We Love You So So So Teacher Monica!

I had previously planned to spend 3 weeks volunteering at Golgotha School before we knew how accommodating the clinic would be, so I was keen to meet the kids roomie Monica is so fond of.

Monica has been at Golgotha for the past 3 months and led me into a desolate area of Arusha where the school consisted of 2 cinderblock classrooms and a small dirt yard. I felt so welcome when I entered the staffroom, any friend of Monica’s must be a rafiki. Monica usually floats between Class 1, 2 and 3, sometimes helping out in the 2 baby classes. All the kids dress in smart blue shirts, brown pants and brown jumpers, and upon entering each classroom they all stood in their seats to chant “Good Morning Teacher, How are You?” Your response prompts a chorus of “We are very fine thank-you teacher.”

We were first directed into Class 1 of kids aged 6-8. Golgotha is quite well off and each classroom has a blackboard, chalk and textbooks; the kids have exercise pads and stationary. We practiced simple math, body parts in English (in details such as eyelashes!) and reading basic English sentences – The cat can kill the mouse. The classes are taught in English, and I was surprised to find out that the kids get hit across the hands as punishment for speaking Swahili in class. I’m not an advocate for corporal punishment however it’s clear to see that the children behave impeccably for their teachers as a result. Monica briefly took me on a tour of the baby class – their singing of English songs were the epitome of cuteness. My favourite:

“We love you so so so teacher Monica, oh!

Teacher Monica what a wonder you are”

We found our way into Class 2 of 8&9 year olds where the kids completed exercises in English like sorting animals. I’m so impressed with their conversational English - “Sit next to me teacher!” “Write your name on my book teacher!” “Teacher, let me braid your hair!”For a break, the kids all began to sing and dance around. Influenced so heavily by all the music film clips around, the kids rap convincingly and shake their booties seductively, it’s hilarious.

Golgotha has one of the longest school days I know of (until 4pm), so Monica and I helped dish out lunch of beans and rice. The system is so organized that the kids neatly line up and collect their bowls, no desperate scrabbling here. I sat with the kids and was swarmed when I brought my camera out. They were all gasping when I showed them photos from safari - it’s so bizarre that these kids live only hours from the Serengeti and have never seen an elephant before.

Right out of the science textbook.

Last class of the day was science with Class 2. Teacher Eliza left the classroom and I took the lesson “how to bath and clean your teeth.” In science class.

Safe to say I laid the textbook on the floor and taught what I perceived practical tips on health education that I taught last year in Cambodia. The kids loved hand-washing and each wanted to demonstrate their newfound skills to the class. We walked home entangled with kids, such a sweet day and a sharp contrast to the poverty of Faraja school.