Doin' my homework

I realize I haven't written since I began the blog on November 14. I certainly have thought about it often. But I've had so much to do to prepare for this adventure, I've been thankful I'm retired! No way could I have been teaching full time and doing the research. What research you wonder? Many different things. My latest helpful endeavor is reading the blogs of Peace Corp volunteers in The Gambia. Those young folks volunteer for two years, not a measly three months! Most of them actually tough it out and develop their own rhythm for life there. 

I guess I should start at the beginning. What am I doing? I have volunteered to teach at the Makumbaya Lower Basic School. Although the school is only one mile from the end of the runway of the only airport in the country, the village and school have no electricity or plumbing! Luckily, the British non-profit with whom I am volunteering did dig a well at the school. 

There are 12 classrooms in the school whose pupils are from seven to twelve years old. Because there are over 600 students (from many surrounding villages) there must be two rotating shifts. Some students attend from 8:30 to 1:30. The others come from 2:00 to 6:00. Because this is a Muslim country, there is no school on Friday afternoons. That's why the children rotate their time in school. Although NOTHING can be stated as absolute before I actually get there, it seem that I've been asked to teach English and Math to grades 3, 4, 5, and 6. I can't imagine what the afternoon sessions will be like in 90+ degree heat! MondoChallenge has also asked me to incorporate drumming and more music into the classroom. I'll see what that means when I get there. I'm also hoping to use folk tales from West Africa in the English instruction. Those who know me know that I've been active in theatre for years and established and ran a children's theatre for the last seven years of my career. I'm hoping some of those folk tales become productions. Perhaps that will help the story remain in the minds of some of the villagers.