Friday, May 20, 2011

Rewarded in Rwanda

(I am having trouble posting pictures, but wanted you to know what is going on. I promise photos as soon as possible!)


Back in the room, listening to the rain outside, we are resting after completing our 3rd day of teaching. We teach the same 4 classes each day. Each class is  an hour and 20 minutes long, followed by a 20 minute break before we move to the next class. A 2 hour lunch/rest time breaks up our day, then back to the school for the next 2 classes, with 20 minutes between. We try to leave our classes a little before the students are dismissed for their break (recess). If we wait too long and are out in the school yard when the kids come out, we are swarmed. Every child wants to touch or shake hands with us. Some want to feel our hair. It is heartwarming to hear them call “Teacher Judy” or repeat some of the phrases we have been teaching. Their affection is sweet and genuine.
The children play in the schoolyard with little restraint. Their entertainment is provided by an empty water bottle or a homemade ball (rags rolled together and secured by rubberbands), to simulate soccer. There are clapping games and dancing games and children running and falling down. It reminds me so much more of my childhood than anything I have seen since. The ground is dusty and so are the children, but they really don’t care. There are smiles on almost every little face. Most of those little faces look at us adoringly.







There are lives I can imagine without children but none of them have the same laughter and noise.

1 comment:

  1. This is such a wonderful post, Teacher Judy. Don't avoid that playground too often.

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