Sunday, November 21, 2010
A Night in a Black Township
Different terms are used here to describe different groups of people. It has been very hard to get use to "coloured" which describes anyone of mixed race. Another challenge is the reference of black to mean mainly the Xhosa people. The Xhosa have a long history in South Africa and are of the Bantu. Their language is very distinct because it has "click" sounds. The beginning of Xhosa is a click.
The Xhosa are not well respected and very few people wander into the townships where they tend to live. They are often blamed for the high crime and other problems in the area.
So - venturing into the township on a Saturday was sure to be an adventure.
Gary (white South African of British and Afrikaans background) drove us there and was a bit nervous about the whole thing. I tended to follow the advice of his wife, Bonnie (Coloured), who said all would be ok.
We stopped at the first club, a small bar where people were crowded around the tv showing a cricket game. We walked in and yes, everyone stared. We found a table and ordered a drink but not soon after sitting down, we were approached by a man who invited us to sit with him and his friends. We joined them and had a good time chatting and getting to know each other.
Leaving after approx. an hour, we drove to another club where again, everyone was gathered around tv screens. This club was larger and so we got even more stares. It never fails though, someone always approaches with a smile and a thank you for taking time to visit. We soon met several more local Xhosa people and ended the evening with new friends.
To me, it is always worth the time to find people and make an effort to establish communication. The more we learn about each other, the easier we get along.
The Xhosa are not well respected and very few people wander into the townships where they tend to live. They are often blamed for the high crime and other problems in the area.
So - venturing into the township on a Saturday was sure to be an adventure.
Gary (white South African of British and Afrikaans background) drove us there and was a bit nervous about the whole thing. I tended to follow the advice of his wife, Bonnie (Coloured), who said all would be ok.
We stopped at the first club, a small bar where people were crowded around the tv showing a cricket game. We walked in and yes, everyone stared. We found a table and ordered a drink but not soon after sitting down, we were approached by a man who invited us to sit with him and his friends. We joined them and had a good time chatting and getting to know each other.
Leaving after approx. an hour, we drove to another club where again, everyone was gathered around tv screens. This club was larger and so we got even more stares. It never fails though, someone always approaches with a smile and a thank you for taking time to visit. We soon met several more local Xhosa people and ended the evening with new friends.
To me, it is always worth the time to find people and make an effort to establish communication. The more we learn about each other, the easier we get along.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Field Trip
Today we took the students in my Montessori training program on a field trip to visit a preschool across town. The school serves children ages 2 through 6. Most of the children are from a nearby township and are of the Xhosa tribe. The Xhosa have a challenging life here, usually quite poor and not accepted by others. The school has over 300 students. The older children are 24 - 36 in a room while the toddlers are 18 - 24 in a room. Each room has one teacher.
The layout of the school was nice. Freshly painted and in good repair. The rooms are medium sized and very bare except for a few things on the walls. The material for the children is kept in a cabinet and the teacher decides what to bring down for the children at what time. The teachers work on letters and numbers with all the children at the same time.
Soon after we arrived, the older children went outside to play. Approximately 200 children were outside all at the same time. The staff, few that there were, sat and watched while the children ran and played. It was a bit chaotic and soon, we each found ourselves surrounded by little ones, holding our hand or giving a hug. I was very proud of my students as some of them organized a quick game or sang songs with the children. Again, the staff watched.
The school ran on a tight schedule, even down to bathroom time. Toilet paper was handed to the children as they were marched to the bathrooms. At lunch, toddlers were lined up and fed, two staff for 28 young ones.
Amazingly, the children (when with the staff) were well mannered and attentive. When left alone, they proceeded to jump from chairs and tables, kick each other and run.
This is one of the better early childhood programs in the city.
The layout of the school was nice. Freshly painted and in good repair. The rooms are medium sized and very bare except for a few things on the walls. The material for the children is kept in a cabinet and the teacher decides what to bring down for the children at what time. The teachers work on letters and numbers with all the children at the same time.
Soon after we arrived, the older children went outside to play. Approximately 200 children were outside all at the same time. The staff, few that there were, sat and watched while the children ran and played. It was a bit chaotic and soon, we each found ourselves surrounded by little ones, holding our hand or giving a hug. I was very proud of my students as some of them organized a quick game or sang songs with the children. Again, the staff watched.
The school ran on a tight schedule, even down to bathroom time. Toilet paper was handed to the children as they were marched to the bathrooms. At lunch, toddlers were lined up and fed, two staff for 28 young ones.
Amazingly, the children (when with the staff) were well mannered and attentive. When left alone, they proceeded to jump from chairs and tables, kick each other and run.
This is one of the better early childhood programs in the city.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
The Day Starts Early
The day starts early. The family I'm staying with is currently living in their Montessori school. They have two rooms at the back of the school and share the kitchen and the bathrooms with the staff and children. In order to have personal time in the bathroom, you have to get up before the first child arrives (this can be as early as 6:15) or else you may have a visitor wandering in to see what you are doing. Actually, the arrangement works well. I don't know how many times I've wished I had a bed at my school when I was working late.
The school, City Montessori, is like a huge family. Every child who walks through the door is greeted warmly and made to feel like the day is ready to begin now that he or she has arrived. There is a 4 month old baby, Skylar, who is passed around all day - being held and loved by every adult. One of the children's grandma spends most of her days at the school, helping out by being a warm lap for a child. Everyone pitches in with anything that is needed. It is beautiful to see -
There is definitely a lesson to learn from City Montessori. There is something special here and I'm not sure if I can put it into words at this point. Whatever it is, it works!
The school, City Montessori, is like a huge family. Every child who walks through the door is greeted warmly and made to feel like the day is ready to begin now that he or she has arrived. There is a 4 month old baby, Skylar, who is passed around all day - being held and loved by every adult. One of the children's grandma spends most of her days at the school, helping out by being a warm lap for a child. Everyone pitches in with anything that is needed. It is beautiful to see -
There is definitely a lesson to learn from City Montessori. There is something special here and I'm not sure if I can put it into words at this point. Whatever it is, it works!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Day One
The Montessori training started today and I am lucky to have some wonderful women in the program.
All came eager to learn and were already asking questions. This is good and makes for a great class. I've heard we're to have more join us tomorrow.
I did quite well at adapting to the African way of doing things - like not knowing how many students in the program until I actually started talking, not preparing the room until 10 minutes before, having no paperwork to hand out (no copier at the school), little faces peeking through the door throughout the day - a good lesson in not freaking out! But I suppose this is why I love being in Africa. The lifestyle is slower and more suitable to me. The more I visit, the more I need to return. Africa tends to do that to people ...
All came eager to learn and were already asking questions. This is good and makes for a great class. I've heard we're to have more join us tomorrow.
I did quite well at adapting to the African way of doing things - like not knowing how many students in the program until I actually started talking, not preparing the room until 10 minutes before, having no paperwork to hand out (no copier at the school), little faces peeking through the door throughout the day - a good lesson in not freaking out! But I suppose this is why I love being in Africa. The lifestyle is slower and more suitable to me. The more I visit, the more I need to return. Africa tends to do that to people ...
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Performance
I'm staying in a Montessori school while here and today (Saturday), the children are performing for their families. A tent has been set up in the backyard and the children are arriving. Just like children everywhere, they can hardly contain themselves for all the excitement!
There should be close to 200 people for the performance and each family is bringing food for afterward. My favorite - a potluck! Except this potluck will be like no other with Hindi and Muslim families, Afrikaan and Coloured (an acceptable and much used word to describe anyone of mixed background). The food is going to be incredible! Yep, my fears are coming true - I'm going to return to the US with an extra 20 pounds!
I'm truly hoping Gary and Bonnie don't have any surprises for me like having "The American" give a speech. This happened to me in Kenya once when I had to speak in front of a huge group without warning. Not my thing but hey, will do what I need to do.
Ok - I need to go be social!
There should be close to 200 people for the performance and each family is bringing food for afterward. My favorite - a potluck! Except this potluck will be like no other with Hindi and Muslim families, Afrikaan and Coloured (an acceptable and much used word to describe anyone of mixed background). The food is going to be incredible! Yep, my fears are coming true - I'm going to return to the US with an extra 20 pounds!
I'm truly hoping Gary and Bonnie don't have any surprises for me like having "The American" give a speech. This happened to me in Kenya once when I had to speak in front of a huge group without warning. Not my thing but hey, will do what I need to do.
Ok - I need to go be social!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)