Today was field day for the children at the Malambo School. This was yet another example that the joy of children is universal, regardless of social and economic status. Each grade, first through seventh, had to rotate among seven stations, doing various games and races. I led the soccer station, where they had to dribble a ball between cones in a relay race. It was rewarding… and exhausting. There were about forty 1st graders. As I reflect upon my time with them, I’m struck at the patience and organization their teacher, Ruth, must have in order to work with such a large group of small children at one time.
Nina organizes kids for relay races
Although I worked with all grades today, 1st grade is on my mind. The children didn’t understand much English. I tried my hardest to explain the rules, demonstrating to them that they had to dribble in and out of the cones then run back and tag their teammate, but it was obvious they weren’t particularly concerned about the rules. They just wanted to kick the soccer ball and have fun—and that’s exactly what they did. They were absolutely adorable as they ran around with the ball, almost completely ignoring the cones set up. They laughed and cheered and demonstrated to me just how precious childhood is. These children do not have many tangible items to entertain them; they do not play on the Internet; they do not have a room full of stuffed animals; they do not have Baby Einstein toys to teach them the alphabet at an early age; most of their clothes are tattered and held together by a single safety pin; most do not have shoes; they may or may not be able to attend school past 7th grade. Nevertheless, what these children do have is a nurturing community, a safe environment, caring teachers, very sweet spirits, and the most beautiful smiles.
Elizabeth teaching math
I must say, our three days at the Malambo School have been fatiguing—working and trying to communicate with students where there is a strong language barrier is difficult. However, I am so glad to have had this experience in getting to know them and their teachers. We’ve taught the teachers different teaching styles that will be helpful in their classrooms, and our interaction with the students was definitely positive and exposed them to things they have never experienced before. But our group ended up learning and receiving much more than we gave. I have learned so much about community and the pureness and simplicity of rural life here in Zambia. It’s been a very different experience than the two schools we visited in Lusaka; urban and rural life is seemingly different everywhere in the world. But it is obvious that despite the apparent poverty, people here are happy. People here are appreciative of what they have and are very supportive of each other. This was the case in Lusaka as well, but with a totally different environment. I am exhausted from field day today. It was a great day, but I’m now looking forward to traveling to Livingstone tomorrow…
Rashida, a teacher at Hyde Leadership Public Charter