On the first day of school, I had my Form 3 English Class write me an essay (I know I'm one of those terrible teachers who gives an essay on the first day) telling me about themselves, their homes, their interests, their families, their goals, etc. I received many papers explaining to me (in broken English) conditions of poverty, life as an orphan and other daily problems. But each and every one also informed me (in broken English) of the importance of secondary school and of working hard in order to become nurses, soldiers, drivers, teachers, Members of Parliament, and even the President of Malawi some day.
I'm humbled by my students and what they are doing and hope to one day accomplish. I'm quite sure that I will learn as much, if not more, from them as they will from me.
As I noted above, my student's English skills are not very strong. Though they've been taught English since the last few years of primary school, it's very difficult for them as they haven't had enough practice and exposure to English in school and at home.
Unfortunately this means that many of them, especially those in Form 1 have a very difficult time understanding me. I'm trying to find ways to get around this as much as possible. I'm speaking very slowly in class and taking time to explain things as simply and thoroughly as I can. I've also let them know that they can ask me questions in both English and Chichewa after class. When possible I try to use some Chichewan words in the classroom as well.
Despite our difficulties in understanding one another, I have to say that I already really like my students and I know that I'm going to enjoy teaching them very much. They're all very eager to learn, listen, and participate in class. Even the female students who are fewer in number than males and typically much shyer, are becoming more and more comfortable each day to ask me questions both in and out of classroom.
As I begin to get a better feel for my classes and teaching, I'll be sure to post more thoughts and experiences as well as pictures of my students soon!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
A Day in Ntchisi
My day begins around 4:30am, I crawl out of bed around 5:00 and greet my watchman who's been up for who knows how long sweeping, splitting firewood, rolling himself cigarettes, etc.
I start a fire for a breakfast of tea and rice or maybe peanut butter and banana sandwiches. After doing so, I make a trip to fill a water bucket for the day which now, I am proud to say, I am carrying back on my head every time, completely full.
Now that school's begun, I leave my house a few minutes before 7:00 to greet my neighbors and head to school. The classes I teach vary from day to day but usually I have 4-5, 40 minute periods throughout. The students are expected to be at school at 7:15 as classes begin at 7:30.
When I'm not in class, I'm either in the library or the staffroom chatting and writing lesson plans. I'm getting to know the other teachers quite well. They're all very nice and many are very dedicated, good teachers who really care about their students. Most of them live on or near the school grounds, but a few travel to work by bike or matola (minibus).
The school day ends at 2:00pm, but I usually stay until 5:00 or so watching them play sports, answering questions on a variety of topics (both school related and not), helping them in the library or checking on the girls who stay at the school.
When I leave for the day I'm greeted by my circle of primary school friends to dance, sing, color, and learn. As they leave I begin to make my dinner, usually consisting of pasta, rice or nsima and vegetables and/or beans. (I try and make sure to cook enough food to feed my watchman as well, who shows up around 5:30pm every evening.)
While dinner is cooking, I spend some time chatting with my neighbors, the primary school teachers who live nearby and most days head for another bucket of water as well.
After a warm bucket bath, I light a candle, settle into my mosquito net and either write letters or read until going to sleep, sometime after 8:00pm.
As far as the weekends go, my activities have definitely been variable. Sometimes I'm in one of the villages getting to know the women and children, chatting and discovering how they work and live. Some days I walk to the market by myself or with some of the younger teachers to buy vegetables or just to socialize.
Often times I find my coloring circle friends smiling at my door ready to play and draw pictures. Other times, I find myself at the school as students have shown up to use the library, to study, etc. On Sunday mornings, I attend church with my head teacher's wife and sons.
I also use my weekends to make time for household chores like laundry, mopping my house, etc. After doing so, I make time to take a nice bike ride or go for a good long walk. My absolute favorite weekend activity has been sitting under the big tree in my backyard, book in hand and ipod on.
I hope that helps in giving you a better sense of what it's been like living in Malawi. My days are simple and sometimes challenging, but always rewarding and full of smiling faces and good conversation.
Kuno ku Malawi. Here in Malawi.
I start a fire for a breakfast of tea and rice or maybe peanut butter and banana sandwiches. After doing so, I make a trip to fill a water bucket for the day which now, I am proud to say, I am carrying back on my head every time, completely full.
Now that school's begun, I leave my house a few minutes before 7:00 to greet my neighbors and head to school. The classes I teach vary from day to day but usually I have 4-5, 40 minute periods throughout. The students are expected to be at school at 7:15 as classes begin at 7:30.
When I'm not in class, I'm either in the library or the staffroom chatting and writing lesson plans. I'm getting to know the other teachers quite well. They're all very nice and many are very dedicated, good teachers who really care about their students. Most of them live on or near the school grounds, but a few travel to work by bike or matola (minibus).
The school day ends at 2:00pm, but I usually stay until 5:00 or so watching them play sports, answering questions on a variety of topics (both school related and not), helping them in the library or checking on the girls who stay at the school.
When I leave for the day I'm greeted by my circle of primary school friends to dance, sing, color, and learn. As they leave I begin to make my dinner, usually consisting of pasta, rice or nsima and vegetables and/or beans. (I try and make sure to cook enough food to feed my watchman as well, who shows up around 5:30pm every evening.)
While dinner is cooking, I spend some time chatting with my neighbors, the primary school teachers who live nearby and most days head for another bucket of water as well.
After a warm bucket bath, I light a candle, settle into my mosquito net and either write letters or read until going to sleep, sometime after 8:00pm.
As far as the weekends go, my activities have definitely been variable. Sometimes I'm in one of the villages getting to know the women and children, chatting and discovering how they work and live. Some days I walk to the market by myself or with some of the younger teachers to buy vegetables or just to socialize.
Often times I find my coloring circle friends smiling at my door ready to play and draw pictures. Other times, I find myself at the school as students have shown up to use the library, to study, etc. On Sunday mornings, I attend church with my head teacher's wife and sons.
I also use my weekends to make time for household chores like laundry, mopping my house, etc. After doing so, I make time to take a nice bike ride or go for a good long walk. My absolute favorite weekend activity has been sitting under the big tree in my backyard, book in hand and ipod on.
I hope that helps in giving you a better sense of what it's been like living in Malawi. My days are simple and sometimes challenging, but always rewarding and full of smiling faces and good conversation.
Kuno ku Malawi. Here in Malawi.
My After School Coloring Circle
Upon returning home from school each day, I'm greeted by a dozen or so of the other teachers' children waiting at my door. They're all wonderfully mannered and eagerly waiting to color, play, learn, sing songs and dance with Miss Kelly.
Their ages range widely from 1 and a half (Arnold) to 12 (Harisi). I give them each a piece of paper and spread out crayons to be shared on a mat outside my house or inside if it's raining. We draw pictures of ourselves, objects outside in the yard, etc. The younger children practice writing their names, numbers, and ABCs from templates I've written, while the older ones copy the simple English sentences I give them.
They're terribly sweet and want to help me practice my Chichewa as much as I want to help them practice their English! They stay until it begins to get dark and refuse to leave until I've checked each of their papers with my red pen and have written "VERY GOOD" at the top.
Sometimes they offer to sweep my house, fetch my water, and bring me vegetables and leaves from their gardens. In return, I like to treat them with small candies that either I've bought in town or have received from home like Life Savers, Jolly Ranchers, etc.
I've uploaded a few pictures of them, so you can get a better idea of how I spend my late afternoons.
Their ages range widely from 1 and a half (Arnold) to 12 (Harisi). I give them each a piece of paper and spread out crayons to be shared on a mat outside my house or inside if it's raining. We draw pictures of ourselves, objects outside in the yard, etc. The younger children practice writing their names, numbers, and ABCs from templates I've written, while the older ones copy the simple English sentences I give them.
They're terribly sweet and want to help me practice my Chichewa as much as I want to help them practice their English! They stay until it begins to get dark and refuse to leave until I've checked each of their papers with my red pen and have written "VERY GOOD" at the top.
Sometimes they offer to sweep my house, fetch my water, and bring me vegetables and leaves from their gardens. In return, I like to treat them with small candies that either I've bought in town or have received from home like Life Savers, Jolly Ranchers, etc.
I've uploaded a few pictures of them, so you can get a better idea of how I spend my late afternoons.
Responsibilities at School
The Malawian school year's officially started. I've begun teaching and all of my other responsibilities at the school. I'm most definitely going to be busy this year, but if you know me, you know I wouldn't have it any other way.
Here's what I'm teaching:
Physical Science - Form 1
Biology - Form 2
Biology - Form 3
English - Form 3
Life Skills - Forms 1-4
The other responsibilities I've been given:
Here's what I'm teaching:
Physical Science - Form 1
Biology - Form 2
Biology - Form 3
English - Form 3
Life Skills - Forms 1-4
The other responsibilities I've been given:
- Librarian - I have the keys to the library and keep record of what books are taken by teachers and students. I'm also cleaning it up and keeping it open for students to read and study 3 days a week after school.
- Laboratory Master - I have the keys to the lab and need to figure out how to best organize and use it.
- Sports Master- Along with one of the other teachers, I'm running netball (girls) and football (boys soccer) games two days a week after school.
- Boarding Master - Again one of two teachers, in charge of making sure the girls who are staying in the empty classroom buildings at the school are doing well and finding access to the things they need.
- I'm on a few school committees as well such as those which make the timetable, schedule, etc.
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