Saturday, November 18, 2006
My last blog press out of Africa
The future:
Phillip Mvula, the Assitant Director and a very articulate fellow and a good friend (except when it comes to chocolate) will continue this blog and will share blogging with Mary and Bob during their stay here, Jan-June 07. So it will be lively, informative and from several perspectives. I am looking forward to reading it.
Currently:
I am trying to live in both my worlds simultaneously, aware of the problems of both but with the benefits of neither. Well, thats not quite true. I did enjoy emswa (fried termites) just yesterday and I still have a few USA snacks from the generosity of friends at home.
Looking back:
I came about 10 months ago. One wonders if I have done any good here, anything lasting. Have I justified the expense it took to get and 'keep' me here? Have I taught anything worthwhile? Ms. Mwanza and I have often talked about how much the children forget. I never realized how much forgetting is involved in education.
Recently came across the statement (I think from Ithaca UU newsletter) to the effect that: Caring/kindness is more important than wisdom. So perhaps the kids learned that there are people that care for them who will pay to send someone to them who perhaps is kinder than he is wise.
Maybe the time spent playing with kids was more important than any facts that might have stuck. Ph, and may be the importance of a good sense of humor-
Last night two teenage boys, John and Wisdom came to my room, knelling on the floor to show respect and started laying K50,000 bills on my bed.
"Whats this for?" I ask.
"Sir, we want to show you how much we appreciate you." The bills keep coming.
"Did you guys rob a bank? Where did this come from?"
"No sir, this is for you." Very serious looks.
Finally there is K300.000 on my bed. "I can't take this and I can't [was afraid to] imagine where this came from."
After stringing me on for a little longer, they confessed that Uncle Phillip had given them the Egg Money to pass on to me for Saturday morning purchase. Uncle Sam received his due, they'd pulled his leg expertly.
Soon to be out of Africa,
Sam
Phillip Mvula, the Assitant Director and a very articulate fellow and a good friend (except when it comes to chocolate) will continue this blog and will share blogging with Mary and Bob during their stay here, Jan-June 07. So it will be lively, informative and from several perspectives. I am looking forward to reading it.
Currently:
I am trying to live in both my worlds simultaneously, aware of the problems of both but with the benefits of neither. Well, thats not quite true. I did enjoy emswa (fried termites) just yesterday and I still have a few USA snacks from the generosity of friends at home.
Looking back:
I came about 10 months ago. One wonders if I have done any good here, anything lasting. Have I justified the expense it took to get and 'keep' me here? Have I taught anything worthwhile? Ms. Mwanza and I have often talked about how much the children forget. I never realized how much forgetting is involved in education.
Recently came across the statement (I think from Ithaca UU newsletter) to the effect that: Caring/kindness is more important than wisdom. So perhaps the kids learned that there are people that care for them who will pay to send someone to them who perhaps is kinder than he is wise.
Maybe the time spent playing with kids was more important than any facts that might have stuck. Ph, and may be the importance of a good sense of humor-
Last night two teenage boys, John and Wisdom came to my room, knelling on the floor to show respect and started laying K50,000 bills on my bed.
"Whats this for?" I ask.
"Sir, we want to show you how much we appreciate you." The bills keep coming.
"Did you guys rob a bank? Where did this come from?"
"No sir, this is for you." Very serious looks.
Finally there is K300.000 on my bed. "I can't take this and I can't [was afraid to] imagine where this came from."
After stringing me on for a little longer, they confessed that Uncle Phillip had given them the Egg Money to pass on to me for Saturday morning purchase. Uncle Sam received his due, they'd pulled his leg expertly.
Soon to be out of Africa,
Sam
