I’ve fallen behind w/ posts, but a few weeks ago we went to a local school to meet with the principal and other officials to tell/remind them about ASAP & Hlomelikusasa, and introduce us.
School in Mt. Frere
We arrived at the school and there was a huge pot over a fire in preparation for a big celebration at the school. Then a bunch of 12-16 year old boys started grabbing chickens from a car and taking them over toward the fire. Bye-bye chickens. But it got worse: next the kids pulled a hog-tied sheep out of the truck and dragged it around the side of the building. I won’t sugar coat it—they slaughtered Mr. Sheep. I could see the whole thing happening from the window during our meeting. Gross.
School kids: always ready for a photo!
The faculty at the school are lackluster at best. We were introduced to them by the assistant principal as “brilliant teachers who will show you how to do your job” so it’s no wonder they all hate us. Well, at first we thought they hated us, now it seems more like they just don’t care. Sometimes the teachers don’t even show up to teach their own classes. We have now been there a few times (Andy focuses on maths/sciences tutoring, and I am doing art and writing), and it’s been hard. Many of the orphans/vulnerable children don’t understand English at all—that wouldn’t be a problem if all their exams weren’t in English. It’s frustrating, and sad that they get so little help and attention.
The tech teacher is the only one who seems happy and enthusiastic to have us there. Andy’s been helping a lot in the computer lab. There are about 15 ancient computers. When we got there they were all broken, but Andy fixed them (and by “fixed” I mean “plugged them in”—yeah, he’s a genius). Every single computer has a virus, and even though they turn on, they hardly work. But they have put in an application to Dell for 30 computers, so maybe they’ll at least get a few. We’ll see.
The tech teacher is also the head gardener. They’ve got a pretty great garden that the kids work on every day after school. It’s in the beginning stages, but stay tuned, we’ll keep updating the pictures and show you the garden as it grows. It’s already showing improvement, which is really fun to watch:
Garden after 1 day
Garden after 1 week
Garden after 3 weeks
October 24th, 2008 at 01:25
Hi Guys,
Would be interested to know what they are planning on growing, though maybe all will become clear as we see the progress. How do they share the produce? Is it eaten (assuming it’s all edible produce!) in school time?
More info please.
October 24th, 2008 at 01:31
i hope things get better with the teachers it hard to believe that. We in america have it so easy without even reliazing it
October 24th, 2008 at 10:21
Fifteen ancient computers? Andy must be in HEAVEN! Do they all have Linux on them yet? And which version of eBookman are they running?
October 25th, 2008 at 23:22
The kids are adorable, it’s great to see such big smiles given all they have to deal with. Sorry you have to keep being exposed to all the animal-slaughtering. To think, at this rate, you might actually be come used to it…eek!
October 27th, 2008 at 17:25
“brilliant teachers who will show you how to do your job.” How could they not love you? It sounds as though the solution might be similar to the situation with the computers — first step, plug them in!
October 31st, 2008 at 21:50
you are doing such good work.
i can’t imagine a school where the teachers are indifferent, because it sounds as if the children themselves have a lot of energy and desire.
the main thing, i think, is think in terms of taking small steps. you will never be able to solve life’s problems, but you can do ‘small things’ that cumulatively make a difference. a smile, a couple of chickens, a working computer- it’s something positive for these children.
and i hope for you too.
November 21st, 2008 at 18:17
Yeah, what’s going into the ground in that nice looking garden? Can we get a new photo of its progress. I have been working on a garden of my own, so my interest is selfish, but relevant. JK, but please tell. Are you two working the land as well?
Hope you are good!