Written Nov. 11

Study program:
Some of you know that for a long time I have been contemplating how I would start a structured study program for the children in the compound. Well, we started the program about three weeks ago. We have had to make some adjustments to the routines, but the program is well underway! The children are motivated to study and I am able to assist them in their trouble areas with one-on-one time, especially with English and reading. Just by studying with them (Andy helps Fatou M. with economics mainly), in which we ask them to work hard in a different, more complex way, than what is demanded at their schools, is making a difference in their learning already.
Even though they are not extrinsically motivated we have had the ability to reward them for their efforts (thanks to some donations from family) by providing small rewards. They earn the rewards by coming to do study work. When they do this they earn points and at certain levels they can attain a reward based on their points. The thing is because of their sharing culture, no matter who gets what reward, they all share it anyhow!
Case in point
The other day Alhagie was completely excited to achieve the 10 point mark. He looked in the box and squirmed with excitement. After digging through and reviewing the choices he said he would be right back and went outside to confer with our host mother what he should get. He came back inside and choose four packets of juice that you add to water.
Andy was sitting on the porch talking to the children that were waiting for their turn (they get a rock with a painted number on it and go and get the next person after their turn). Alhagie rushed back to tell Andy that he had given one to Ara (our neightbor), one to Ndea (our host mom) one to Sanussei (our host dad) and the kids all shared one.
Though Andy and I were a little afraid they would not like them he let us know he did and when Jalika looked in the prize box, she pointed out with a frown that there was no more juice!
Well, just in the fact that Ndea has been encouraging MoLamin to “go study!” in the evening, Alhagie and Alieu have made progress in reading and all the children are experiencing new ways of learning! (rather than their listening to lectures, or memorizing a text, in a language they understand very little of)


Random notes: This morning on my way to the corner near our house to catch a gelley to the nursery school a horrible thing happened. There were two dogs wandering around the road and one of them got squarely hit by a speeding vehicle.
I was watching it aimlessly wander around the road, I looked at the other dog, and that’s when I heard the horrible sound of car making contact with a body. I looked at saw the dog squirming on its back and howling in pain. After a few seconds of that, he tried to get up, his leg was clearly broken, he then ran crazily ran off the road and down a dirt side road with the other dog following. What bothered me most was of all the people standing around the road when it happened; I was the only one that looked like something bad had happened. It made me even more upset to hear the young men chuckle to themselves about the situation then move on in their conversation.
Now I realize that attitudes towards animals are different here, but I don’t think they even thought of the possibility and danger of the situation because it could have easily been a child that was hit because of reckless, uncaring, speeding drivers.
Because I am currently in the process of getting ready to apply for jobs in the states as a teacher I have been reading texts on teaching more vigorously. I am having these bad thoughts that I have somehow “absorbed” the teaching practices of people I have worked with here. This is because their style of teaching, treatment of students, and school system is the antithesis of what we strive for in the states. Because I am working within the school system here and now as a volunteer, I have to find a difficult balance between helping the educators themselves improve their work and still recognize cultural differences that I cannot encourage them to change. Some days I think it would be easier to say, “here, let me see your class, I will show you…” and then take it over for a few weeks. But that is not the solution and even though I know it, it sometimes enters my mind.
When I am sitting in classrooms where teachers are directly insulting children that sit idle for hours on end, I squirm. I think I will take a huge breath of relief when I see classrooms in America again. It may even bring tears to my eyes when I see the beautiful sight of colorful, thoughtfully designed classrooms that have enough desks and chairs for students and so much more! And I may even get hysterical at watching a teacher and students interact with a deliberate focus on positive learning experiences and environments.
Somehow, I think the more teacher articles, books, etc. I read about from an American perspective the more it will help me keep the “bad” thoughts and influences of working within a deformed school system at bay.
On that note, I will be leaving Sunday for a week long trek to the furthest region in the country to do student teacher observations! Wish me good luck!