Monday at Siabalumbi

2012-06-04

From Emma

Hello all! Although it has only been about a week, it seems that so much has happened. It’s still strange to me that Zambia is 7 hours ahead, so when it’s 12:40 for you, it’s 7:40 here. The negative side of this is that our sleeping habits are all out of whack. We’ve gotten to know 8 of the 9 babies that live here because Abroham went home today. I love how they all have their different personality quirks, and characteristics that make them unique. Today we spent our time at Siabalumbi, at the school there. We taught grade 3 reading techniques Grade 4 we attempted to help with long division (attempted). Also the pre-schoolers and grade 1, where we talked about colors, numbers, letters, and shapes. This last group was a joy, very eager to learn, and very interested in the makua (white people). Overall, everything is different, but also similar. They are more advanced in technology and there are more white skins than I expected. As Gray said, the weather is awesome, but the mornings are quite chilly. The food is incredible. Joan is an excellent cook and every night my stomach feels full to the brim.

         I could attempt to tell you all about Zambia, but quite honestly it is indescribable. You’d have to come see for yourself. The view from even 7 Fountains (the orphanage we’re staying for now) is beautiful, but the view up on Siabalumbi is even more so. The people are incredible, so welcoming, especially the children.

            Gray is standing over my shoulder, pestering for his laptop back, so I must go. Thank you for reading! I hope all is going well back home.

Some pics of Rachel and Emma with the babies:

 

Comparing North American Education and Zambian Education is like comparing a penguin and an eagle; they are both birds and that is where the similarity ends.  At first glance, there is often a mixed reaction of WOW! These schools look a lot better than I expected, and WOW! Every visual aid, every flash card, every poster is drawn by hand – when do they have time to do that?  What the Zambians lack resources they make up for in innovation.  For instance, there were no math manipulatives for the Grade 4 class, so the teacher asked the pupils to go outside and gather 100 stones each.  She gave the two minutes.  At the end of two minutes, students poured into the classroom with their shirts forming a container for 100 stones.  I was amazed at how quickly these children could count the numbers for their division problem.  How would you like to teach or do a division problem like 2100 ÷ 17 = n with 100 rocks?  

Angie’s group of 6 boys was especially bright and they whizzed through the problem.  I worked with a boy who really struggled, and I longed for something besides rocks to use as counters.  Angie, Grayson, Emma and Rachel did a fantastic job of encouraging and prompting the students so each child could succeed on his own. 

I think it is safe to say that we favored the Grade 3 teacher; she teaches Gr. 3 in the morning and Preschool in the afternoon.  She was enthusiastic and animated and it is obvious that she cares about the children. She was very receptive to some ideas we introduced for teaching phonics, and it made me feel very good when she asked if we could come back on Tuesday so she could learn more.

Can you find the pencil this Grade 1 boy is using to write the word /cat/?

Chris spent the morning with the Bible teacher and then taught two Bible classes in the afternoon.  At the end of the day, the teachers treated us to sweet potatoes and tea.  This afternoon snack revived us and sustained us so we could enjoy the journey back to 7-Fountans.

After another wonderful meal, Angie, Chris and Joan went to the Mbumwae’s for the Bible study they hold each Monday night for the college students.  Grayson, Emma, Rachel and I washed dishes and made lunches for Tuesday.  Early to bed so we can rise early tomorrow feeling rested and ready for another blessed day.