Kayamandi Township

 Kayamandi Township. There is a a lot history to this township that surrounds the high school and elementary school where many of us are teaching. It is the poorest area in Stellenbosch but they are not poor on friendship or love. While walking through the township we were bombarded by students just wanting to give us hugs. And when they found out we had things to pass out they were swarming us. One little girl in particular came running down the street and gave me the biggest hug I have ever gotten. It was an absolutely amazing day. I for sure won the kids over with candy and soccer rings throughout the whole walk. Thus far I would say it has been the most humbling experience I have ever taken part in.

One of the little boys we gave bubbles, stickers and pixie sticks to.

The township looking down on the rest of the valley.

The brick building is one of the oldest buildings in the area and is now a beer brewing house.

This is what the majority of the houses look like in this area. 

Food

The joke among our group is that all we do it eat here. When we left Detroit we had just had lunch and 3 hours into our flight we were served dinner, then an hour before we landed breakfast.  When we boarded the plane from Amsterdam to Cape Town we were treated like Kings and Queens, we had lunch and dinner plus a snack every hour or so. We were so full. And since our bodies were not use to eating at different times our appetites have been way off ever since we left last Saturday.

The first day in, we went to Col’Cachios a pizzeria that does a variety of pizzas from just ham and pinapple to bacon and bananas; which is very South African. That night for dinner all the host families meet up and had a welcome dinner with a variety of food some local and some very familiar to us. On Tuesday we packed sandwiches for lunch-PB&J and then for dinner had baked pasta. Wednesday we had Indian food in Cape Town and then stopped at Col’Cachios for pizza again.  Thursday I would say was the first time my house experienced African food, we had leftovers for lunch and our host mom made Chicken curry for dinner with rice. It was so good. Andrea, Jody and I have decided that we are up to trying everything and anything so when we get back from Holiday our host parents said they are going to cook us some local foods. But for now with a limited appetite it has been delicious! 

Day 2 at school- March 22nd

Day 2. They say it gets easier to somewhere day after day once you get use to the environment, but oh boy this is a big change. There are some similarities I am seeing with issues being brought up in the school and some very big differences. Let’s start at what I walked into on Thursday morning-a fight.

I have 40, 3^rd graders, at least 18 of them are boys. So the dynamics of the classroom are very interesting. When I walked upstairs the students were lined up outside the room and started to go in the classroom when four of them started coming up to me talking really fast. And while they were speaking English to me their accents are very strong and with all of them talking I had no idea what was going on, so I sent them inside to talk to a student who was very upset.

Dylan was crying and I asked him what had happened. While we were talking the class was doing their morning prayer and going crazy and that’s when their teacher came up. When I told her there was a fight she immediately had all the students came back outside and try to go in quietly and also have Dylan pick out who was picking on him. What I believe had happened deals with that they were not wearing their uniforms yesterday, it was “American” Day and the students were picking on him for what he was wearing. This is why they wear uniforms. The only punishment the four boys were given was to not talk and apologize to Dylan.

It is the end of the term for the students. They have just moved to 3^rd grade in January, so with report cards due out before Holiday a lot of the teachers are trying to catch up on grading and getting those ready. Many teachers do not do any work outside school so during this week they have been doing the reports and having the students do nothing. Yesterday we worked on writing stories, awesome. Expect it was in Affrikans- their second language. So I couldn’t help them with much, but they were still excited to read me their stories and translate to English. And that is all they did for the whole 5 hour day.

The school day is very different, students begin at 8am there is a break at 10:30 for 25 minutes. This first break is usually for lunch. Then there is another break at 12:30 and students start being dismissed around 1:15pm. The time in which they are dismissed is dependent on their grade level, my 3^rd graders get out at 1:30pm and the 2^nd graders get out at 1:15pm. Very interesting.

So until we head back in 2 weeks it will be a great break to absorbed everything that we have seen so far. 

Miss Hughes is Sick- March 21-22nd

 We had a Holiday on the 21^st, so all the schools were closed. Sandy had said we were going to take the train into Cape Town and do some exploring but was afraid that we were too worn down from going so fast since we arrived, but all 17 of us were game. So off we went early to catch the train to Cape Town. Our first stop was District 6 Museum, which details an area of Cape Town that was greatly affected by the apartheid movement. Then we had lunch at an Indian Bizarre, you would think I would be having a lot of African food on this trip not so much thus far. We then headed to do some bartering in the green square market, they have everything! I didn’t buy anything yet but I know I need to go back to get souvenirs. And before catching the train back we went up to the Malay District, which is where a lot of Muslims live. The Malay people are known for their liking of super bright colors so all their houses are bright yellow, pink, blue, green, any color really.

Cape Town was really fun but we all were really tired from a long day, and thus I am now sick. When Sandy found out I was not feeling well she told me we were headed to the pharmacy on Thursday to get me feeling better before we go on Holiday this weekend. So my first purchase on the trip, medicine.

It’s very different here on how you go about getting medicine. In America we usually have to go to the doctor and they write us a prescription, but in Africa you go to the pharmacy and tell them what is wrong with you and they write you a script. So in less than 10 minutes I had 3 meds that I have to dissolve and drink 3 times a day. They do not taste good, but I can already tell a difference. And since today (Friday) school closes at 11am Sandy and my roommates encouraged me to sleep in and not go to school. So right now everyone is gone and I am just getting up for the day, (it’s 9:30am).

Hopefully before we leave on Holiday on Sunday morning I am better and ready for a fun two weeks with my friends, if not it’s going to be a long two weeks.

Me and some students

The view from our school. 

March 18th Notes

March 18^th

I have so much to share and not enough time to share it all. Our first full day was a busy one, and very eye opening. As a group we visited 4 schools, A.F. Louf, Ida’s Valley, Kayamandi and Rhenish; all with very different makeup of students and staff. We are excited to start tomorrow fresh with new ideas, and experience the culture and life of South Africa.

Today we were greeted with open arms at A.F. Louf by pre-primer students. They were super excited to see us and we were greeted with many hugs. The high school is set right in the center of the township, which is of very low economic status. We have a township tour set up for Saturday and I cannot wait to experience the life that a lot of the students experience every day.

The views are unbelievable. We have mountains surrounding us. Waking up this morning we were shocked to see the mountains since we came in so late last night and did not see the beautiful scenery.

The biggest difference right now that keeps getting me caught up is measurement; metrics! If only I had paid attention more when my CT was teaching my 4^th graders I might be in a little better shape. They talk about degrees in celcius, i.e. it is going to be 34 degrees tomorrow…what does that mean for me? Or its only 35 Kilometers to Cape Town…yup. All the cereal boxes and milk cartons are labeled in metrics. Its just different to see metrics in use.

The Rand is the currency in South Africa right now the exchange is 7R=1USD so it is in our favor. But whenever we buy something we have to divide by 7 to see how much American money we are spending. Good thing my students division chapter reminded me how to do that lol

Jennifer and Lincoln are very nice. We are lucky to have our own space in the back of the house. It is hard though to be away from everyone else. But as time goes on I know we will hang out more and more with our friends.

  

We've Made it to Amsterdam!!

Its currently 2:45am at home but were ready to get on our next plane here in Amsterdam it is 7:45 and we have more security to head through in less than an hour. Then almost a 12hour flight to our final destination!

The letters have made it through all the security and travel thus far and I am super excited to get them to my students in South Africa.

We are hoping to be in bed by 2am Monday morning- South African time and then up for school on Monday around 9. Let the fun continue!

Miss Hughes' Adventure Begins

The number one thing to remember is to be FLEXIBLE. My group and I are being flexible. After checking our bags, going through security, and boarding the plane we were deplaned. By now we should be in Detroit having lunch and getting ready to wait it out for our 5 hour layover. Yet my friends and I are sitting in GRR waiting to hopefully get on the 1:45pm flight to DTW and then make it to our connector; which should not be a problem. We are thankful they got us off the plane and did not have us sit and wait on the plane. The mechanical issue is just one story to our trip. This trip is going to be one with a lot of stories, and we already have one. Its all memories. 

My Fiore Flowers, I loved loved loved loved your letters. I read them last night before I started packing. I will miss you all so much, and cannot wait to share with you my journey. Keep working hard and having fun. I'll keep you updated on my journey, since our start is so memorable I know our whole trip is going to be memorable as well!!!

Last Min stuffing things in!

Most of my friends that came to wish me off

950lbs of LOVE

Its Wednesday before we leave, and the craziness is beginning, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Packing has been the number one word in my vocabulary this last week or so. Packing my apt, my clothes, and my suitcase of school supplies.

And tonight, we all packed some more. Almost 950lbs of LOVE in the form of pencils, pens, notebooks, books, jump ropes, rulers, lines paper, bubbles, puzzles and so much more. The scene was awesome. And while a minor talking to by GVPD occurred it did not dampen our spirits or excitement.

I mean just look for yourself.

The Chronicles of Room 19: African Letter that make a Difference

March 1st- I had my final observation at Peach Plains. It was a bitter sweet day, while it was not my last day it was a day that I got to share with my students so much about where my next adventure is leading me. They have all kind of forgotten that I was leaving, we have been having so much fun so when I told them I had 17 days left, they all got sad. 

I got to show them on the map, using Google Maps and share with them what I know about where I am headed. After the week that we had been having this was the perfect activity to get back into our routine. And oh boy where they super receptive to it. The work that they put into their letters was amazing, I was hoping to get something little out of them but I got so much more. The room got so quiet when they started writing and they meant business. And oh boy they cannot wait for the day when I arrive back with new letters in hand!

My CT asked that I make a copy for the all the students letters so we could put them in their folios as a memory of the year. I thought that was a great idea. And I ended up making a copy for myself as well, because they are just so sweet! And when I return with the new letters I plan to place them in their folios along side the their letters. It will be an experience they will never forget, and that's just what I want it to be. 

My plan is to have the letters in my carry-on/backpack and document their journey to my South African students. And hopefully be able to post the pictures for my students to see, that is the best part of technology I can give everyone here in the states updates and pictures as I am on my journey. 

So be on the look out! I have 25 amazing heart felt letters from some amazing 4th graders in Grand Haven that will be making an amazing journey with me in less than 6 days; GR Airport, Detroit Airport, Amsterdam Airport and then finally to the Cape Town Airport and then to a school in Stellenbosch! 

Helping students grieve

By helping a student grieve, I learned you first need to grieve yourself. I was too strong for my students for too long and ended up breaking down Tuesday with my Field Coordinator, but that is just what I needed to be prepared for the rest of the week in my classroom.

We had great support this past week in our building, and even just working off of each other was a great support for each of us. The couple of minutes walking to the bathroom, or to the library with a student allowed for some breathing time that we both needed last week.

I did a lot of back rubbing and talking to students, and not just about what happened but what they had been up to and more about who they are. Of course they were more comfortable with me than with other support so we just walked the school and chatted. One student in particular needed just that, and as we transitioned into this week knowing that this student and I have a little bit better understanding of each other.

Life continues to go on, and by celebrating the life that was lost I think the community, the school, my students and myself are working together to make this difficult time more manageable.

TODAY-
My student who lost his sibling came back today, and I realized in working with him today that our class was not the same last week. I loved having him back, and the day started off so smoothly with a joke about how messy his desk was. So sweet to see him back with his friends. Still struggling, I can see beneath his hard exterior that he is struggling, and we are working to make sure he knows that it is okay.

Next Post: Letters to South Africa

The realities of teaching

Teachers are not just educators, and boy did I learn that this week. 

The crisis team came in and we banned together as a building to show our students how to grieve and how to work though all that grief as well. We were in it together, and we will be in it together for the years to come. There is never going to be a right or wrong way to deal with what has happened, but together we can get through it. And that's what my CT kept telling me this week. 

After being strong for my students I broke down to my Field Coordinator on Tuesday afternoon. And that's just what I needed to do to grieve myself about the situation that was faced before me as my first semester in a classroom. I would never wish this upon anyone, but knowing the support that is surrounding you is the best way to work though a tough situation. 

We've made it past the first hurdle, and I would say we have two more big ones to jump in the coming days.

1. telling the students and the days following (check)

2. the funeral- tomorrow

3. the arrival of our student back into the classroom- Monday

Our emotions will continue to be tested in the coming weeks and for the rest of the time. But the community that is surrounding me at Peach Plains, my friends, and my GVSU faculty that have allowed me to cry it out have helped in accepting what happened. There is never a right way to get though this, but I have learned that together we can build a community that can support one another and make this difficult time more bearable.

**Upcoming posts- 

Helping students grieve

African Letters that make a difference