So I have been living in Mozambique, Africa for 22 months now. I can hardly believe it myself. I remember arriving in Mozambique and thinking that time was going to drag and it would feel like I would be living here forever. Today, that is not so true. Don't get me wrong. I believe we all have days here where we want to jump on the next plane out of here, but for me, I have a lot of moments where it will be very hard to leave.
My first year, I was ready to leave this place. Getting terrorized for 8 months can do that to a person; but I will always love the site I started out in. My roommate and I were the first volunteers at the site so it was really cool, but we didn't realize the hardships that came with that. I created a boys and girls club there that is still operating today without me and I couldn't be more proud. It is the main reason I have been trying to stay, but safe housing has been an obstacle. I would love to go back and really try and develop this club. I worked with Boys & Girls Club of the East Valley in Arizona before I came to Mozambique and it was the most life changing experience. Until that point, I didn't realize the effect I had on kids and teens. I know I wasn't the only one who was changing attitudes of kids in the club but I knew I was a part of something big. I loved seeing kids who were uninterested in things, suddenly participate and enjoy activities and really get something out of that activity.
I could honestly complain on and on about the education system here in Mozambique and honestly I am tired of complaining to myself about how much I dislike the system here, but I started to realize recently, that it is just not about the information I am giving the class, but about how I present the information and just my presence, in general, in the classroom. In my opinion the typical Mozambican classroom is very stiff and uninviting. I may not be the best teacher but I try and make my classes inviting and fun. I don't want them to be afraid of making mistakes and then be insulted about it. I try and make it fun and open and safe! I think kids thrive more on that freedom! I experienced it a lot while working with Boys & Girls Club! I love the freedom I have when it comes to influencing kids positively. I have four months left here in Mozambique and honestly I am ready to head back to the U.S. and just lay everything I have learned out there, but there is always going to be a part of me that stays here in Mozambique with my students and my friends that I met along the way. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity that I have been given and I hope that I can share that opportunity with everyone that is interested.
Thank you again for all of your support and encouragement! Please check out bgca.org on ways you can help out your community! Cheers!
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Ummm...Was That A Car?
So this post is going to be short. I just wanted to get a couple things written down before I forget. Yesterday I had come back from my morning art class and was working on some things on the laptop, when my roommate and I heard this loud pop sound. We thought it might have been a car but then we heard it again pretty close to our house. "Dude, that was definitely gunshots!" I said. We slowly peer out the door and seeing children and people walking over to the bush area. Arden decided to try and find out what was going on. All I could think was, 'I wish I would have packed a bulletproof vest.' Here is what she found out. A guy robbed some house and the cops were close to catching him then he fled and they shot two shots at him, with a bunch of pedestrians around, mind you. This all happened about 200 feet from our house. We don't think they caught the guy and we also don't think anyone got shot, thank God!
Later that afternoon I had to teach math. I was giving them a test. Being the nice teacher that I am and the fact that their homework grades for the past two weeks were atrocious, I let them take the test home and do it there. I don't know what my deal was but I was in a goofy mood. It could have been the fact that I don't have to teach Thursdays and Fridays so technically Wednesday is my Friday. I was having a lot of fun with the kids. One of the girls in my class, Agnecia, a very sweet girl, went out and bought me an orange! It was so nice. Here, students give teachers oranges and mangos, apparently, and not apples. They actually don't give teachers anything because they are too scared of their teachers a majority of the time. I felt special. I like bonding with the kids because I know even though I am not the best teacher, maybe I could still make a difference outside of the classroom that has nothing to do with my teaching.
Lastly, this morning I hitchhiked my way to the city of Gurue to do some shopping and get online. I was down at the vegetable market, when a gentleman came up to me with a photo album and a picture of me in it. Creepy, right?! A few months ago, I had been in the city when the former President came to visit. I got stuck in the city for awhile and as I was trying to leave, I got "kidnapped", by a group of woman hanging at a bar. "Filha! Anda ca! (Daughter! come here!)" I ended spending the afternoon drinking with a group of feisty Mozambican women and didn't know there was a town photographer, who was documenting our good time. You better believe I bought that picture off the guy! The last thing I need here is all these people knowing how fun and cool I am. I am already hounded by kids all the time. I do not need the adults following suit.
That is all for now. Stay cool!
Later that afternoon I had to teach math. I was giving them a test. Being the nice teacher that I am and the fact that their homework grades for the past two weeks were atrocious, I let them take the test home and do it there. I don't know what my deal was but I was in a goofy mood. It could have been the fact that I don't have to teach Thursdays and Fridays so technically Wednesday is my Friday. I was having a lot of fun with the kids. One of the girls in my class, Agnecia, a very sweet girl, went out and bought me an orange! It was so nice. Here, students give teachers oranges and mangos, apparently, and not apples. They actually don't give teachers anything because they are too scared of their teachers a majority of the time. I felt special. I like bonding with the kids because I know even though I am not the best teacher, maybe I could still make a difference outside of the classroom that has nothing to do with my teaching.
Lastly, this morning I hitchhiked my way to the city of Gurue to do some shopping and get online. I was down at the vegetable market, when a gentleman came up to me with a photo album and a picture of me in it. Creepy, right?! A few months ago, I had been in the city when the former President came to visit. I got stuck in the city for awhile and as I was trying to leave, I got "kidnapped", by a group of woman hanging at a bar. "Filha! Anda ca! (Daughter! come here!)" I ended spending the afternoon drinking with a group of feisty Mozambican women and didn't know there was a town photographer, who was documenting our good time. You better believe I bought that picture off the guy! The last thing I need here is all these people knowing how fun and cool I am. I am already hounded by kids all the time. I do not need the adults following suit.
That is all for now. Stay cool!
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
8 Months To Go....
It is crazy to think I have only 8 months left in my service. Some days I feel like I just got here and other days I feel like I have been here forever. It has been one crazy ride! I haven't posted in a long time so I will try and some up my life since the last post.
I went back to the states for Christmas and New Year's. It was a lot of fun and I got to spend a lot of time with friends and family. Before heading to the states, I was worried about not wanting to return to Mozambique, but the cold and snow took care of that thought! I was actually surprised that I was ready and wanting to come back to Moz. I had a crazy first year. After returning to Mozambique my group had our Mid-Service Conference. A week of medical stuff! It was great seeing my whole group together again! Mozambique welcomed me back with flooding, destroyed bridges and roads, and noooooo electricity. Bridges are still not repaired in my area so traveling is difficult. We have one road that we can take and it is dirt so you can imagine all the fun we have with all the rain we have been receiving. Energy is finally back but weak.
School started back up. I am teaching 9th grade Math and 8th grade Art. It is nice teaching different subjects. I don't have to speak English and focus on improving my Portuguese. I only have classes Monday-Wednesday so I am going to enjoy my four day weekends this year and try and travel a little more...if it ever stops raining.
We got a kitten. A black one and named it Professor Buttercup! She is a beast! She has already gotten two mice and few lizards. It has been a great investment and nice having another friend around. Buttercup is very playful but also very cuddly. She likes helping us lesson plan and work.
I know this post is short but I can't honestly remember everything that has been happening. My life has become somewhat normal if you can believe. I feel like I am home and I never thought I would get to this point here. I am starting to freak out a little about going back to the states. What am I going to do? Where am I going to end up? These questions will eventually work themselves out but in the mean time, I am stressing out! I like the simple life I am living here.
Thank you all for you continued support and encouragement! Hugs!
I went back to the states for Christmas and New Year's. It was a lot of fun and I got to spend a lot of time with friends and family. Before heading to the states, I was worried about not wanting to return to Mozambique, but the cold and snow took care of that thought! I was actually surprised that I was ready and wanting to come back to Moz. I had a crazy first year. After returning to Mozambique my group had our Mid-Service Conference. A week of medical stuff! It was great seeing my whole group together again! Mozambique welcomed me back with flooding, destroyed bridges and roads, and noooooo electricity. Bridges are still not repaired in my area so traveling is difficult. We have one road that we can take and it is dirt so you can imagine all the fun we have with all the rain we have been receiving. Energy is finally back but weak.
School started back up. I am teaching 9th grade Math and 8th grade Art. It is nice teaching different subjects. I don't have to speak English and focus on improving my Portuguese. I only have classes Monday-Wednesday so I am going to enjoy my four day weekends this year and try and travel a little more...if it ever stops raining.
We got a kitten. A black one and named it Professor Buttercup! She is a beast! She has already gotten two mice and few lizards. It has been a great investment and nice having another friend around. Buttercup is very playful but also very cuddly. She likes helping us lesson plan and work.
I know this post is short but I can't honestly remember everything that has been happening. My life has become somewhat normal if you can believe. I feel like I am home and I never thought I would get to this point here. I am starting to freak out a little about going back to the states. What am I going to do? Where am I going to end up? These questions will eventually work themselves out but in the mean time, I am stressing out! I like the simple life I am living here.
Thank you all for you continued support and encouragement! Hugs!
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