Chalkboards

Remember when I mentioned the crazy storm that came through in December? In addition to knocking down lots of trees and flooding things, it also seriously messed up the roof of our primary school. Luckily school was out at the time and no one was hurt. When school started again in January, 8 of 17 classes were meeting in large army tents while they fixed the buildings.

I was glad they at least had somewhere to meet, however...

Two weeks into the term I talked with some teachers, and they all said, can you get us chalkboards?? These classes in tents have no chalkboards and it's really hard to teach without them.

Uh, yeah. 

It's hard to teach 30 to 40 kids WITH lots of resources, let alone without basic ones like chalkboards.

Trying to think quickly, I realized that writing any kind of grant would take too long. By the time money actually came in, the renovations would be completed, and the classes would have been without boards for months. So, I looked into trying to make some. I was going to experiment with making my own chalkboard paint, but when I posted my dilemma on facebook, a PCV in Jwaneng found a guy that would donate the store bought stuff to us.  Sweet! Thanks Christina!!  By the time we arranged this and got the paint from South Africa to Jwaneng to Gabs to my village, it was almost the end of February. I got the school to save the old doors and ceiling panels that weren't too water damaged, and painted some boards.

I made 6 boards, to the amusement of all the construction guys at work on the school. I realized about halfway through my endeavor that painting is pretty much a man's job in this country, so seeing a woman painting was an unusual site for both the students and the workmen.

By time I got the boards made, the classes had been in tents for 2 months, and several had moved back into classrooms. But since they renovated half the school, they decided to paint and fix up the rest of the buildings as well, so the boards definitely got a month or two of use. The teachers also like that they are portable, so they say they will keep using them. Win!

I took this picture to send a thank you card to our paint donor. Chalk boards make happy kids and VERY happy teachers :)

Another GLOW camp

Several volunteers and I are in the midst of planning a big camp for girls in our region, but we had to change the date to make sure our funding got in on time. Silver lining: I got to help at another volunteer's weekend camp in Ranaka!

The amazing Karla, leading an energizer about bumblegum.

Lisa, the mastermind behind the camp. Also the one that had to deal with a venue change less than 24 hours before the camp. She's amazing.

A fun group of volunteers to work with!

I did 4 sessions for 4 groups on emotional health, helped with 3 sessions on communication, and helped Luis lead a STEPS film discussion. Tiffany and I also taught lots of bracelet making, resulting in embroidery floss EVERYWHERE. Other sessions included goal setting, puberty, teen pregnancy, diversity, gender and gender based violence, and peer education. 

We also had a talent show, with much singing and dancing.

 I can juggle... that was my talent.

Of course, lots of energizers and games throughout. 

 The last morning breakfast got delayed for several hours, and when we tried to do games, several girls said, we are being assertive. we don't want to play, we are too hungry! So only about a third played with the parachute... but at least they remembered what assertive was from the communication lesson!

A great camp overall.