It is funny to see the monks fearing the change in
temperature. I saw Br. Paul wearing a winter jacket yesterday. Dang, the
temperature has dropped, but not that much. I wore my raincoat the other day
(thankfully I brought one because it looks as if I will need it) and I was
sweating in it. I don’t know how some people can wear winter jackets in this
heat.
The rain does cause some problems, though. My long walks are
a little more difficult, but I don’t let the rain stop me. I have a small
draw-string backpack that I bring with me that carries the packs of
cookies/biscuits/crackers (whatever you want to call them) and my raincoat.
However, I feel as if laundry will be a bit more difficult. We rely on the sun
to dry our clothes so hopefully I can find an opening in my Sundays to hang my
clothes to dry.
I have begun to buy multiple kinds of cookies for the kids.
I enjoy handing them out and because I do so I have formed a small possè. I
tend to have 8 to 10 kids follow me for several miles now. I don’t mind, but I
also don’t want them to become accustomed to getting free stuff from the ‘white
guy’. So I make sure to switch up who I give the cookies to and also am
teaching them how to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ in English. Additionally, I
have learned how to say “No more” in Bemba so I can let them know that they
won’t be receiving any more for that day. It is “Inshikweta” (all of my Bemba
spellings are probably wrong, but that’s how it looks in my head). Each kid
gets one cookie, but some try to sneak back in to grab another when I am
handing them out to a large group. I make sure to line them up now so one kid doesn’t
receive more than another.
I was on my walk yesterday when it began to rain. It wasn’t
too bad and I had planned on just walking through it, but Cheen, my Chinese
friend, came by in his pick-up truck. They have one for the construction
workers. He gave me a ride back to the monastery which was about a mile away.
It was nice of him and it was also nice to be in a truck again. He has invited
me to stop by where the construction workers live sometime in the future. I
think that could be fun.
When I asked Cheen where he lived in China he said near
Shanghai. He
said that he actually prefers Zambia, though. I thought that was interesting.
Zambia is wonderful, but I wouldn’t choose it over Minnesota.
I also ran into Cheapo, the 29 year old I used to tutor, and
he has invited me over to his house again. I will be going over to see his
family next Friday around 17 hours (5:00pm). I told him I would bring some
mango juice and cookies for his kids and some paper and pens for him and his
wife. He has been asking for some so I thought I would help out. It’s nice
being invited over by the locals. I am well-known around here now, it seems.
I tested my students on the health and disease unit on
Thursday. A few received 100%’s which made me happy. Many did not, but I have
marked those kids so I can help them study. I told my kids that the best way to
study is by testing yourself. If you ask yourself the question and are able to
conjure up the answer than you know it; if not, then you can go back and review
your notes. It seems to have worked for some kids. I have found that some kids
know English much better than others which obviously puts them at an advantage.
Like any classroom around the world, cheating was taking
place during the test. I try my best to stifle the cheating (take their
notebooks, move kids around, and no talking) but with three to a desk it
becomes almost impossible. My biggest problem with cheating isn’t the cheating
itself. It’s the fact that I won’t know who needs extra help and attention. The
one’s who tend to cheat are the students who don’t know or understand the
information, but because of the cheating still score well enough to slip
underneath my radar. I don’t care what grade they get, but I do care if they
know the information or not.
…and this, my friends, is the biggest problem our grading
system creates. If I went into Lakeville South High School right now and asked
any kid whether they would receive an “A” and not understand the information
well or receive a “C” and receive additional help to completely learn the
material I could guarantee every kid would respond with the first answer. Why?
This is easy. It is because an “A” will get you into a better college. An “A”
will get you a better job. An “A” is highly praised. Now, do we need a system
to measure the intelligence and understanding of our students? Yes and the
grading scale has proved to be the best so far. However, the downfall is that
students do not learn all the information and are not motivated to receive help
if they know all they need to do is work hard enough to receive a decent grade
on a test. This pushes everyone to aim for the grade and not the knowledge. Hence
the problem.
(I’ll try to tackle another one of our society’s downfalls
next week, but onto other things…)
One student named Logic came to me today and asked for some
additional help. I was able to spend a few hours this morning reviewing some
material I have taught this term. I was glad to see that he came to me because
he seemed like one who didn’t care and was just trying to scrape by. However,
at my Frisbee group yesterday I think he finally warmed up to me and felt
comfortable enough to ask for help. He can write in English, but cannot speak
the language very well. So, in order to describe blood sugar regulation I used
some berries from a nearby tree. I had four berries in my hand (too much blood
sugar) and stated that I want only two. I had drawn a diagram in class which he
had in his notes so I used this to help explain what happens when we have too
much blood sugar (release of insulin). Then asked him to state what would
happen to the berries if insulin was released. After some time he was able to
understand that the blood sugar (the berries) would decrease and the blood
sugar would become normal. I must resort to using other means to explain the
material when there is such a strong language barrier. It was a good
experience.
Also, today another student who isn’t in my class has asked
me to help tutor him on Tuesdays. I said I would help out and teach him some
biology at 11:00am on Tuesdays. It seems as if I am becoming known for my
teaching and work in the clinic.
My Frisbee study groups have become more and more popular.
The students seem to love Frisbee and the best part is that it is quite easy
and anyone can do it. Therefore, students who aren’t even in my class have
begun to show up. I love it. I had around 15 kids at my study group yesterday
which is the most I have had so far. I know it’s not a ton, but when you start
with two and now have 15 it’s a success.
Lately, at meals there has been a homemade soft drink. It is
a cloudy, murky brown colored liquid. It is called the Mukoyo drink. It is made
of mukoyo’s and maize (I think…I struggle with understanding what the locals
say sometimes. They say things very fast and mainly in Bemba). Anyways, as I do
with most things I haven’t tried, I tried it. Woof…dang son…it was rough. It is
the local African soft drink which also becomes the local African beer if you
allow it to ferment. Let’s just say that I will be sticking with water from
here on out. The Africans pound the stuff like it’s going out of style, though.
Not sure how they do it, but they seem to enjoy it.
Mukoyo’s fall from trees and are small little round balls
that, if opened up, have multiple seeds inside. Then you suck on the seeds and
spit them out. These taste much better than the drink, but there nothing to
freak about. Additionally, it can be dangerous to collect mukoyos because
snakes also enjoy them. With the rain now falling a lot of the snakes are being
driven out of their holes. They like to feed on the mukoyos and you wouldn’t
want to get caught battling a snake for one.
Finally, the big news around here is that Tanzania has just
elected a Catholic president. The president of Tanzania usually flip-flops
between a Muslim and a Catholic. It used to be a Muslim, but for the next 5
years it will be a Catholic. The population of Tanzania is 50% Christian and
50% Muslim (at least that’s what Prior Nzota told me) and, therefore, the
presidential office usually flops between the two.
Well, it’s Halloween back home so I hope everyone enjoys
their day. Halloween is not a holiday here. Also, happy daylight savings America
- considering you’re one of the only countries that follow it. Mom and Dad,
this will push me 8 hours ahead of you in Minnesota. Just so you know.
Thanks for reading!
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