First Day Teaching

After an early start to the day climbing Chapel Hill, we began preparing for our first day of teaching at each of the four elementary schools in Kilema. We started by unpacking all the school supplies from each suitcase and divided them accordingly to the needs of each school. We also organized supplies for the local hospital which we plan to deliver tomorrow morning. Then we were separated into our teaching groups of two and three and started preparing for our lessons. We prepared lessons for English, Geography, and Phys-Ed. We finally departed for our assigned schools after lunch to begin teaching.

Groups will rotate through visiting the four elementary schools around Kilema, all within walking distance of each other, through the week.

Me and Abby visited Mekashi elementary school this afternoon. The students welcomed us by singing and dancing. After meeting with the principal, Sister, and teaching staff we made our way to our seventh grade class to begin our English lesson. The students were extremely attentive and respectful through the entire lesson. The main focus was distinguishing between long and short vowel sounds. Along with a work sheet, we provided examples on the chalk board so that the students could easily follow along. The students were put in groups of 7-8 to work through the provided booklet. The booklet challenged the children, but they were still able to push through, as well as answer most questions correctly.

Grade 7 students at Mekashi Elementary in Kilema.

After we finished presenting our English lesson, we were invited to the upstairs section of the school to have coffee with the principal and Sister. We talked about the education system currently in place in Tanzania. The government has recently made education free to all. However, due to this, Sister voiced concerns over the lack of nutrition for students during their school day especially for those coming from lower income households. Therefore, those children whose families are unable to support them in this way are often left hungry while attending their classes. We also discussed the mandatory exams set in place in Tanzania that all students must pass in order to further their education. Sister explained that exams are completed by each grade every year starting in the first grade. However, students in seventh grade are required to pass their exams in order to be considered as high school students. This sparked more discussion on the shortage of teachers in Tanzania. At Mekashi, the kindergarten class is around eighty students with only one teacher. Also, class sizes for older grades approach the fifties, including the seventh grade class we taught in today, again with only one teacher. This was very eye opening for us as our class sizes are normally much smaller with an even greater number of teachers or educational assistants.

Students at Kilema Elementary during a Phys-Ed lesson

We ended our day with a team meeting discussing the highlights and challenges we faced today. Over the course of the last few days the team has bonded and grew closer to one another. Through the ups and downs we have have continued to build each other up which has made the experience even more enjoyable. So far the team has learned a few Tik Tok dances, sang some John Denver, and of course screamed "BIRCH!" too many times to count. (Aidan, this ones for you).

Sincerely,

Nancy and Karen, aka Ainsley and Abby :)