We learned how to tell time in Swahili. They start the day
at 6:00 a.m. rather than at 12:00 pm. The idea is that the day starts when the
sun rises, and that night begins when the sun sets. So:
6:00 a.m. American time is kumi na mbili asubuhi, or 12:00
in the morning Swahili time.
7:00 a.m. American
time is moja asubuhi, or 1:00 in the morning Swahili time.
8:00 a.m. American time is mbili asubuhi, or 2:00 in the
morning Swahili time.
12:00 p.m. American time is sita mchana, or 6:00 in the
afternoon Swahili time.
7:00 p.m. American time is moja usiko, or 1:00 at night in
Swahili time.
Etc. etc.
I understood it better before PJ explained it, but I still
get it. I think it’s easiest to just imagine the time starting at 6:00 a.m.
rather than translating it from an American clock schedule…or at least I think
so. 6 am it is!
After our training today we went as a big group to two
different bars/restaurants. I tried Redd’s, which is like spiked fruity ginger
ale. We all got dinner, too, which came out a pretty different times since
there were about 40 of us there. I got some fried rice that made me feel sick,
but I’ve been getting sick the past couple days after eating. No fun. We had to
take taxis home (cost 3,000 shillings per person in a group of 4) because the
daladalas don’t run very late. Walking home sketched me out a little, mostly
because the corn rustles in the breeze. Plus the pitch-black just makes me
jumpy.
My host sister was punished tonight, but I’m not sure why. I
had already gone in my room for the night, but I could hear most of it anyway.
Corporal punishment is the norm here, but I’m still not used to it. She was
screaming and pleading, and I will admit I felt unsure of what to do with
myself while it was happening. They took her outside at one point, but I’m not
sure if that was so I wouldn’t have to listen, or if they did that for a
different reason. At training we actually had a pretty lengthy discussion about
corporal punishment (in schools) today as well. Apparently the Peace Corps
doesn’t mind if you hit kids on the head with chalky erasers, but isn’t okay
with you harming or humiliating them. And technically it’s illegal to use
corporal punishment according to the ministry. I’m pretty wary of using any
method that wouldn’t be considered okay in the US…I’m hoping to find a
disciplinary method that I’m comfortable with, that will also work here.
Hopefully I’ll be respected and able to refocus my group when problems arise.
There are a number of challenges here that don’t exist in the US:
1)
Most students don’t have textbooks.
2)
Many students also don’t have their own pens,
pencils, rulers etc. They often toss things about the classroom in order to
share resources.
3)
Reading is not part of the culture here. It
seems as thought most schools don’t have libraries.
4)
Secondary school is taught in English, but most
students don’t speak it well.
5)
Tin roofs = super noisy when it rains. There are
also problems with no lighting on cloudy days (in schools without electricity),
super noisy crows, harsh winds etc.
6)
Many students have to work at home and don’t
have time for homework. Some will even miss classes for this reason, especially
during harvest season.
7)
Classes are huge (average of 50-60 kids, but
some with 80 students).
8)
Students pretend to be unprepared when in truth
they may be disinterested.
9)
Malnutrition and fatigue are common problems
that also affect school performance.
10)
Cheating
is easier because desks are so close together.
I’m tired and feeling ill so off to bed I go!
Usiku mwema! (Good night!)
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