Jan. 25, 2011 -- Beginning the Second Week of Teaching in Angoche

January 25th, 2011

Well, the internet here has been out for over a week. Apparently this is not that unusual for Mozambique but it's definitely a first for me here. It did, however, give me a lot of time to work on lesson plans and read. We are into our second week of school here, but the first week was pretty much just practice because out of my classes (which are supposed to have around 80 students) each one only had about 10 kids, and none of the other teachers taught any classes.

This week I had more like 40 students per class, which is already more than we have chair, so today a few kids had to sit on the floor. I can't really imagine how another 30 kids are going to fit in my rooms, which are basically the size of the typical American classroom. Definitely not built to hold 80 kids in their mid-to-late teens. That might end up being the biggest challenge of all. How to keep everyone in the class involved when only half the students even have desks.

I started yesterday and today by introducing myself and telling the kids a little about my background (I purposefully did not tell them my age, though every class asked). We then talked about the rules and expectations in my classroom, the most important of which I told them was Respect. I respect them and they respect me. They seemed to understand that pretty well -- by which I mean, they speak almost no English and I had to teach almost entirely in Portuguese, but they understood the concept. We also talked about my other very important rule: NO CHEATING. Yes, in all capital letters. The use of cheat sheets ("cabulas" in Portuguese) is rampant in Mozambican schools. The other teachers completely allow it because both the students and the other teachers are convinced that the kids cannot pass without them. What's worse is this idea has some truth to it because the students take so many different disciplines every year and have never really been taught critical thinking or problem solving skills. If they don't have the fact/number/verb/etc memorized, they give up.

Anyway, in the second half of the blocked class (we have two blocked classes and one normal length, aka 45 minute, class each week), we then talked about what they wanted to learn this year. Their previous teachers were so bad. They have been taking English for six years now and literally cannot say anything other than greetings, which they have to know because the students greet the teacher every class. There are a few exceptions -- those who either have someone who has taught them outside school or were lucky enough to have had one of the previous volunteers and then actually worked hard and remembered what they were taught. However, their lack of experience is almost easier for me because I am going to start from scratch.

After deciding what they wanted to learn this year, we started at the beginning. Yes, with the alphabet. We practiced pronunciation, because some letters and sounds are really difficult for them ('r' for example), and then I taught them the ABCs song. It was a huge hit. Every class loved it. Kids were clapping like I'd performed a fantastic magic trick or something else equally amazing. Their enthusiasm was great. Next we practiced the numbers, writing them out up to twenty. Even these two tasks were not easy for them. And after six years of a language, that's really unfortunate. But after seeing that the other English teachers aren't even really fluent themselves, I can't say I'm all that surprised.

However, the kids did seemed excited to learn, and I think I did a good job keeping them in line. There are a few kids who I can already tell are going to be problems, but having been one of the smart kids who just can't stop answering questions, and being friends with the people who are always making jokes and whispering, I know how to handle it and keep them in check. We'll see how much harder it gets once half the class is sitting on the floor.

The other thing worth noting is that today when I was just about to start my first class, I noticed a crowd of students all gathered around something out on a slope/hill behind the school. As none of the other teachers seemed to notice or care, I went out to investigate. A student was lying on the ground, apparently unconscious. My fellow volunteer, Audie, also came down and she had discovered from some of the students that he had epilepsy and was having a seizure. We made sure to make everyone back away after resting him on his side. But after a few minutes he was still unconscious, and finally another teacher came over. He had one of the older boys carry the unconscious boy over his shoulder to the hospital, which is thankfully just up the road. I don't know yet if he is all right, as no one seemed to know once my classes we over for the day, but I will obviously try and find out more in the coming days. What a welcome to the world of teaching and a start to the first full week of school!

Well now I must go and write up my pre-test questions on some poster-sized paper because the school doesn't have copiers and it's the easiest way to give a test without wasting half the period writing the questions on the chalkboard. Tomorrow I will really find out what my kids know, and what they don't. Hopefully it won't be too upsetting, but I guess I shouldn't get my hopes up too high. Hope to be able to send another update in a week or two, once I've gotten into the flow of classes and lesson planning.

Miss you all!
Hope everything is going well in the States!
Love,
Alissa

Jan. 15, 2011 -- Death of a Child

January 15, 2011

There is absolutely no sound like the crying of a mother who has just lost her child. I had never heard that sound before last night. But death is just one of the many terrible things that is far more common in Mozambique than it should be. My adorable little 5 year old neighbor died yesterday. She had been sick her whole life apparently, but she was doing more or less okay until yesterday when she collapsed suddenly. Her family took her to the hospital but she died a few hours later. I sat up most of the night hearing her mother's cries outside my window. It's something I will never forget.

Today I watched from above as they loaded her much-too-small coffin into a truck at the head of a line of cars full of people to go to bury her. The cries of her family followed the procession down the street and away from our apartment, but the sound still lingers in my mind.

This sound is the reason. The reason why people like myself are willing to spend two years away from their family and friends, everything they know in life, to try to help people they have never met. If I can do anything to try to educate or help even one person in this country, convince them they can become a doctor, or make an honest living to feed their family, or go get help when they need it without the stigma attached to certain illnesses, then it will make all the difference. If I can prevent even one mother from having to make the sounds I heard for the past 24 hours, then how can I not? How is that not worth two years of my time? How can I not want to give back in any way I can to help those less fortunate than myself?

Everyone can do their part. I'm just playing mine. I hope you all take some time today to think about what yours can be. What can you do to help those less fortunate, be they the ones on this side of the world or the ones who live right down the street from you.

I need some time to think. So that's all for today.
Hope you are all well.

~Alissa

January 10, 2011: Happy New Year from Mozambique

So here it is, my first email of the New Year. So much has happened in the past couple weeks. I spent New Year's on Ilha de Mocambique (Mozambique Island) with a group of friends. It was so much fun! I have attached a picture of my friend Megan and I in front of the old fort on the island. The island was one of the first places settled in Mozambique. It actually served as the capitol during most of the Portuguese rule, until it was later changed to Maptuo, down south. Half of the island is really built up and touristy, and the other half is a barrio (think poverty, huts, traditional Mozambican living). It's quite a sight to see.

Upon arriving back to our site a few days into the new year, we set about trying to find out what we will be teaching this coming school term, since we still didn't know. I finally found out a couple days ago what I'm going to be teaching -- 11th grade English. So not any chemistry [original assignment when accepted into PC] or math! Okay. Interesting. Typical Mozambique. But considering how well even the English teachers here speak English (or don't speak it, I should say), it's probably not bad to have native speakers teaching the upper grades. My roommate, who was actually sent here to teach English originally, will be teaching 12th grade. That's an exam year, so she has a bit more pressure than I do. Whew. So now I have exactly one week to prepare before classes start. Awesome. And also very typical for Mozambique. But hey, I'll be teaching almost entirely in English, so now I'm a little less nervous. Now I just have to worry about managing my class and the fact that some of my students will be my age or older. No problem, right?

Also, today was the day. I cut all my hair off. Well, nearly all of it. A picture is attached, and I LOVE IT. It is SO much cooler and easier to deal with. Plus, I think it looks decent considering my roommate did it with some regular scissors... haha. I'm so glad I decided to do it. I've wanted to cut it off for awhile now and really, if I don't do it here I never will. Let me know what you think.

Anyway, I have to spend the next week working on my lesson plans. Some of the topics are kind of ridiculous, like a unit on the coconut tree and its importance in local culture and trade. Okay. But some are actually super exciting like the unit on democracy and another on politics and elections. Those should be amazing to teach. I'm going to be getting a copy of the syllabus on Friday, though I saw one for a minute yesterday. I think the first week will mostly be review and getting to know my class, especially because a lot of the students don't show up the first couple weeks, for whatever reason.

Well I'm off to bed now, and tomorrow have to start planning my lessons. Wish me luck!

Miss you all!
~Alissa