Public Speaking...Fear no more

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Yesterday I took another trip to Kakamega to teach parents of deaf children sign language. This time we had a meeting and we got some things accomplished. Though no parents arrived on time, an hour late, we had a successful meeting. When we finally got to a room to start teaching. We learned early on that one of the parents had not attended the meeting last and did not know the alphabet. My colleague, Shikuku, took the lone gentlemen outside and taught him the alphabet while I was in the room with the remaining 5 women. I did not have anything planned to teach. I first taught them signs for cities in Kenya. I would give the sign and they would then guess the correct city and then finger spell the correct answer. These ladies were very smart. I moved on the animal signs and family. I felt a little embarrassed that I was ill prepared. One thing I don’t like is going to into teaching and not being prepared. All in all the meeting worked out just fine.

During this past week I was asked by my deputy to teach Sunday school at his church. That was something I wanted to do and did not give really a second thought about doing so. I planned a short lesson about judgement day and the sheep and the goats. The kids seemed to like the lesson and also the song I taught them, “This little light of mine.” I have learned that most of the songs sung by kenyans are very simple with very short verses. This song was also short which I chose on purpose. After Sunday school was finished a few of the kids were singing the song.

The deputy then asked if I would go into the service and introduce myself, I obliged. After nearly 20 minutes, the assistant pastor/deputy asked if I would say a few words. I stood up and said, “God is good, All the Time and All the time God is good.” I went on on say that I am teaching at mumias primary deaf school. I will be teaching there for 2 years. I have found the kenya people beautiful, caring and kind. (Before I arrived in kenya/started teaching, I would have been terrified about speaking infront of a congregation. But I was not scared at all. Thankful for that.

I think since I am an american and it is assumed that all americans have money that they will contribute to any cause. I was asked and then basically informed that I was going to bring my church family from america to do a mission work at this church. And that I was going to bring a camera and video next week so that I will show my church back home so they will be more inclined to come. Isn’t it nice, when things are just imposed.

Last week I found a church I really liked. When I arrived there were only 4 people there, including the pastor. I arrived thinking the service was over, but I was mistaken, it had just began. For the next hour or we had church. Wow. It was refreshing to hear the word preached. There was no musical instruments or sound systems only: building, benches-4, and a podium. I can’t wait to go back there. During the service I was asked to lead in a song, I thought…and came up with Holy, Holy, Holy. I sang and the 4 other men joined in. They were appreciative and want me to teach them more american songs.

Most of my evenings are very similar, I cook a large meal that usually has lots of left overs and then spend roughly 2 hours spending time with my students. Since I live on the school compound access and interaction with students is always available. Every evening from 7-9 pm all the students are required to go and sit in their class rooms and read their books and do home work. Their homework is done during the day and returned to the teachers office for grading. And reading consists of looking at pictures. The latter I find very interesting. When I am spending time with them they will turn page after page and sign, “eaten finished.” Some things I have eaten, but for example, snakes, parrots, and rats just to name a few are not ones I have partaken. I spend my time in 2 classes, math and social studies. In light of the fact I really like teaching math I incorporate it into those two hours. A few days ago I made multiplication flash cards for numbers 1-9. The kids really enjoy guessing the correct. What they don’t know is that the more we practice the better they will get. It is good to see when they are able to come up with an answer with out looking at their multiplication chart.

I have noticed there are several things that I could get my hands in for secondary projects. The school needs to use the 3 computers that they have. I know for sure that one of them works, I plugged it in myself. I was told before hand that it had died. Really all it needed was multiple outlet surge protector. Time will tell with this project. The computers are currently being moved out of the library into another room at the school. I am not sure how or what this will look like.

Another possibility is fixing the water tanks. There is no consistent “tap” therefore the water runs out frequently. Keeping your own stash of water on hand at your house is very important. On the school grounds there are 3 large water storage containers, 1000 Liters each. A volunteer before established and had a system working but now it needs to be reassessed. For roughly March through August there is constant rain. It is a shame for the water to not be used. There are “gutters” that catch the rain and funnel it to the large storage tanks. The issue comes in when the connection between gutters and the tank is disconnected or broke. This project seems like a very “simple” one to address. The tanks are in good condition but need to be cleaned out and closed up. I am asking around to find out more about the steps that need to be taken to get it down.

One day last week I was low on water so I made a trip with my two 10 liter buckets to the river. When I arrived there were 10 pupils there washing their clothes and one boy was taking a bath. He was embarrassed and did not know what to do when he saw two mama’s walking by, it was somewhat humorous.

I look forward to teaching P.E. And the kids also look forward to the class. I refuse to copy the other teachers when it comes to p.e. Since it is something I enjoy, I try and do things a little different. Right now I am teaching them how to play volleyball. You may think that they my class 5 kids know how to play since they play everyday after school, normally only the class 7 and 8 kids. There are so many things I want to teach them but my time is so limited. The instruction for skills is at the beginning. I know really all they want to do is play a game. Once we go over a few fundamentals, I let them have fun by playing. I join in also.

Next term I want to start a physical fitness test with my pe class. I remember growing up and having various activities that tested your abilities. For example: sit ups, push ups, sit and reach, running, jumping etc. I am going to have a poster in their class with their names and the activity with the results. At this point I don’t know how often I will do this, 1, 2 or 3 times a week. It should be something that continues throughout the year.

Kenya Time

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Another instance of Africa time and American time.

Today it was planned that I was to meet a teacher from my school here in Kakamega at 10 am. We were meeting to teach parents of deaf children at our school sign language so that they can better communicate with their children. It is really good to see that their are teachers here at Mumias Primary School for the Deaf that are teaching parents. As well that their are parents who are wanting to learn sign language.

I left this morning at 7:30 and arrived at 8:30. I wanted to get their in plenty of time so I could do some errands I really needed to do before the meeting. One thing I needed was unlock mpesa account on my phone so I could add money and thus use my phone. I accomplished that with little trouble. Well maybe not little. Finding it...yah yah yah. There is nothing like asking 5 people and they give you different directions but all are in the same general directions. Finally, after I had walked for an hour and came full circle to where I started I asked a couple that I was passing. I was looking for some help. Isn’t it nice when you are looking for help and you ask another tourist. But it worked out good because he was able to speak Kiswahili to another gentlemen that was walking by. The tourist couple, who was from Nairobi, translated the man’s answer so I could find the Safaricom Care Center. Once I arrived at the building, I looked around and noticed that I had walked down that street not to long ago.

Also, during my time in the safaricom care center I also was looking at getting another phone. It has been suggested to purchase a backup cheap phone. Why you may ask, incase the primary one gets stolen or stops working it is good to have one. I did not buy the phone, but was comparing prices.

After my trip to the safaricom store, I took a walk through the market. Wow. It was pretty much 4 times larger than mumias. People, fruit, vegetables, clothes and everything else was laid out to be seen. Among the foods that are not normally in Mumias were corn on the stock and pumpkin. It is still amazing that virtually every seller sells the same thing.

Kakamega market

President Kibaki and President Barack Obama
(most if not all business have portraits of President Kibaki but this rare one had Obama as well).

Normally their are hens, goats or cows eating food scraps left in the street. This was the first pig i have seen in Kenya.

I then notice that it is time to meet my teacher for the meeting. I text my colleague to say that I was going to be a few minutes late, Pole (I am sorry). I go to where we are supposed to meet and ask around where we are supposed to meet. I asked what seemed like 10 different people and none of them knew. I was told to just wait as they go and look. I waited and waited. No one find out anything useful besides telling me I don’t know.

I met a lady who is also at the school and she suggested that I could wait with her. She was attending a seminar/lecture for teachers with HIV. I sat and listened to the various lectures who basically said, that your status as being infected with HIV will not change so you should live your life. You have a huge responsibility as a teacher, and thus should be your focus. I never really knew before I arrived here how big hiv/aids among every walk of life really is. Sex is normal and rampant. The act is not the problem, but the lack of protection, limited partners and abstinence. Those are the three main messages that are preached among Africans. Even though people know this information they don’t take the necessary steps.

As I mentioned, I arrived at the meeting place a little late. I waited another 2 hours before the other teacher arrived. If I knew he was going to be late I could have spent more time at the market or doing various other things. Even though I know about africa time, I forgot today for some reason. Maybe next time, i should ask if the meeting is on America time or Kenya time.

After we had a brief meeting with the parents because there was only 5 parents, there are normally 20-30. There might be a meeting next Saturday; I will wait and see.

Once the short meeting was over I visited a RPCV (Returned Peace Corps Volunteer) who now lives in Kakamega. He did his service in Tanzania and COS (Completion of Service) November of 2009. He was first assigned to Kenya, but because of the violence of the election in 2007 he was moved to tanzania where he stayed for 2 years. It was nice hearing his stories of his travels and his experience as a peace corps volunteer. There is definitely a bond amongst PCVs.

On my way back to the matatu station I wanted to stop by the supermarket to see if they had a rocking chair. Of course they don’t. I was disappointed. I picked up a few things while I was there such as more spices and a food grater. One of these days I am going to get a rocking chair. Also I would really like a hammock, either bought or made.