Another warm day today with nice sunshine till it began to chill
around 4.30 and it is quite cold tonight – totally clear skies. Outside at the
moment is the sound of very loud bangers as mainly Hindus celebrate Diwali, a
festival of lights.
Being Monday, the teaching started again and we launch
on the final week. Novelty and that initial buzz has gone and now the qualities
of commitment and dedication are called on to persevere to the end and give
those kids everything we’ve got. Don’t want to have any regrets at the end. We
definitely want to complete the tasks that Providence set for us as regards the
material we should teach eg Class 1 to be able to recognise and use the
prepositions in, on, inside, outside,
under, over. Before we came that seemed very little with the possibility of
completing the task in just one class period. It isn’t that easy. Remember the
kids in KG and Class 1 find it very very difficult to understand an explanation
or direction in English. Need for plenty of objects,of examples,of drawings,
of repetition, of repeating, of taking down and drawing and colouring and then
revising again the following day. .... and then to be somewhat disappointed.
Could be disheartening. But the lads are recognising these facts, are sharing
their experiences and dealing well with the task. The preparation and lesson
plans they work on each evening stand to them. They now realise the need for
detail in those plans and not just headings. One has to be filled with pride
watching all of them in action right till the end of the
day.
Today, I took photos of each one with their various groups –
interrupting their work. The kids were thrilled to gather around for a photo
with their Sirs. Copies of those photos will go to the Sir and to each of the
kids. Faces from the Abbey will be on the walls of those houses we visited and
Providence faces will look down from bedroom walls around Tipp and
Limerick.
Before assembly, at various breaks and after class in the
evening, our 7 are keen to play and bond with the kids from various classes.
Through the language of play they want to tell these kids that they count and
that they are special. Many of the kids arrive in after the 8.30 assembly
having been in buses caught up in total gridlock that happens at school times.
Others, although very small, will have had to work at home before setting out.
Getting to school and learning is just one of the tasks they have to perform
during the day.
Some who missed the visits to the homes last week travelled
today. It’s an important part of the experience to make this journey a few
times. A few of the houses seem adequate but the ones of timber slabs and tin
do shock. We have made the journey on 2 days; they are tiring. But to think of
these kids (much shorter legs than ours) doing that day after day after day in
great heat and in monsoon and still heartily chime up with ‘Good morning,
teachers’ after assembly and apply themselves to the task of learning from 8.30
till 3.45 and then to head back home again in fading light in nothing short of
heroic. They put us to shame. Indeed, we can learn something from
them.
Trades occupy the period from 8.30 till 10.15.We are
involved in just 8 trades but there are many others also.
Motor cycle maintenance training is provided. A group of students remain
in this module for 3 months during trade times. They learn all the usual
servicing and repairing jobs on a
few bikes in that department. He kids like it. Also gardening and electrics.
Another trade we are not involved
in is whole-meal cooking. Led by Class 8, they can produce a full meal with a
varied menu. They can make it Indian or put up less spicy fare What
they produce is tasty and nourishing. We know. Our mid-day meals are prepared by
them and they tick all the boxes.
Tomorrow is Diwali so no classes. It’s a major holiday. But Class
6,7,8 ( with whom we have had very little contact) are coming in and we have
organised a Games Day for them. More of that in tomorrows
report.
Thanks to those who have added comments to this blog. It’s
encouraging. Give the address (www.indiaproject2012.weebly.com) to one other person.
around 4.30 and it is quite cold tonight – totally clear skies. Outside at the
moment is the sound of very loud bangers as mainly Hindus celebrate Diwali, a
festival of lights.
Being Monday, the teaching started again and we launch
on the final week. Novelty and that initial buzz has gone and now the qualities
of commitment and dedication are called on to persevere to the end and give
those kids everything we’ve got. Don’t want to have any regrets at the end. We
definitely want to complete the tasks that Providence set for us as regards the
material we should teach eg Class 1 to be able to recognise and use the
prepositions in, on, inside, outside,
under, over. Before we came that seemed very little with the possibility of
completing the task in just one class period. It isn’t that easy. Remember the
kids in KG and Class 1 find it very very difficult to understand an explanation
or direction in English. Need for plenty of objects,of examples,of drawings,
of repetition, of repeating, of taking down and drawing and colouring and then
revising again the following day. .... and then to be somewhat disappointed.
Could be disheartening. But the lads are recognising these facts, are sharing
their experiences and dealing well with the task. The preparation and lesson
plans they work on each evening stand to them. They now realise the need for
detail in those plans and not just headings. One has to be filled with pride
watching all of them in action right till the end of the
day.
Today, I took photos of each one with their various groups –
interrupting their work. The kids were thrilled to gather around for a photo
with their Sirs. Copies of those photos will go to the Sir and to each of the
kids. Faces from the Abbey will be on the walls of those houses we visited and
Providence faces will look down from bedroom walls around Tipp and
Limerick.
Before assembly, at various breaks and after class in the
evening, our 7 are keen to play and bond with the kids from various classes.
Through the language of play they want to tell these kids that they count and
that they are special. Many of the kids arrive in after the 8.30 assembly
having been in buses caught up in total gridlock that happens at school times.
Others, although very small, will have had to work at home before setting out.
Getting to school and learning is just one of the tasks they have to perform
during the day.
Some who missed the visits to the homes last week travelled
today. It’s an important part of the experience to make this journey a few
times. A few of the houses seem adequate but the ones of timber slabs and tin
do shock. We have made the journey on 2 days; they are tiring. But to think of
these kids (much shorter legs than ours) doing that day after day after day in
great heat and in monsoon and still heartily chime up with ‘Good morning,
teachers’ after assembly and apply themselves to the task of learning from 8.30
till 3.45 and then to head back home again in fading light in nothing short of
heroic. They put us to shame. Indeed, we can learn something from
them.
Trades occupy the period from 8.30 till 10.15.We are
involved in just 8 trades but there are many others also.
Motor cycle maintenance training is provided. A group of students remain
in this module for 3 months during trade times. They learn all the usual
servicing and repairing jobs on a
few bikes in that department. He kids like it. Also gardening and electrics.
Another trade we are not involved
in is whole-meal cooking. Led by Class 8, they can produce a full meal with a
varied menu. They can make it Indian or put up less spicy fare What
they produce is tasty and nourishing. We know. Our mid-day meals are prepared by
them and they tick all the boxes.
Tomorrow is Diwali so no classes. It’s a major holiday. But Class
6,7,8 ( with whom we have had very little contact) are coming in and we have
organised a Games Day for them. More of that in tomorrows
report.
Thanks to those who have added comments to this blog. It’s
encouraging. Give the address (www.indiaproject2012.weebly.com) to one other person.
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