This was written several weeks ago. Due to limited internet, I am just posting it now.
Today (Thursday), I woke up coughing and with a headache. This little sickness started last Saturday night, and despite my resting on Sunday, it’s been lingering in the background all week. The lack of running water the past few days means baby-wiping my hands constitutes as washing them. This, combined with spending about 6 hours of my day surrounded by little village children, means my body is fighting an uphill battle for healing. I barely have a voice which makes teaching (anywhere, but especially in an African school) nearly impossible, so I chose to rest today.
Because my bedroom this month is directly attached to the school rooms and my window to the outside play area, I still half-participated in school even as I lay flat on my back. I heard children’s voices and attached names and faces with them in my head. I heard as the little ones sung the Malawian National Anthem, played outside, and ate their snacks. I also heard my teammates do an incredible job with the kids.
The past few days at school have been very challenging. We are trying to teach 50 3-5 year olds in two very small (and connected) classrooms. There is very little structure or discipline, which translates into very little successful learning time. One of the goals we talked about as a team was to help bring more order and structure into the school. We figured that, while we could teach some, our most valuable impact would be in helping to cast a vision for teachers and students alike.
Today, this included:
(1) The hug game. Where children don’t just push and fight each other to use us humans as jungle gyms. Instead, my teammates taught them to raise their hands and say, “Hug please!” A teammate would give them a hug and a high-five in response.
(2) Walking in a line. Where children don’t grab each other and move in a small mob wherever they are going. Instead, they put their arms by their sides and walk one following the other. We’re still working on this one.
(3) The quiet game. Where quiet actually exists, if only for a few moments. (PRAISE GOD). Children were shocked when they actually got “out” for talking. It introduced the idea of listening and being quiet when a teacher is talking and displayed follow-through with discipline and consequences. Plus, everyone was saner at the end of the day.
(4) Nap time. Where children put their heads down on the tables for a few minutes during the day. One of my teammates sang to the children. Although they did not quite settle down, we are hoping that this might help their attention spans as it is incorporated into the daily routine.
(5) Saying please and thank-you. Where expectations of politeness help dictate the response from the teacher. Lunch was given first to students who were sitting properly and who said “thank you”. The others soon followed suit in want of rice & beans.
Today, my job was primarily to rest and get better. As I did, though, I heard the sound of small transformations happening only feet away from me. My amazing teammates led creative, fun, and clever activities to help bring more order and peace to the classes at Life Child. Thank you to each of you who has and is supporting me or any of my teammates; you are helping us to bring these transformations!
