.   There is no check-up on kids who don’t attend; and many families make less than $200/year—which is about how much fees, uniforms, and supplies cost.  School is taught in Swahili, except for English classes.  Students must pass a big test (in English) after Standard 7.  Secondary school is much more expensive and is taught in only English. Many students who pass the test aren’t familiar with English, so they suffer in secondary school.  Like I said above, the system seems to set students up for failure.  A big part of my job at RVCV is to help teach and communicate with the children in English. I hope to visit a school in Karatu (the largest town around, about 45 minutes away) with another teacher volunteer. We want to see the instruction and learning in action.  The tour of Gyetighi Primary School took place during recess/break time.

Teacher's Office