New Guests, the First Week, and the Slippery Slope (2/4/2006)

This week I met the 4 new English kids. They are really nice. They won't let me cook or clean but I go over there for dinner every night. I usually think of them as about my age because they are here and volunteering, but they are a year out of high school and there are times when there youth shows. They have not been away to college or union as they say, so this is also their first time away from family and or friends. One of the girls is already feeling homesick and one of the guys is really tender on the subject of being a mamma's boy. So having them as neighbors not only simplifies life greatly (no worries for dinner) but also provides lots of entertainment.

I was expecting chaos for the first week, but it shocking how different their first week is from an American school. I was prepared for only a few students to show because they have not paid yet. However, I was surprised that the schedule for teaching was not finished before the start of school. Most of the teachers did not even go to class because they felt it would be a waste of time. And there were two teacher training sessions planned when I thought I was going to teach.

I think the worst thing about the week is seeing the kids penned up in a classroom with no entertainment and no teacher for the majority of a day. I brought the NewsWeeks and IEEE Spectrums and it was amazing to see the kids clamour for them. They would all stretch out their hands and then would gather in groups of five to six students per magazine.

In terms of personal health and wellness I am getting in decent shape, but sluffing on the hygiene and self learning. Last week I played soccer twice and took two bike rides over an hour. But with all the fun I have started to neglect flossing, sweeping and Swahili grammar. However, I did start Swahili/ Chaga lessons last week. This means I can now say "nianto mbe" which is good morning sir in the local language and brought attention to the fact I can barely read. Next week I'll try to rekindle the good habits and extinguish the bad.