Monthly Archives: July 2011

Classroom Lessons at Chikumbuso

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Today, we observed and taugt lessons in the various classrooms at Chikumbuso, a community center for orphans, single mothers and widows. My group observed and worked with Mr. Misheck Mvula’s  6th grade class. Mr. Misheck started the class off with a lesson on converting fractions into decimals. We followed his lesson with a presentation on using a navigational compass and magnetism. The Zamian students appearred engaged and attentive during both lessons.

 

At the close of the school day, Mr. Misheck and I shared our classroom observations during a conversation on the playground. Mr. Misheck had many positive things to say about our lesson. He was very pleased with the overall presentation of the content. He described our presentation style as both natural and enthusiastic. Mr. Misheck appreciated that we kepth the students engaged througout the lesson with interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities. He felt the the students retatined the information since they accurately responded to our comprehension questions througout the lesson. Mr. Misheck was also grateful for the visual aids that we used. He mentioned that his students usually struggle with understanding abstract concepts such as magnetism due to limited availability of graphic interactive teaching supplies. He thanked us for showing him some ways to get his students involved in what they are learning.

 

I felt honored to have met and worked with Mr. Misheck and his students. Observing and teaching his class helped me to better understand the multitude of challeneges most Zambian students and teachers face in the classroom. This experience enhanced my perspective on the value of educational resources. In comparison to classrooms in the United States, the classrooms in Monze and Lusaka significantly lack access to teaching supplies and teacher training. Consequently, the lessons taught in these schools primarily entail repetitive verbal and wrote memory.

 

Often I have complained about the many challenges I face working in the American education system. Walking away from my experiences in Zambia, I now have a greater appreciation for the ample resources I can use to overcome these challenges.  I especially value the knowledge and skills I use to create opportunities for students to explore, experiment and critically analyze what they are learning. I am also grateful for the training and services I can implement to accomodate students with special learning needs. Knowing that I can provide a learning environment that is not the “survival of the fittest” battle I observed in Zambia encourages me to continue working to empower underpriveleged urban learners.

LearnServe Jamaica: Guest blog from Ryan

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Our guest blogger, Ryan

Hey my name is Ryan and I am one of the students from KBC Learning that have joined the Learn Serve group for part of their trip. I am 18 years old and a Jamaican from Kingston which is the urban part of Jamaica. I came on this trip along with Terrence who is another student from Kbc learning and my two teachers Mr. Anderson and Mr. Maddix.

KBC Learning is a center where students go when they feel like they need additional help in subject areas. This is was my first time doing  something like this and I had the best experience doing it. Going to Scott’s Hall, meeting these students, seeing their resources and being their teacher for the week was an eye opener for me. It makes me reflect back at how fortunate I am and that doing a service like this really has an impact on the lives of other people.

We all worked together as a single unit to accomplish making over the sick bay area, reorganizing the library and also the painting over of the front of the school to make it look better. I got to meet some really nice people on this trip like: Sabine, Maisha, Ginea , Shade, Marwa, Victory , Ralph, Gabby and Nicky. I honestly love these people and what they do.

Sabine is the organizer who makes sure everything runs smooth and is planned out.

Maisha is the hard worker that makes sure that we do what we have to do.

Ginea is the funny out there one that likes to have a good time while doing stuff.

Shade hmm… Shade is the creative one that comes up with good ideas on how to get stuff done , I would call her a visualist.

Marwa has a way with words, every night when we do reflections her reflection seems deep to me like she really knows how to talk very creatively and she has a way with words.

Victory seems like the adventurer type of person that just goes out there and lives her life to the fullest and gets what she wants.

Ralph is the cool guy that has sense of humor and is a really good person that knows what he wants out of life.

Gabby is another hard worker, she never wants to take a break, when she gets started its on and she puts out 110 percent.

Nicky is a fun person she moves quick and knows how to get stuff done fast.

I don’t think I will ever forget any of these people. We got to know each other over the past couple of days we spent together and I feel like we are all good friends now. Its really sad to say goodbye but like all things that have a start it must have an end also. I love you guys and I hope I will be able to see all of you again soon :) .

LearnServe Jamaica, Day 13: In Sync

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Well, this is my last official blog for the Learn Serve Jamaica 2011 trip. I have to say that this experience was far more than I could have ever dared to imagine. Today was our last day of work in our last project at Scott’s Hall Primary School. We only have a weekend left and I plan to make the most of it. I will always cherish the time spent here with all my fellow volunteers that I can now genuinely call friends. I have no doubt that we’ll stay in touch and plan to visit Jamaica again to further continue the work we started here.

The Learn Serve group was such a cooperative team and our projects couldn’t have been completed without everyone’s sweat, effort, and unwavering determination. We set goals and then made them a reality. Seeing this process take place before my eyes in such a short period of time was incredibly wondrous.

You see we weren’t just a team of people but more like a unique machine, made up different components.

In harmony, in sync.

Working together, an unbreakable link.

Like busy bees, paving a way

For a better lifestyle, than they’re living today.

Tensions running high and time running low.

The true reason for our arrival becoming harder to show.

But that’s when we stepped up our game; plans were set.

And we came out with a finished product, the paint’s still wet!

Triumph.

Uncensored sense of pride.

We achieved; it made me so happy I could have cried.

And cheered loud for joy, because at the end of the day

We gained so much more than I could ever say.

The lessons I learned here I hope to carry with me for the rest of my life. Because I learned that it’s okay to get dirty. I learned that one small job still adds to the big picture. I learned that I shouldn’t be ashamed of my weaknesses. And last but not least, I learned that there’s no better beauty than that of nature itself. Thank you for reading my blog and hope you all enjoy the rest of your summer!

~Marwa

LearnServe Jamaica, Day 12: Memories

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Shade'

Where has time gone? Day thirteen? I remember when we were all just anticipating to meet our pillows on day ten, the Sunday of the hike to the Blue Mountain peak. When we finally arrived back to Penlyne Castle, each one of us did not hesitate to go home and sleep the pain away. I remember the first day when we all arrived to Jamaica. The very moment we stepped foot into the Bennett’s kitchen, we could not help but to stare at the refreshments sitting on the counter. I remember the days we spent at the Bennett’s residence. Those day were great. When you mix a great host and hostess with delicious meals with hot water you get the one and only Bennett’s generous hospitality…and a full belly. I remember on day four when we first visited St.Alban’s Primary School. There I met Jasshanie Haughton, the cutest little six year old that I will never forget. My experience with him and the rest of the children at St. Albans inspired me to come back to Jamaica and help out with the educational issues going on. And I even remember the first time I posted my blog entry. The one about the Bennetts being way better than any Bradgelina couple. Well here’s my last post on this journey. I don’t want to conclude it with some sappy ending, so I’ll just say here’s to an interesting, adventurous, physically challenging, extraordinary, long, yet new cultural experience. The days leading up to today have been filled with accomplishments, including today teaching and working at Scott’s Hall Primary School. I will always remember the mural we painted on the veneer of the school. I will remember this trip forever. Then again I do have a trusty journal filled with these memories. Thank you Sabine, Ms.Briggs, and Maisha… these reflection sessions came in handy.

LearnServe Jamaica, Words from the Island 2: On Writing

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Work hard, play hard they say. But, I’ve never been one to rough it out in a game of football. Instead, give me a pen and paper and I’ll show you my play with words. Carefully chosen and purposely placed. A combination of letters and sounds to create a permanent thought. There. In black and white. And helping children acquire the skills to create their own unique mixes of language is all the more gratifying. Even the small things. Comma there, extra “the” here, oh and don’t forget that penmanship. All these little things building up to articulate that one thought. That one thought that could one day alter an entire future.

by Marwa

Day 12- el 6 de julio

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Since Monday I have been part of the sports group (but don’t let the name fool you- it has nothing to do with sports).  The purpose of my group was to organize and distribute all of the clothes that Learn-Serve collected before the trip.

In the morning we passed out tickets to the houses in order to know what each house needed and to know who will get the clothes.  After lunch we organized the clothes by what each house needed.  Tuesday morning we passed out all the bags we had put together.

It felt great being able to see the people get the clothes.  In the afternoon we passes out request slips to people so that we could get more clothes to give out to other people who need them.  Then, Wednesday morning we went around and collected the clothes from the houses we had asked to donate.  At first we were afraid that we wouldn’t get anymore clothes because we went to three houses and didn’t get anything, but then one house gave a lot and another did as well.  It didn’t matter that most did not give because those that did gave a lot.  It was good to see people who were willing to give what they had.

We organized the clothes for the houses and in the afternoon we return to the streets to pass out the clothes.

Where these people live is not fit for anyone.  The roads are hidden by water and the houses are like sheds.  Then there is a river, but it doesn’t have any running water, just trash.  When you see it you feel so disgusted and it makes you wonder how any government could let their people live like this.  But despite these living conditions, the people of Santa Ana are great people.  They are not letting their situation control their lives.  They are taking charge and making a change in their community.

- Natasha

LearnServe Jamaica, Words From the Island 1: Yellow

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Sweat trickles down my neck as I bend down to refill my brush with paint. My yellow splotched feet staring up at me as I swirl my brush in the mesmerizing color. I wonder to myself if it’ll be hard to remove it from my skin but shrug and continue working. I apply small messy strokes to the washed up concrete. Rich texture bringing life to the walls. Noises of witty banter and colorful comebacks fill the background. I focus on the task at hand. Stroke, stroke, stroke, bend, and refill. All in a continuous replay. At times my mind wandered and my pace slowed but my hand continued the mindless pattern. Then it was over. Paints were put away and hands washed clean. I become distracted by some nearby conversations but as the bus was loading and bodies shuffled into the seats I turned around for one last glance. And it hit me like a sudden flash. Bright.

Electric. Can’t miss, Yellow.

by Marwa

dias 9- 10 (los 3 y 4 de julio) – Sache

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Often times people aren’t aware of their surrroundings.

Today, July 4th there was a culture clash between San Jose, who texted on their phone every 10 minutes, and Santa Ana, who payed attention to the lesson. San Jose is the wealthy class of Paraguay while Santa Ana remains in the lower class. It was awkward for other students and I from Learn Serve to be in the mist of that. Bringing two different groups of people from the same area didn’t seem like a hard task, however it was pretty difficult.

Paraguay is a small country and it’s crazy to see a suffering family live right next door to a mansion. The picture doesn’t seem clear. Still, why blame either group of students when they are seperated from one another. Although living such a small distance from each other, some of their parents choose not to look which trains the better off students not to look. Yes, San Jose students are interested because they are here to help. They don’t understand the full effect because their heads are bowed in their phones.

Things aren’t what I expected. I imagined the Santa Ana neighborhoods with children who weren’t taught to go to school everyday or put their trash in trash bins. There is a big contrast beteween what I imagined and what I actually see.

This is only the first day working with the different classes. Hopefully by the end of the week the students from Learn Serve can make Paraguay a better place. I’ll help teach San Jose how to socialize and help out more with what they can. Also, teach Santa Ana to be more open accept that help from others without being afraid. From there, it shouldn’t be a promblem with needing help to improve the Santa Ana community.

Sometimes things are so close that we ignore them. Santa Ana and San Jose are the perfect example but by the end of the week the strings will be attached.

- Sache

Nadja Reflects on Chikumbuso Community Center

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Hello Everyone,

 

I hope you are all doing well in the States because  we are doing wonderful here, in Zambia, Africa.  Our experiences here Zambia have been unforgetable and, certainly, irreplacable.  Working with the kids, tasting foriegn cuisines, TRAVELING over Zambia, and seeing and experiencing a different culture and way of life are all what makes this trip so special.  However, realizing that we are all people with similar hopes, dreams, likes, dislikes, wants, needs, and, generally, charactiristics is what really defines this trip.

 

Today was our first day interacting with the school kids, and some of the teachers and teacher assistants, at the Chikumbuso Community Center.  Today was Chikimbuso’s Activity Day.  Each of the children would be placed into different groups, by grade, and would rotate to each activity, whether the activity be an indoor or feild activity.  Each of us, in the LearnServe Zambia group would proctor an activity; for example facepainting, soccer, cardgames, etc.  It was fun, but also intersting, seeing the kids’ interactions between themselves and their interactions with us, the proctors of the activity.  Maya and I proctored relay races.  I have to admit, it was very slow and tedious at the beginning, working with the smaller kids and trying to break the language barrier.  Even trying to keep their interest was a major struggle.   But as the day continued, we started to work with the older kids, which, became significantly easier; especially, since we combined groups with Jeremy and K.P. to play a large game of soccer.  I am not sure if the day became easier and more fun because the kids were older or because we combined our groups, but by the end of the day I really enjoyed myself and had a great time working with the kids.  The best part of my day was screaming “Wuele!,” or “Goal!,” with the kids as one of our teamates scored a goal.   The look of joy, happiness, accomplishment, and even acceptance took my breath away each time.  Their passion for the small, and seemingly insignificant, little game of soccer was so genuine and legitimate.  Sharing such a feeling was absolutely wonderful, and allowing myself to connect with these kids on an emotional, and even personal, level is very uplifiting and even fulfilling.

 

No, soccer is not my favorite sport, but when I play soccer with these kids it is more than a sport, it is a shared passion and joy.  Before we start the game, our ultimate goal is to win and score as many goals as possible.  But when the game has started and the ball is first touched, we do not only aspire to score as many goals as possible, but to score that goal as one team, celebrate as one team, and play as one team.  Being with these kids, playing and working with them, shows me how similar they are to me.  Yes, we might live a  little differently, eat a little differently, or speak differnent languages; however, we all live here, in this planet called Earth as human beings.  Let us not only seek the future, but look at our past as well.  Let us not only look to 1973 where you might have been born, or 1850 where your great great grandparents were living out west.  Let us look to the beginning of time, Africa, where we all became humans born on Planet Earth, where we had similar aspirations of achievement, well-being, and pure happiness.  We are all humans, nothing less, and this trip has really highlighted this simple sentence.  As we continue our journey, and as I talk to another person, I experience this statement constantly and it has not yet proven to be wrong.  So, as I close this blog, remember there are more of us, humans, around the world who are quite similar to us in the States.  We, the world, are more than just America.

 

Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MA!  I miss you and I hope you had, or have (in American time), a wonderful BIRTHDAY!!!!  Love you!