Education: 9-14

Another early morning. Today Julie and I checked out the education department. Mom would have loved it. We talked to the head teacher briefly and he took us on a tour of all the classrooms. I got to hang out with a 2^nd grade teacher.

The dynamics in the classroom were very different from the States. Everything was much more chaotic, but it totally worked. My teacher’s name was Charub. She was super cool and very engaging with her students. They began class with a few songs, did some multiplication tables aloud, and then counted. The songs allow the students to dance or act things out. It was neat to see music so smoothly incorporated.

The lesson for today I was sitting in on was math! I was pretty pumped. She went over addition of two or more numbers. We were adding up our purchases and everything is in shillings and cents. After her lesson with examples the class was assigned 6 problems to work out in their workbooks. When they were finished they raised their hands and I went around and graded their work.

Next I got to watch their Kiswahili lesson. They learn how to read and write it (like English in the states). Charub was so accommodating; she actually taught me as well.  I took notes.

Next I got to go to a preschool class. The kids were SO cute! The adorable factor was almost unbearable. They were also learning some math (how to add simple numbers). Next the kids sang some songs for me. They the teacher opened up the floor for them to come up and tell a story to the class. This is an amazing concept because it helps build their self-confidence and self-esteem. All eyes are on them and then the class claps for them afterwards. The teacher said that this helps the kids who are lower class get a chance to build some confidence. (Yes, even slums have classes.)

Finally came my favorite part. Each preschooler got the chance to get up and sing a song. The whole class would join in. We all danced and sang and partied it up. I had such a blast with all the kids.

It was so weird that all of the kids in these classrooms are living in the slum just outside the school. In class, they just seem like students. I am amazed at the ability of kids to be kids regardless of their socioeconomic situation. In every class there is the super bright student, the ham, and the shy one. And they really are adorable. They THRIVE on any attention I give them. My face hurts from the constant smiling I did all day. I made eye contact and smiled at every kid when I got the chance.

Unfortunately, I had to eventually leave to go to lunch with the other teachers. We had ugali and greens. I rolled into the office and they had a plate of ugali for me that was basically filled. There is NO way I could ever eat that much, let alone that much ugali. I put some back (awkwardly) and got some spinach. It was kind of hard to eat. Finally some stew was brought and that helped, but only some.

In the afternoon Julie and I met up and sat in on a 5^th grade class. We listened to another Swahili lesson. Afterwards we listened to a science lesson on how matter expands when it is heated and contracts when it is cooled. It was pretty rad. Stanly (the head teacher) said that they have to improvise with the equipment for experiments and they use small fires instead of Bunsen burners and Coke bottles instead of test tubes.

To finish off the work day, we went to a party for one of the staff members and ate cake and danced. (I’m pretty sure it would rock to work here.) Eventually 4:00 came and went (we didn’t have a ride again.) Julius came to pick us up around 5:20.

I decided to go with Justine to pick up Leann from the airport. So, Julius dropped Julie off at the Kamau’s and we went to the Ham’s to pick up Faith and Justine. We took Faith back to her house and then went to the airport. Justine and I had a great conversation on the drive over and she bought me coffee in the airport. She is super cool. We got Leann and she will be a lot of fun. I am looking forward to getting to know her more.

So gross story: For the last few days my snot has been black due to all the dust and pollution I have inhaled. I feel really bad for my respiratory system.