This makes me feel like we are a charity case! Another experience in humility. I just hope no one feels obligated in any way. We had decided to go ahead & buy the books, but since many people sounded as if they really wanted to be part of this adventure of ours, we thought that we would offer this opportunity:) Really!
I had response from someone asking how to send the money. You do no want to send money here. Cash would never make it; we would not be able to cash a check. Maureen is taking care of our financial business while we are gone, so any contributions could be given to her, deposited in our account & when she receives the bill she will pay it. It's so wonderful, we charge things here & she foots the bill! We have such devoted children!
Thanks, Sam for offering your organizational skills.
Just sort of a funny story. Jim has had alot of trouble w/ his Grade 5 learners (English). Today as I was working in the staff room (don't picture anything too great!), I heard him holler "I said sit down & be quiet! How many times do I have to tell you?!" We have been talking about various techniques to address this issue, so I knew he was at the end of his rope. I went to his class, the learners politely greeted me, & I simply walked around the room, taking non-English materials from them, giving them the teacher "look", and generally scaring them out of their wits--without saying a word! They were wonderful! The few that came up to his table to ask a question tried to skirt around me, but I stopped them & told them to just sit down & follow his directions. As I left, I told them how Mr. Jim comes home every night & tells me how awful this Grade 5 is, but they seemed quite wonderful to me. Mr. Jim must have something wrong with him if he thinks they are so horrible. Class was almost over, but Jim said they stayed pretty quiet 'til the end & wanted to know if Ms. Sharon was coming back--she was so nice! These children are so cute!!
'til next time,
sharon
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Fundraising effort
Sam here.
I'm hijacking the blog for a quick post to try to make sure that any efforts made for fundraising are organized. I've already talked to a couple people who are wanting/willing to help. A few more phone calls to make, and I'm sure a few things to sort out - but when it gets set I'll gladly post something so that everyone is aware of it.
Until something definite is set in motion, if anyone has questions, feel free to email me at smbka_1@yahoo.com
Monday, February 22, 2010
More from Namibia
I hope everyone is doing well at home. Enjoy the cold for me, please. Yesterday it was 124* F. in the sun. The top so far. Today we received our air conditioner & it's quite lovely--84* feels like heaven.
We still have not found a faith community. Jim met a Coptic Orthodox priest at the grocery store. He stopped by our flat to visit & it was a very interesting time. I did a little research & had high hopes that this would be what we were searching for. We went to Mass Sunday. There were only children there. After awhile not more than 10 adults arrived. While they believe in transubstanciation, the service seemed to be over & Father mingled among the people w/ a plate of flat bread (not flat like our hosts) & tore pieces off to give to people as they chatted. Somehow I invisioned something closer to our Communion. We somehow have to figure a way to get to a nearby town for 7AM mass on the 1st 2 Sundays of the month--it will even be in English!
I will be sending out a mass e-mail, but thought maybe this would be a good venue...many people told us before we left that if there is something we need to let them know. Well, my Grade 8 English class of 40 learners has 13 text books which they share. Their command of English is deplorable. Some days I want to cry. My Grade 6 English class (also 40) is blessed with 18 ( but about 4 of them are an older edition & things have to be adapted for them). We are doing okay in Social Studies (same Grade 6 class) with 2 learners per text. What I would love to do is buy 40 texts for Grade 8. The text that they do have is boring & of course there is no teacher's guide, but I found a test that is much more appropriate for 14 year olds.
I would also love to be able to buy each of my 80 learners their own dictionaries. The library has a few, but of course they are reference books & cannot be checked out. In fact, right now, the librarian is on sick leave & no one is able to use the library (I get books occasionally, but it is risky--there is no quarantee that the learners will return them to me).
So, this is my wish list. Both the textbooks & dictionaries run about $15 each (US $). If there is someone out there who would like to spearhead a fundraiser, that would be great. I don't expect to get all that I want...my first priority is the Grade 8 texts. I believe I will order them soon & figure out the finances later.
Jim bought texts for his Grade 5 English class--they were sharing 2/text & driving him crazy! This class is quite a challenge, & sharing didn't help. My Grade 8 is also a great challenge. I am not saying the texts will make everything wonderful, but I can't believe that they won't make a difference.
I hate asking, but these kids are winning my heart! Some are beginning to confide in me, some are asking questions about class material, some give me the biggest, most beautiful smiles you can ever imagine. And when I discipline them, they still talk in class, leave the room without permission, pass notes, paint their fingernails, tell me 15 min. into the lesson that they left their book at home (meaning that at least one other learner is also without a book!). But I love them,
and don't believe that they are getting a fair shake.
We ran out of internet time a few days ago, & at this rate, we will run out again, soon. So I will sign off. We are very thankful for your prayer support. We have needed each & every prayer---some days we can't even pray for ourselves!
Grateful for you,
sharon
We still have not found a faith community. Jim met a Coptic Orthodox priest at the grocery store. He stopped by our flat to visit & it was a very interesting time. I did a little research & had high hopes that this would be what we were searching for. We went to Mass Sunday. There were only children there. After awhile not more than 10 adults arrived. While they believe in transubstanciation, the service seemed to be over & Father mingled among the people w/ a plate of flat bread (not flat like our hosts) & tore pieces off to give to people as they chatted. Somehow I invisioned something closer to our Communion. We somehow have to figure a way to get to a nearby town for 7AM mass on the 1st 2 Sundays of the month--it will even be in English!
I will be sending out a mass e-mail, but thought maybe this would be a good venue...many people told us before we left that if there is something we need to let them know. Well, my Grade 8 English class of 40 learners has 13 text books which they share. Their command of English is deplorable. Some days I want to cry. My Grade 6 English class (also 40) is blessed with 18 ( but about 4 of them are an older edition & things have to be adapted for them). We are doing okay in Social Studies (same Grade 6 class) with 2 learners per text. What I would love to do is buy 40 texts for Grade 8. The text that they do have is boring & of course there is no teacher's guide, but I found a test that is much more appropriate for 14 year olds.
I would also love to be able to buy each of my 80 learners their own dictionaries. The library has a few, but of course they are reference books & cannot be checked out. In fact, right now, the librarian is on sick leave & no one is able to use the library (I get books occasionally, but it is risky--there is no quarantee that the learners will return them to me).
So, this is my wish list. Both the textbooks & dictionaries run about $15 each (US $). If there is someone out there who would like to spearhead a fundraiser, that would be great. I don't expect to get all that I want...my first priority is the Grade 8 texts. I believe I will order them soon & figure out the finances later.
Jim bought texts for his Grade 5 English class--they were sharing 2/text & driving him crazy! This class is quite a challenge, & sharing didn't help. My Grade 8 is also a great challenge. I am not saying the texts will make everything wonderful, but I can't believe that they won't make a difference.
I hate asking, but these kids are winning my heart! Some are beginning to confide in me, some are asking questions about class material, some give me the biggest, most beautiful smiles you can ever imagine. And when I discipline them, they still talk in class, leave the room without permission, pass notes, paint their fingernails, tell me 15 min. into the lesson that they left their book at home (meaning that at least one other learner is also without a book!). But I love them,
and don't believe that they are getting a fair shake.
We ran out of internet time a few days ago, & at this rate, we will run out again, soon. So I will sign off. We are very thankful for your prayer support. We have needed each & every prayer---some days we can't even pray for ourselves!
Grateful for you,
sharon
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Namibia continued
Well, hello, everyone! We have been busy working on school work & trying to make our living space workable, so little time for anything else.
I will try to catch up a bit. More serious teaching started 1/25, but it found both Jim & I struggling to figure out how to teach English with just a syllabus that gives the results expected, but no plan on how to attack it. I spent many hours trying to get an over-view of the year, then tryling to plan from a couple different text books that I found, then doing what we were told to do "teach from the syllabus" & I am no closer to a good plan than I was 2 weeks ago, We weren't turning in lesson plans since the other teachers weren't but then we were all told we had to & we've been scrambling to back-fill as well as working on the week ahead. Today the principal did an observation on me---I was AWFUL! Really!!! I can hear my mother saying, "now, Sharon, I'm sure it was just fine." and my response from college days "You don't understand! It was terrible!" We had that conversation more than a few times! Only this time...I was truly awful. Jim has his tomorrow & I am sure he will be fine. The one who didn't think that he could teach is doing one crack-up job.
We had some "excitement" this past weekend. For one, even though it is the rainy season, it had not rained for two weeks or more. So, we did the laundry, oblivious of the clouds, & ended up with some of our things getting a second wash, compliments of our loving Lord. And no, we are not going to re-wash them. It is amazing how quickly our standard for cleanliness has changed. No, we are not dirty...just not obsessed. So, with all the water from laundry going into the septic tank, we managed to put it over the top. We had a back-up into our shower. The smell was not nice. Fortunately, the honey-wagon came early Mon. afternoon. In some ways the slower pace here is frustrating, but in other ways we see how things that need to be done are done more quickly than at home. Well, some things.
Jim is out getting a haircut. I can't wait to see. We rarely see other white people in our region, so will a local know how to cut his hair?? We heard a story of a young American teacher, girl, who had her hair cut. The woman pulled it back into a pony tail & cut it off w/ one big clip, asking "that is fine, Miss?" She just paid & ran out of the shop.
We had a power outage a few nights ago. It is DARK here w/ no lights!!! We did have a small flashlight handy, but nothing else. Jim is going to see if he can find a candle or two. We have problems w/ extension cords; we seem to buy faulty ones, & when we try them they blow the circuit in the building (what a way to make friends w/ the neighbors!) We have a total of 3 outlets (and they are not double like you have); we have 13 things to plug in. We pick & choose...the fans & 'frig have top priority.
The heavy rains in Angola are putting a strain on our water processing facilities, so water is turned off from 9pm - 6am, 9am - noon, 2pm - 5pm. We make a mad dash to the bathroom before 9pm, hoping we can make it through the night. Over the weekend, we had water all day long, so, maybe things have changed.
So, we are gradually becoming acclimated to this place. There are many, many, cultural differences. Some I can accept...others, well, I just don't understand. When I think that I am being perfectly reasonable, & make total sense, they just shake their heads. & I can hear them thinking "those crazy Westerners".
Tired of sitting. Time to forage for dinner.
Love hearing from each of you.'
Sharon (& maybe bald Jim)
I will try to catch up a bit. More serious teaching started 1/25, but it found both Jim & I struggling to figure out how to teach English with just a syllabus that gives the results expected, but no plan on how to attack it. I spent many hours trying to get an over-view of the year, then tryling to plan from a couple different text books that I found, then doing what we were told to do "teach from the syllabus" & I am no closer to a good plan than I was 2 weeks ago, We weren't turning in lesson plans since the other teachers weren't but then we were all told we had to & we've been scrambling to back-fill as well as working on the week ahead. Today the principal did an observation on me---I was AWFUL! Really!!! I can hear my mother saying, "now, Sharon, I'm sure it was just fine." and my response from college days "You don't understand! It was terrible!" We had that conversation more than a few times! Only this time...I was truly awful. Jim has his tomorrow & I am sure he will be fine. The one who didn't think that he could teach is doing one crack-up job.
We had some "excitement" this past weekend. For one, even though it is the rainy season, it had not rained for two weeks or more. So, we did the laundry, oblivious of the clouds, & ended up with some of our things getting a second wash, compliments of our loving Lord. And no, we are not going to re-wash them. It is amazing how quickly our standard for cleanliness has changed. No, we are not dirty...just not obsessed. So, with all the water from laundry going into the septic tank, we managed to put it over the top. We had a back-up into our shower. The smell was not nice. Fortunately, the honey-wagon came early Mon. afternoon. In some ways the slower pace here is frustrating, but in other ways we see how things that need to be done are done more quickly than at home. Well, some things.
Jim is out getting a haircut. I can't wait to see. We rarely see other white people in our region, so will a local know how to cut his hair?? We heard a story of a young American teacher, girl, who had her hair cut. The woman pulled it back into a pony tail & cut it off w/ one big clip, asking "that is fine, Miss?" She just paid & ran out of the shop.
We had a power outage a few nights ago. It is DARK here w/ no lights!!! We did have a small flashlight handy, but nothing else. Jim is going to see if he can find a candle or two. We have problems w/ extension cords; we seem to buy faulty ones, & when we try them they blow the circuit in the building (what a way to make friends w/ the neighbors!) We have a total of 3 outlets (and they are not double like you have); we have 13 things to plug in. We pick & choose...the fans & 'frig have top priority.
The heavy rains in Angola are putting a strain on our water processing facilities, so water is turned off from 9pm - 6am, 9am - noon, 2pm - 5pm. We make a mad dash to the bathroom before 9pm, hoping we can make it through the night. Over the weekend, we had water all day long, so, maybe things have changed.
So, we are gradually becoming acclimated to this place. There are many, many, cultural differences. Some I can accept...others, well, I just don't understand. When I think that I am being perfectly reasonable, & make total sense, they just shake their heads. & I can hear them thinking "those crazy Westerners".
Tired of sitting. Time to forage for dinner.
Love hearing from each of you.'
Sharon (& maybe bald Jim)
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