One of the best days :)

Feb. 14.2013

Today I had one of the best days I have ever had during my field placement.  I had the opportunity to visit a children’s school. Father Saby took me there from Karunai Illam  (Home of Compassion) since his brother Francis is the principal there. It is a school that has children spanning the age of two and a half to 6^th standard. They hope to expand to 12^th standard (age 17) in the coming years. There is currently construction of another building for them to expand. When I arrived in the first of their two buildings I was greeted by the students. One building holds the younger students (two and a half to four or so) and another separate building holds students from 1^st standard to 6^th standard.  I was given a formal welcome in the building which held the younger students. Two were selected to come up to the front and welcome me with a little memorized speech on behalf of the community. They also handed me a bouquet of flowers. Afterwards I taught them the action songs  “Jesus Loves Me” and “Father Abraham”. During this assembly prizes were also given to one boy in particular who had done well in a certain competition. Competitions no matter what year of schooling are HUGE here.

After this greeting ceremony, I went with Francis to the other building where the children start around first standard and go through sixth standard. I was ushered into his office where I sat and wrote out the lyrics to the songs I had taught the children in the other school for the teachers. (They had asked for the lyrics in particular to “Father Abraham”) There I met the dance teacher who comes on Thursdays to teach dance to some of the students. Her name was Sherin and we talked for a while about her family, education in dance, and her life. She went to dance school after her original schooling and proceeded to get her degree in dance. After talking with her I got the chance to have lunch with her the rest of the teachers. I ate their Indian food and it was probably some of the spiciest food I have ever tasted since I came here. One woman joked that I was drinking more water than actually eating the food.

After lunch I visited my first classroom where I introduced myself and taught them some songs. The teacher had her students call me Mamam. I taught the song “Jesus Loves Me” to them and “Every Move I Make”. In later classes I taught “The Princess Pat”. They really liked doing the “rigabamboo” part in the princess pat song and found it funny. Sometimes I would start with that part of the song to get them “loosened up” they giggled and smiled as they felt funny when first doing the motions. Also in the song “Every Move I Make” I did the Pharaoh motion for the na,na,na part back and forth across the room which they also really enjoyed. They also enjoyed when I turned around when I sang “ oh my God this love, how can it be?!”

I also gave them the opportunity to ask me questions about the U.S. and myself. The second class I visited was so eager to ask me questions. I had to take a moment to explain that I would answer all of them, but they had to ask me each one at a time. In later classes, I would ask if the children had pets (dogs, cats etc.) and they would each then raise their hands if they had one. They were eager to make a connection with me in similar interests. At times students would volunteer to sing songs for me. Among the songs sung for me were Jingle Bells, O Come All Ye Faithful and a version of Let It Shine. Before I left each classroom I made sure that I had a picture of the students in each classroom. The last classroom I visited some of the girls really showed their interest in me. They asked me if I was going to come back and I told them I didn’t know. They gave me a picture they had colored in and an origami box made from a scrap piece of paper. I was touched.

After meeting the students I was ushered over to Francis’ office and was given tea and snacks. I drink lots and lots of tea here! It’s so good. It’s a mixture of quite a bit of milk, tea and lot and lots of sugar. J I don’t think I go a day without drinking some sort of tea or coffee here. Indians like to have mid-afternoon tea and snacks. Not all of the Indian students get them in their classes but because we are guests we are often given tea in our classes.

The snacks included the fried rosette like cookies and some fruit bread like balls of sweets that originate in Kerala. I appreciated the gesture and through our conversation I learned more about the school and how it works. It seemed similar to that of the idea of Rivendell. Where students are taught to build character as well as do well in school. Teachers care for the students and are invested in their learning as well as work the parents to help their kids. It’s in it’s 3^rd year of running and is slowly yet gradually trying to expand. Teachers at the end of the day get together to talk about what went wrong and how the school can be improved. Francis was gracious enough to drop me off near my apartment.  On the way there he asked me about what I saw they could improve. I told him perhaps he could use more color on the walls and maybe use a buddy system in the classroom.

I really enjoyed my time there and I began to think about what it would be like if I became a teacher—even perhaps a teacher in India. I’m sure that would be very difficult. I’ll leave that in God’s hands for now.

I think this was the class that asked a lot of questions. :)

The girls in this picture gave me the gifts.

Also please note the polka dot red curta I'm wearing. Since it was Valentines Day I just had to wear red. I thought it would remind the kids of a ladybug. In middle school our devotions group with Mrs. King was also called ladybug devotions. Finally, the polka dots remind me of my mom. :)