Teaching and Water

So, since we've talked last, Emily and I have fallen into teacher roles more completely. There was one day in Form I when I caught some boys scuffling in the back, and I asked them (in Swahili) what the problem was, and of course they saythere is no problem. But one kid tells me that they were fighting over a pen, so I scold them, and ask them where their work is. Of course they haven't started, so I get my annoyed teacher face on, and ask if they know what they are supposed to be doing. Of course they say yes, so I stand there and wait for one of them to read the directions on the board. Then of course they don't know what they are supposed to be doing, so I make them admit they didn't know what they were doing, and explain, and then walk away, shooting stern glances their way every once in a while.

Then at the end of class, Emily was explaining their assignment, and a lot of students weren't paying attention. I was already annoyed at those boys, so I had had enough. I yelled Sikilizeni! which means listen, and a deafening silence fell. Let me tell you, it felt really good.


In other news, the water tower is working! Now the students don't have to fetch water every day, except as punishment. Emily reeeally wants to start a school garden, and now that we have water it's actually possible so that might be happening in the coming months. Also, we're starting English lessons for the teachers this weekend, and other villagers next week, so our plates are filling up. It will be quite interesting, and I don't really know what to expect from either, but I never really do, and it seems to work out ok for me. :)

It's great getting emails from all of you, even if I don't get a chance to respond. I'll be back in Iringa not this coming saturday, but the following, so you'll hear from me then!