The Little Things

This week, I have been asked by a student to no longer be his teacher, slept only five hours multiple nights in a row, battled a queazy stomach, gotten blisters and bruises, and been apart from my family for Christmas for the first time. This life is rough. But in the hectic, crazy, frustrating life, it's the little blessings that remind me of God's love for me, the love surrounding me in this community, and the peace that I am where God has led me.

On returning from trainings in Addis, I found out that no one had covered my classes for the week that I was gone. My students were now a week behind the rest of Grade Nine and needed to get through 4 units in four weeks before the final. Monday was spent with prepositions with the help of a nerf (American) football and a stuffed animal elephant. Day two was comparative and superlative adjectives where I went back to the unit's theme of food and brought in lemon (sour), chocolate (sweet), orange (juicy), sambusa (greasy) and popcorn (salty). Students were shocked when they tasted salty popcorn. Here, it is often served plain or with sugar. Never with salt! One student said "This is different. But I like it!" Differences don't have to be bad. Day 3 fell on Christmas Eve for some and Christmas Day for other classes. Present Passive and Punctuation were themed with Jesus and Saint Nicolas. After class a student asked if I was going to America for Christmas. When I said no, he was befuddled. Family is always together for holidays. He responded (in English) "Don't be sad. We are your family." Friday was a review with stations for the first time that I was worried wouldn't go over well. Students loved it. One student (the one who told me every day that week that I should go to a different class) referred to me as "my teacher," wished me a good weekend and said learning was actually fun today. I cannot predict what will happen in my classes. I sometimes feel it is a YL skit that I am doing in two languages, but It is little moments like these that make me smile and keep going. There's joy students get when we play football at break. The acceptance that different and bad are not synonyms. Christmas is celebrated differently, but family is still important.

Every past Christmas Eve I have folded bulletins, sang Christmas hymns, listened to my Dad's sermon, bundled up in thick coats, and snuck homemade caramels before bed. This year I taught in the morning, cleaned my room, sent late Christmas cards (sorry friends) and didn't listen to a single Christmas song. However, that night one of my friends called me after his shift teaching and asked to go grab tea. We ended up walking for an hour out under the stars talking about life, family, distance, and goals in our lives. We did drink tea, laugh, create more inside jokes before I headed home for bed. My friend is Muslim. Not only is Christmas not in the Ethiopian calendar, it is not in his. Yet he knew what it is like to be away from family on holidays and wanted to make sure I was doing okay. He encouraged me to be strong and not to be sad, even if I do miss my family and friends. He also made me promise him to call him if I didn't have any Christmas plans as he knew my two American site mates were out of town. It's in the little things of walking and sharing a cup of tea that make the biggest difference.

Christmas Day I was walking back from the post office where packages and letters still haven't arrived when some students called me over to a suk. One was hitting around a football. We ended up playing pass volleyball style with the ball which attracted more people. Soon we we're standing in a circle playing volleyball under the hot afternoon sun. The student from my class is one who is quiet, doesn't participate on topic often, rarely speaks in English, always whispers to friends in Tigrigna and is full of energy. We ended up playing for an hour and a half before I had to go somewhere. On Friday, the student was all smiles and on topic. He explained (in Tigrigna and English) that yesterday was the happiest he has ever been. He thanked me for playing and wants to do it again sometime. I told him would should play in English next time and he was fine with that. It is the little things of playing, joy, happiness and smiles that encourage me to keep on going even when I am discouraged by the post office or a lesson plan doesn't go like it was supposed to.

About once a week a small group of school people get together for coffee ceremonies. As I was going to be gone to Adwa this weekend, they changed it to Thursday, unaware that Thursday was Christmas. The host, an English teacher from the opposite shift, made Silsi, shiro, injera and halibet (a whipped, white bean spread with lots of garlic). We crowded around the plate and laughed and joked as we all dug in, bumping elbows. They looked for a Christmas movie on TV and made up Christmas songs to sing. We are all so different. There was a Muslim, couple of Orthodox Christians and a Protestant. Our language skills range dramatically. Christmas is celebrated in different ways at different times. Yet, they had made me a red and white delicious meal (with 6 rounds of coffee) for Christmas. Little things.

Bummers happen in this life. Nothing is ever smooth sailing without flaws. Frustrations come up. But God sent Jesus (time doesn't really matter as much as the fact that He DID send him) to our crazy lives to open up a relationship with him. He put me in a community where i am loved and reminded of my purpose everyday with the smiles and light bulb moments in the classroom. Differences of religions aren't barriers unless we make them separate us from an individual. It's the little things that are God's blessings.

Jessie's Christmas "Card" -- sent before Ethiopian Christmas!

This year I’ve traversed through 10-11 time zones
Seen differences in weather, cultures, and phones.

From familiar and known to new, from here to there It’s time to reflect on God’s role this year with care.

This year started in freezing Pennsylvania snow Wondering when my delayed plane would ever go. But back to Spokane, Washington I went Where I subbed daily (K-12) trying to make a dent.

Dad came cross-country to bring me a new, red car Though I had to learn stick if I wanted to go far. Peace Corps’ invitation brought paperwork galore, But nothing could lessen the excitement or allure.

Graduations and weddings took June by fury Making good-byes for two years come way too early. On June 28th I bid the Northwest adieu, Off to DC to meet my 70 comrades crew.

The 13-hour flight on July 2nd was a drag. We arrived in Addis with horrible jet lag. Long meetings filled first week in Ethiopia. Then a two-hour drive south to Butajira.

Host families, new friends and training filled PST With strange food, trying new things, and lots of hot tea. Having a cold, wet summer was something quite new While balancing Amharic and Tigrigna, too.

After celebrating the Ethiopian New Year 2007, Forengi food in Addis tasted like heaven. On 9/19 I swore in for Peace Corps’ 2 year stay. The next morning I flew out up north to Tigray.

School got underway with three classes of 70. With daily class work and friends, little time is free. I’m in different clubs and do coffee ceremonies, Volleyball, soccer, and play with kids in the hot breeze.

God has been with me through the good, hard, and new I hope and pray you’ve seen Him working in you, too. I do not know what 2015 will hold, But God gives us the courage to trust and be bold.

I presented a report

This past Tuesday while in Addis I presented a report about my town. While my research paper (known as an Education Needs Assessment ENA) was 34 pages with multiple charts, pictures and analysis, my presentation could only be 5 minutes. Here is what I presented without the fun slides. If you have questions or want additional information, please ask…I do have 34 pages of paper to refer to.

 

Selekleka is in the Medebay Zana Woreda in the Northwest region of Tigray, Ethiopia. Overall Selekleka is 97.8% Orthodox Christian, 2% Muslim, and less than 1% Protestant Christians. While this woreda [a woreda is the equivalent of a county in the states] has 58 primary schools, 2 secondary schools, and 1 Preparatory School, Selekleka has 3 primary, 1 secondary and the only Preparatory School.

 

My school is Hakfen Secondary School. Due to there being so few schools, many of my students travel great distances from various villages and surrounding areas to school. The school was originally founded in 1992 EC (Ethiopian Calendar or 1999 Gregorian calendar) with 9 teachers and 593 Grade 9 students. This year (2007 E.C.) there are 54 teachers, 1 director, 2 vice directors, 7 additional staff and 2,095 students. Of these 947 are male and 1,148 females. The average class size is 70. There is no t.v. programmed classes as electricity and connection is unavailable. There are many clubs at my school registered (Anti- HIV Club, Mini Media Club, Sons and Technology Club, Literature and Drama, Sport Club, Civics and Ethics Club, Anti-Traffic Club, Population Media Club, Tax for Government Club, Girls’ Club, English Club, Environmental Protection Club, ICT Club, Tomorrow’s Teachers Club). I have attended meetings with the Civics and Ethics Club, Tomorrow’s Teachers Club and English Club.

 

I teach three classes that total 209 students. Of these 104 are male and 105 are male. This creates an even split between genders, which is uncommon as, usually there are more males than females. I have one class of 71 registered students, another of 65, and a final of 73.

 

I conducted a skills assessment report with my students that provided the results that listening, reading, writing and speaking are all low for my students. This is to be expected as the format of the test was unfamiliar, I am unfamiliar to them, and the language is foreign. Reading and listening scored the lowest overall averages.

 

In order to improve students understanding and use of knowledge I intend to adapt my personal teaching plan to incorporate the things that have helped throughout the semester and what I want to try. Visuals and routines are two of the biggest things that I have used this semester that I have made a positive impact on the student output. Picture sentence cards that I made for my students helped. The nouns or subjects are green while the verbs are blue. I originally started teaching them present perfect where they just had to pair two cards that matched the formula we had practiced together on the board. The first time I tried this there was confusion. But by making it a routine for learning, practicing and reviewing verb tenses through the first three unit of the book, students can now make different sentences very quickly. I want to improve documenting informal assessment so that I can refer to it more reliable for data analysis on student participation and learning.

 

Also, there are many potential proposed extracurricular activities that I could do. Currently the English Club is just focused on maintaining English Day where the entire school tries to be an English only zone. I want to expand this into larger and smaller groups at different skill levels. I have been a guest for the Civics and Ethics Club and want to continue to do that. A teacher has expressed interest in planting a garden and teaching our students the importance of a healthy diet and how to properly maintain a garden. I want to follow up with him on the possibility of a Garden and Nutrition Club. Finally, one of my site-mates and I have discussed starting a Creative Writing Club to foster authentic work.

 

I also want to help teachers improve their personal and profession goals for education. In order to understand their needs and desires, I intend to do personal surveys and questionnaires. What I have gathered from informal interviews is that my co-teachers really want to practice English. I have had it explained to me, multiple times, that they are confident on the grammatical structures, but not speaking. Possibly having English clubs where we just hang out and talk in English would be beneficial. Other teachers have mentioned observing me, so I need to be open in order to allow them to do this.

Any questions?

So, that was my presentation. Like the majority of my volunteer buddies, I didn’t quite stay in the 5 minute requirement, but I was definitely not the longest person speaking. So, if you have any questions about what I intend to do or what I researched comment below or email me! J

Okay Let’s Talk Food

With all the talk about holiday foods and traditions, I battle an odd conflict between Americna foods and comfort Ethiopian foods. As I can’t have my Dad’s caramels no matter how hard I imagine them, I suppose I might as well let you all know what are some of the strange new foods I’ve fallen in love with.

Gomen Salata: (Cabbage Salad)
This was first introduced to me by my teacher buddy slash Tigrigna tutor a couple of weeks ago. It’s pretty basic, but amazingly good. Chop cabbage. Squeeze a lime over. Sprinkle on some salt. When I am feeling ambitious I shred a carrot (I have a peeler that I just keep pealing) and then cut it up and add in or other veggies you find at market. I originally ate it with injera which was good, but sometimes I just eat it plain to keep starch out of a meal.

Shiro
Ethiopian friends laugh when I tell them this is my go to meal. They claim there is no nutritional benefit in shiro, but boy does it taste good. First chop an onion. Sautée in oil. After onion is soft add water. I usually add an overripe tomatoe that has been cut and mashed at the same time. Cover and wait for it to reboil. Add a large spoonful of shiro powder. Mix in. Turn down temperature. Stir occasionally. Add lots of garlic! This is amazing with injera or bread. If it cooks too hot and becomes thicker it’s name changes to tagamino. Ether way, if there are left overs, it goes amazing with scambled eggs for breakfast.

Silsi
This is not my favorite dish as it is usually very spicy, but I have started to develop the liking for it. In a pan sautee onions in lots of oil. Once hot and bubbling add burbary (hot chilly) to taste. Keep over flame so it stays nice and hot. Add chopped garlic and hot peppers and serve.

Silsi Bisaba (Silsi with Milk)
For those of you who know my eating habits, you know that soggy bread was always a huge NO-NO! in my otherwise unpicky appetite. I have given up this vendetta and now enjoy soggy things. One of my favorites is milk with silsi in it. The milk is fresh and silsi adds the perfect taste to it. Dipping pieces of injera is the only way to eat this. Though it takes awhile to soup up all the liquid, it’s delicious.

Fata (Mixed up goodness!)
This takes everything I love and mixes it together for perfection! First you rip up pieces of bread. Then add silsi, tomatoes, and yogurt. Mix it all together and eat with a spoon. Add salt for tasted. Yes it sounds disgusting. Yes I am not adequately describing it. But it’s so good. If you order it for som (fasting) instead of yogurt they will put peanutbutter, lettuce, onion and hot peppers. This is not my favorite. Yogurt, although different than American, is amazing!

So, while all of you are decorating sugar cookies, sipping hot chocolate, consuming large quantites of meat, or having caramels stick to the roof of your mouth, these are some of the foods I am enjoying. I will try to get some pictures up for you, though you may have to wait till next week when I am in Addis for IST (In Service Training).

Dec.1, 2014 Here is a Thanksgiving blog:

“Because a thankful heart is a happy heart.

I’m glad for what I have that’s an easy way to start.

                  For the love that He shares as he listens to my prayers.

That’s why I say thanks everyday.” – Junior Asparagus (VeggieTales)




It’s tricky to be thankful when the network is not allowing you to call

your family, but it’s in the hard times when being thankful is most

important. So, while I wait to get connected here is what I’m thankful for. 

Sunscreen for sunshine and aloe when nose is red

Peanut butter and Nutella on fresh himbassha bread

Fresh fruit like oranges, bananas, cactus and zaytoons

My ipad with books, stories and jammin’ tunes

Safe gate, dripping shower and flushing toilet

My bed nightly cloaked in a mosquito net

Kids coming up to me to twirl and spin

God’s patience, guidance and forgiving all my sin

Kids, teacher buddies and Tigrigna tutor

Playing volleyball that makes my arms sore

My support system of friends and family

A house to call my own where I can just be

Getting surprised letters and/or packages in the mail

Having a blast while learning Braille!

PC friends I would bend backwards for

Students eager and excited to learn more

Eating shiro, injera, ga’at or pancakes

Weekends are definitely needed breaks

Water filter leaves me healthy and parasite free

On cold days, drinking tiny cups of coffee or hot tea

Learning more ways to practice patience

Being in town full of hospitality and acceptance

Market fresh veggies and foods without saturated fats

Avoiding camels, dogs, donkeys, goats, chickens and many cats

Long walk to school gives tan lines from chacos

Internet to get Facebook messages from my bros

Inside jokes that always leave us laughing

My own worship sessions of praying and singing

These are all great, but above all

I’m thankful to follow God’s call


I hope and pray you all have an amazing Thanksgiving. Try to find

something daily to be thankful for…especially when it is hard. You will be

surprised how much you can think of when you aren’t expecting it.