With a new face, comes a new name

As the days pass by, I am constantly seeing new faces and learning a new name. The school’s energy always brightens my day. I am growing closer and closer to the kids in Class 2. There are 13 boys and 5 girls, and all these little monkeys make me think of my little brother, full of energy, always talking and asking questions and occasionally getting out of control. Early mornings and long nights are our way of living here. The teachers give us so much freedom; in some forty minute classes I get to teach a lesson that I created. It’s tiring and I am struggling to keep it to myself. Staying active and being energetic every minute of the day is a challenge. However, I absolutely love my teacher Flora; she is so welcoming and gives me the freedom to teach as I want to. Having been a teacher the past 4 days, I am really seeing the classroom (and just the school in general) a different way. It is so nerve-wracking to stand up there for a couple of seconds without knowing what to say or do, which is why I spend long nights preparing for class. Lesson planning is so much fun but a big challenge, and it is the most important thing that we do here. Today I taught math and spelling and it was super fun. In the afternoon, Ms. G and I played some really fun math games, as well as review games for their test tomorrow. When introducing games and activities the excitement flows through everyone, and it is a constant struggle to keep kids in their seats. It’s hard to feel tired and warm down when surrounded with these perfectly happy students who are eager to soak up energy. 

Yesterday Kevin, Tate, Nicole and, Ms. G went on a home visit. They went to Mr. Kimaro’s house. He has a son, Declan, who is in my class. I have a mental image of what his house looks like, and it’s not pretty. To start, it’s not even a house; it’s hardly even a shack. Mr. Kimaro is one of the most amazing men I know. He works in LOAMO as a teacher. When school is over, he goes to the University of Dar Es Salaam, Arusha Campus, to study Computer Technology. He works long, busy days just to give his family dinner. His family is lucky if they eat 2 meals a day. I got to talk to him about it today, and he told me about the home visit. He said, “I let them come inside to see what I lack.” After hearing some of the things he said I was one hundred percent speechless. Most of the money he makes goes towards paying off his debts, and he has 3 kids in total. The 2 youngest are girls. One is old enough to be in baby class, but they don’t have the money. As sick as I already feel, this just makes it worse.

Mr. Kimaro showed me that life is not handed to you. If you want something bad enough, make it happen. His strength and selflessness opened my eyes, and inspired me to look at the world and the life I have differently.