Thursday, 12 September 2013

OMG, I’m meeting Kala


Wednesday morning started off brilliantly. I’m finally getting into a routine of things here; I’m not laughing as I walk to the bus stop because I don’t believe I’m actually here, I’m smoothly getting onto the bus instead of lumbering on with my bag and taking twice as long as everyone else and I’m not feeling like I’m an alien walking round school as everyone stares at me because I’m new.

Strangely, at school today I was offered to take two more responsibilities. The first was having to choreograph and lead a ‘carnival dance’ for my house at sports day (I have no idea why they asked me; I definitely cannot dance). The second was being offered to teach another A-level class: environmental management. I haven’t even got my head around iGCSE chemistry yet, let alone started teaching A-level chemistry!

I turned down the second but somehow didn’t say “no” to the first, so it looks like Makushi House will be dancing up a storm come sports day!

Form 5 geography did their presentations today. They did a brilliant job on the research and one guy led an economic debate on the future of Niger- hero. I’m doing full-page lesson plans for every lesson at the moment. It is taking time (30 mins per lesson) but I think it is really helping; making up for my lack of syllabus knowledge and testing the kids out to see how they work best.


I started my paper register today. These things are an absolute nightmare or bureaucrat’s dream. All the exact shape marks, correct pen type, adding up the ticks and balancing the numbers. Last time in Guyana (I was 18), I tried to battle against all of this stuff. This time I feel different, it is similar to how things are done at schools in the UK and I am just going to immerse myself in it and see how I get on! Maturity sucks eh?!


After school I was lucky enough to arrange dinner with Kala. She looked after us when we were volunteering in Guyana five years ago and still looks after the volunteers now. We went to a gorgeous establishment called ‘OMG,’ complete with tinted windows and seedy bar stools but thankfully, air conditioning. We talked about a training course I am hoping to run with the current volunteers at Christmas and also about visiting their projects to mentor them with their teaching troubles. I am really excited that this might involve a trip to the highly acclaimed village of Orealla (apparently the most beautiful Project in the world).



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