Saturday, January 14, 2006
Going south to go south
I am in Amsterdam and thought I would use the opportunity for an update since I have no idea what the situation will be in Jo'burg for Internet.
The sun is out for the first time in the week I have been in Europe, of course that means that it is pretty cold (around 0C). I understand that Toronto has been having very warm weather. There was even mention of it, with film of skaters and squirrels on CNN International. Also indication that it is raining in northeastern South Africa, which means likely in Lesotho. It appears that the rainy season is happening there for the first time in four or five years. May make it bit gloomy but a *very good thing* since there has been a drought for so long. Should do wonders for the grazing and for reducing soil erosion.
Thought I would mention in more detail what I hope to do when I arrive there. I have to talk to the principal to see if these are ok with him and he may have other tasks for me to undertake.
At 'Mamohau:
1. Helping the teachers in any way possible. This may involve suggestions about alternative teaching methods (lesson planning, evaluation, discipline, feedback to students, etc)
2. Trying to improve the support that students get when they are having academic problems (apparently very common). The teachers are very much over-burdened since the classes tend to be around 70 or so. It is very hard for them to provide much help. I will be doing direct tutoring, but also trying to set up peer tutoring so that this might continue when I am gone. In particular, I will be helping with math, science and geography.
3. Working to organize sports programs. I am bringing numerous balls (mainly soccer - I have to learn to say 'football' here) that are used but still have lots of life. They certainly are better than the ones the kids make from rags and string. I also have four sets of shirts (thanks Pearson Ed, AY Jackson and Peter and Pat) for the kids to wear when we have the:
World Cup 2006 Lesotho.
Actually there will be two - one for boys and one for girls. I hope enough kids want to play that we can have all the countries (geography tie-in here). We will use the same structure as the World Cup. The number of players per team will be flexible as will game length. Also, from photos I have seen, there is little flat land at the school so it may produce interesting games. I hope at the end of World Cups to have the winning boys team play Lesotho (teachers) and the girls play Canada (the Canadian volunteers are almost all retired and need all the help possible - including attacking downhill I think). I also have some frisbees and will be introducing Ultimate to the mountains of Lesotho. I will see if I can set up running programs as well. Lesotho distance runners have had some success internationally (living at altitude) and I want to see what there is with respect to running and how to encourage it. I hope to do some game organizing at Mahlefekane as well. I have some activity balls and many balloons for that. I also want to set up a sports council to continue with the organization of activities after I leave.
4. AIDS support. There is great denial about AIDS in Lesotho and reluctance to even say the word (like in Harry Potter). I have brought many beads with me including ones with letters and I hope to get kids in the AIDS group (which is small I think) to make bracelets for themselves that say things like 'NO AIDS", 'ABC" (Abstinence, Be faithful, use a Condom - a major campaign slogan in Africa), and 'JSN' (Just Say No, for girls; one of the problems is that the girls do not feel empowered sexually. I also hope to tie the sports program to AIDS prevention but not sure how to do that.
5. Orphan support. There are a number of orphans at Mamohau who are supported financially by someone in Canada. I want to make sure that the kids are communicating regularly with their sponsors.
6. Project support. In this respect, I will be acting on behalf of the school in helping them draft proposals for assistance from helplesotho.ca. This could involve making sure that grant proposals are clear and complete and aimed to address major problems at the school. It also will involve making sure that financial accountability is stressed, both in making proposals and in monitoring and reporting on spending. I may be trying to help the principal at Mahlefekane find out why the promised building addition at her school has not happened. The purpose of this proposal is to get the classes out of the tent they are in and into a proper building. I know nothing more about this problem than what I have said here.
Anyway, these should all keep me busy for the months to come and I will report back with progress (he said hopefully!)
Not sure when I will be adding to this. Have to figure out the vagaries of Internet in Lesotho.
Bruce
The sun is out for the first time in the week I have been in Europe, of course that means that it is pretty cold (around 0C). I understand that Toronto has been having very warm weather. There was even mention of it, with film of skaters and squirrels on CNN International. Also indication that it is raining in northeastern South Africa, which means likely in Lesotho. It appears that the rainy season is happening there for the first time in four or five years. May make it bit gloomy but a *very good thing* since there has been a drought for so long. Should do wonders for the grazing and for reducing soil erosion.
Thought I would mention in more detail what I hope to do when I arrive there. I have to talk to the principal to see if these are ok with him and he may have other tasks for me to undertake.
At 'Mamohau:
1. Helping the teachers in any way possible. This may involve suggestions about alternative teaching methods (lesson planning, evaluation, discipline, feedback to students, etc)
2. Trying to improve the support that students get when they are having academic problems (apparently very common). The teachers are very much over-burdened since the classes tend to be around 70 or so. It is very hard for them to provide much help. I will be doing direct tutoring, but also trying to set up peer tutoring so that this might continue when I am gone. In particular, I will be helping with math, science and geography.
3. Working to organize sports programs. I am bringing numerous balls (mainly soccer - I have to learn to say 'football' here) that are used but still have lots of life. They certainly are better than the ones the kids make from rags and string. I also have four sets of shirts (thanks Pearson Ed, AY Jackson and Peter and Pat) for the kids to wear when we have the:
World Cup 2006 Lesotho.
Actually there will be two - one for boys and one for girls. I hope enough kids want to play that we can have all the countries (geography tie-in here). We will use the same structure as the World Cup. The number of players per team will be flexible as will game length. Also, from photos I have seen, there is little flat land at the school so it may produce interesting games. I hope at the end of World Cups to have the winning boys team play Lesotho (teachers) and the girls play Canada (the Canadian volunteers are almost all retired and need all the help possible - including attacking downhill I think). I also have some frisbees and will be introducing Ultimate to the mountains of Lesotho. I will see if I can set up running programs as well. Lesotho distance runners have had some success internationally (living at altitude) and I want to see what there is with respect to running and how to encourage it. I hope to do some game organizing at Mahlefekane as well. I have some activity balls and many balloons for that. I also want to set up a sports council to continue with the organization of activities after I leave.
4. AIDS support. There is great denial about AIDS in Lesotho and reluctance to even say the word (like in Harry Potter). I have brought many beads with me including ones with letters and I hope to get kids in the AIDS group (which is small I think) to make bracelets for themselves that say things like 'NO AIDS", 'ABC" (Abstinence, Be faithful, use a Condom - a major campaign slogan in Africa), and 'JSN' (Just Say No, for girls; one of the problems is that the girls do not feel empowered sexually. I also hope to tie the sports program to AIDS prevention but not sure how to do that.
5. Orphan support. There are a number of orphans at Mamohau who are supported financially by someone in Canada. I want to make sure that the kids are communicating regularly with their sponsors.
6. Project support. In this respect, I will be acting on behalf of the school in helping them draft proposals for assistance from helplesotho.ca. This could involve making sure that grant proposals are clear and complete and aimed to address major problems at the school. It also will involve making sure that financial accountability is stressed, both in making proposals and in monitoring and reporting on spending. I may be trying to help the principal at Mahlefekane find out why the promised building addition at her school has not happened. The purpose of this proposal is to get the classes out of the tent they are in and into a proper building. I know nothing more about this problem than what I have said here.
Anyway, these should all keep me busy for the months to come and I will report back with progress (he said hopefully!)
Not sure when I will be adding to this. Have to figure out the vagaries of Internet in Lesotho.
Bruce
