Sunday, January 20, 2008
Almost Forgot
We both read The Glass Castle : A Memoir (Jeannette Walls)
So back during our site visit Kristy convinced the children in the village, who like to stop by, to gather random pieces of plastic from the bush (there's a lot of trash laying around). They made their homemade footballs (soccer balls) out of the plastic bags. It's the number one brand of football here in Malawi. In the education field we have an acronym for that: TALULAR (teaching and learning using locally available resources).
So back during our site visit Kristy convinced the children in the village, who like to stop by, to gather random pieces of plastic from the bush (there's a lot of trash laying around). They made their homemade footballs (soccer balls) out of the plastic bags. It's the number one brand of football here in Malawi. In the education field we have an acronym for that: TALULAR (teaching and learning using locally available resources).
Saturday, January 19, 2008
School Supplies
A few different people and groups have asked me what kinds of things we might need in Malawi. Up until now, I wasn't sure what our school would need. Now that we have been able to assess at least the immediate needs, I do have a few requests.
As in the previous blog, I mentioned I would like to start an art club, so here are some supplies I am looking for:
Crayola Markers
Crayola Crayons
Crayola Watercolors
Pencils
Erasers
Paper- Any kind, white, colored, used...
Elmer's Glue-All
Clear Packaging Tape
Fat Permanent Markers
Rubber Stamps and Ink (for marking student work)
Any Craft Supplies
Brian just added "electricity and a laminater"....ha! Then I'll add "computers"! (By the way for all of you veteran teachers you will appreciate that we have a carbon duplicating machine, it is broken but is still a prized possession)
I have to admit that I am a little hesitant to even ask for these things as donations because Peace Corps tries to shy away from just giving out money and things. We are really here to transfer our skills, which is much more sustainable than donations. There is definitly a culture of hand-outs here which can be frustrating for us, as Westerners, represent wealth, but we are trying not to throw money at the problems. That being said, I hope everyone understands our intentions.
As for our personal needs, the most important thing to us is hearing from people in some form. We can't express how much we appreciate letters, pictures, emails, etc. Of course we miss so many material things from home, but we miss people the most. Cheesy I know...Anyway, thank you so much again for all the Christmas cards and packages. When we came to Lilongwe this weekend we were totally overwhelmed with the mail waiting for us. Thank you Thank you Thank you!
As in the previous blog, I mentioned I would like to start an art club, so here are some supplies I am looking for:
Crayola Markers
Crayola Crayons
Crayola Watercolors
Pencils
Erasers
Paper- Any kind, white, colored, used...
Elmer's Glue-All
Clear Packaging Tape
Fat Permanent Markers
Rubber Stamps and Ink (for marking student work)
Any Craft Supplies
Brian just added "electricity and a laminater"....ha! Then I'll add "computers"! (By the way for all of you veteran teachers you will appreciate that we have a carbon duplicating machine, it is broken but is still a prized possession)
I have to admit that I am a little hesitant to even ask for these things as donations because Peace Corps tries to shy away from just giving out money and things. We are really here to transfer our skills, which is much more sustainable than donations. There is definitly a culture of hand-outs here which can be frustrating for us, as Westerners, represent wealth, but we are trying not to throw money at the problems. That being said, I hope everyone understands our intentions.
As for our personal needs, the most important thing to us is hearing from people in some form. We can't express how much we appreciate letters, pictures, emails, etc. Of course we miss so many material things from home, but we miss people the most. Cheesy I know...Anyway, thank you so much again for all the Christmas cards and packages. When we came to Lilongwe this weekend we were totally overwhelmed with the mail waiting for us. Thank you Thank you Thank you!
Books
Our nephew Max called just to say hello today. Way to go, Max!
Books have become our source of entertainment since we don't have electricity and the perks that go with it, i.e. TV (the story of Bene's new 60' one is already legendary in Malawi), DVD's, Guitar Hero or what's replaced it as the new hot item by now. So here's what we've read so far:
Brian: Night (Elie Weisel) The World Is Flat (Thomas Friedman) Gods and Generals (Jeff Shaara) The Vikings ((of Medieval times, that is)can't remember author's name)Newsweek Magazines provided by USAID. Currently I'm reading Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West (Stephen Ambrose)
Kristy: Night and Dawn (Elie Weisel) Reading Lolita in Tehran (Azar Nafisi), Dear Exile : The True Story of Two Friends Separated (for a Year) by an Ocean (Hilary Liftin and Kate Montgomery). Currently Kristy is reading The Tapestries: A Novel (Kien Nguyen).
Books have become our source of entertainment since we don't have electricity and the perks that go with it, i.e. TV (the story of Bene's new 60' one is already legendary in Malawi), DVD's, Guitar Hero or what's replaced it as the new hot item by now. So here's what we've read so far:
Brian: Night (Elie Weisel) The World Is Flat (Thomas Friedman) Gods and Generals (Jeff Shaara) The Vikings ((of Medieval times, that is)can't remember author's name)Newsweek Magazines provided by USAID. Currently I'm reading Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West (Stephen Ambrose)
Kristy: Night and Dawn (Elie Weisel) Reading Lolita in Tehran (Azar Nafisi), Dear Exile : The True Story of Two Friends Separated (for a Year) by an Ocean (Hilary Liftin and Kate Montgomery). Currently Kristy is reading The Tapestries: A Novel (Kien Nguyen).
Back to School
Finally, after a 7 month break from full time teaching we are back at it! This school year is a little different than the last. The first day of school was January 7th. Let's just say things move a little slower here. In America the first day of school is totally crazy. Teachers are all stressed out making sure their classrooms are all set up and lessons planned.
Here, about 10 percent of the students show up and about 80 percent of the teachers. On the first day our headmaster and deputy headmaster looked at eachother and passivly discussed whether or not they should go talk to the few kids that were waiting outside the classroom. When it was decided that we would hold an "assembly" they told them to clean the classrooms and not to bully the new Form 1 students (freshman). Slowly the students have been arriving the last couple weeks. We are still waiting for official class lists though. Each Form will present its own challenges. In Form 1, we have just a few desks and about 50 students. Also, they don't really understand much of what I say. I even tried using Chichewa a few times (bad news if my Chichewa is better than some of their English as all of secondary school is taught in English). Form 2 has more like 90-100 students! They have desks, but God help us if there is a fire in that classroom because you can barely squeeze between them. The Form 3s and 4s have smaller class sizes because a lot of the students have been weeded out. They, unfortunately like the other Forms have little to know books. Brian has about 10 books for his English classes and I have none for social studies. I think social studies is a little easier to teach without books, but still a challenge to vary our teaching methods. The students are still not sure what to make of us with our different style from the Malawian teachers. They basically copy notes from the text on the board and let the students copy them in their notebooks. Nevermind comprehension!
I should highlight some of the nice things about teaching here. First of all, going to work has a whole new meaning. For me, going to work here means I actually have something to do that day, which actually provides some sanity. Also, my students have yet to disrespect me (I am sure it will come). When we walk in the room they stand. When they come into the teachers' office they kneel at your desk when asking you for something. Also, my courseload is much lighter here. I actually feel less stressed by my job here than I did in America. Pretty amazing considering the circumstanes.
I am looking forward to starting an art club soon. I told my students that I wanted to start one and they seem really excited. Some boys have already brought drawings over to our house. Brian is also one of the sports masters at the school, so that should be enjoyable.
Well, that is all for this post. Think of us in that sub-zero weather. When it is not raining we are still sweating bullets.
Miss you all!
Here, about 10 percent of the students show up and about 80 percent of the teachers. On the first day our headmaster and deputy headmaster looked at eachother and passivly discussed whether or not they should go talk to the few kids that were waiting outside the classroom. When it was decided that we would hold an "assembly" they told them to clean the classrooms and not to bully the new Form 1 students (freshman). Slowly the students have been arriving the last couple weeks. We are still waiting for official class lists though. Each Form will present its own challenges. In Form 1, we have just a few desks and about 50 students. Also, they don't really understand much of what I say. I even tried using Chichewa a few times (bad news if my Chichewa is better than some of their English as all of secondary school is taught in English). Form 2 has more like 90-100 students! They have desks, but God help us if there is a fire in that classroom because you can barely squeeze between them. The Form 3s and 4s have smaller class sizes because a lot of the students have been weeded out. They, unfortunately like the other Forms have little to know books. Brian has about 10 books for his English classes and I have none for social studies. I think social studies is a little easier to teach without books, but still a challenge to vary our teaching methods. The students are still not sure what to make of us with our different style from the Malawian teachers. They basically copy notes from the text on the board and let the students copy them in their notebooks. Nevermind comprehension!
I should highlight some of the nice things about teaching here. First of all, going to work has a whole new meaning. For me, going to work here means I actually have something to do that day, which actually provides some sanity. Also, my students have yet to disrespect me (I am sure it will come). When we walk in the room they stand. When they come into the teachers' office they kneel at your desk when asking you for something. Also, my courseload is much lighter here. I actually feel less stressed by my job here than I did in America. Pretty amazing considering the circumstanes.
I am looking forward to starting an art club soon. I told my students that I wanted to start one and they seem really excited. Some boys have already brought drawings over to our house. Brian is also one of the sports masters at the school, so that should be enjoyable.
Well, that is all for this post. Think of us in that sub-zero weather. When it is not raining we are still sweating bullets.
Miss you all!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Wrapping up the Holidays!
We are heading back to our site today after 9 days of traveling for the holidays. We had a really nice Christmas at Nkhotakota Pottery with some friends. We swam all day and splurged on a feast of Western entrees for dinner. The day after Christmas we headed up the lake shore and stayed at a place called Kande Beach. Again the weather was nice and we spent most of our time swimming, playing beach volleyball with fellow PCVs. On the 29th we headed to Mzuzu to spend New Years. Peace Corps has a respite house there for volunteers. Brian and I went to the Tanzanian Market to buy some fabric, etc. It was kind of our Christmas presents to each other. I got a dress and we are going to have a shirt made for Brian. We came back south through Lilongwe yesterday and decided to stay one more night to check email and get our mail today. It was a good decision as we had some Christmas packages waiting for us when the office opened this morning! (A big thank you to those who sent them!) I also found out that I have an ear infection. Not a real bad one, but the doctor gave me drops. I am guessing it is from swimming so much.
Oh yes, we need to give a little shout out to our friends, Fritz and Julia, who got engaged!! Congratulations!
P.S. We are 8 hours ahead of Central Standard Time.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Phone Call Anyone?
Just in case anyone was thinking of calling (hint hint), here are some cheap ways that our friends' friends and family have been calling.
http://www.jajah.com/
http://www.skype.com/intl/en/
http://www.onesweet.com/
http://www.jajah.com/
http://www.skype.com/intl/en/
http://www.onesweet.com/
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