(Author's note: We have no internet on our mountaintop location, so I will continue to write about my experiences and post multiple blogs when the opportunity arrises. I rode for an hour into town this morning in order to go to the US Embassy (I needed more passport pages) and to use the internet. So, no news is good news and I'll keep you as updated as I am able. Love you guys- thanks for reading!)
The mountaintop view from my front doorstep…I'll take no internet for a month if I can have a view like this!
When I was informed of our ministry placement this month, my heart was overjoyed with one word: school. I’ve always loved school- I was the kid that got excited when the school supplies were displayed in stores and loved the annual “Back-to-School” shopping trip. I matched the red folder with the red notebook…red was always for English, green for Science, black for Math, blue for Social Studies, yellow for Specials… Yeah, I was that kid.
So it’s no surprise that I went to college to become a teacher.
When we arrived at El Shaddai, our contact wanted to know our giftings so we could utilize our strengths. Some people would be working construction, some in the baby house, some at preschool, some at tutoring and some at El Shaddai Primary School.
When I told her I went to college to be a teacher, guess where I was placed?
You got it- school.
I was overjoyed! For the entire Race I’ve desired a month where I can use the education I’ve received to be used at a school in another country. My dream was finally reality. Hallelujah, thank you Jesus!
Well, it turns out a rural school in Africa is a bit different than the public schools of America. I’ve decided to write a series of blogs about my experiences- good, bad and hilarious, during my time at El Shaddai Primary School.
My first day at school, I went back to the basics…
As I walked the quarter mile down the dirt road in my best missionary teacher outfit, I passed some students playing soccer with what appeared to be plastic bags balled together. They were wearing matching school uniforms and thoroughly intrigued by the white girls walking onto the school grounds. All play ceased and heads turned as they looked inquisitively at the visitors.
Can’t say that I’ve ever had quite the same welcome at a school in the States.
The U-shaped brick building holds 8 classrooms, one room per grade (grades 1-7) plus a computer room. At one end of the building is a teacher’s lounge and the head master’s (principal’s) office. The entire staff can fit into this small space as it consists of only 9 teachers and a secretary.
El Shaddai Primary School
I met with the head master and introduced myself to the teaching staff during the morning meeting; I was to help in grade 6 with English and Maths (no, that’s not a typo, they pronounce math “maths”).
Hooray! I thought.When I student taught, I was in 6thgrade. I bet it will be similar.
Not in the slightest.
I walked into the grade 6 room and could feel all 88 eyes on me. As I looked out into the class, I was astounded at the size of these 11 and 12-year-olds.
My first thoughts were, Dang! They grow ‘em big here in Swaziland…
Well, I soon found out why the grade 6 kids were so big- because they ranged in age from 11-21. Yikes!
Why the difference? I thought.
As if reading my mind, the science teacher told me some students started grade 1 late, some didn’t have the necessary money to enroll in school and some failed their grade 6 exam. Starting in grade 4, if students don’t pass their English exam, they will fail the entire grade. All instruction in Swaziland is given in English and not in the native SiSwati, making it difficult for many students.
I greeted my 44 students (that’s a whole lot of bodies in a small space) to which they replied, “Good morning tea-chaa.” Awesome.
My first day, I observed to get a feel for the classroom environment, the material they were studying and how the students behaved. Each student shares a desk with another student where he places all his supplies. A notebook and pupil guide are required for each class and students guard their one and only government issue blue pen. They write all schoolwork on grid-lined paper and are slightly obsessive compulsive about using a ruler to make perfectly straight lines. To each his own…
My grade 6 classroom at El Shaddai Primary School
There are no Smartboards, TVs or overhead projectors, just a blackboard and a box of chalk. The curriculum, whether you like it or not, is provided by the government- long live the King! Students don’t have folders because there are no handouts to give them. Every teaching aid used when teaching, must be made by the teacher. Lesson plans are written in a notebook issued by the school that is mandatory to cover (I felt like I was in middle school again when I had to come home and cover my lesson plan book…I at least colored my cover and wrote “PROFESSOR BOUCHE” on the front. It makes me laugh every time- ha ha!) Lesson plan notebooks must be turned in for approved and all assignments are graded with a government issue red pen.
Oh, and one more difference. There is no bell to signify the start of school or the end of a period. Just an electric siren.
Yep, they plug the siren in, switch the button and off it goes, screaming away. It sounds like the noon whistle in most towns or a tornado-warning siren. Either way, it can’t be good for our ears, especially since they plug it in my classroom.
So these were my first impressions of the school, the basics if you will. It’s a far cry from the tech-saturated schools of America but I’m glad to be serving here for a month. The chronicles to come will include specifics moments when I’m reminded that I’m in Africa- the good, the bad and the hilarious. I hope you enjoy reading!
