Visiting Established Schools
Everyday is full of new experiences, eye opening moments, and gaining cultural understanding. Yesterday we split into two groups which were invited into two different villages. While one group’s interactions leaned towards the more practical elements, ours went personal. We were told that while daughter in-laws generally were not allowed to sit directly face to face with their husbands father, this family head allowed it. He spoke about how he liked to incorporate his knowledge of the Canadian worldview into his on family and village group. Perhaps enjoyment of all things Canadian is common in this village, considering moments later the two “unclaimed” men in our group were fending off marriage offers, complete with a promise of land, no dowry required! Despite the lack of cold here, and the generous offers, we will fortunately both be coming home to our family and friends.
Today was a change of pace. Together as a group we visited 4 schools, two secondary schools and two primary schools. Some of which members of our group had previously helped bring to life. Students travel much further to attend secondary school, so there were dormitories made available for them, as well as crops and animals cared for there to provide food.
What stuck out to me today was the final school we visited. Much of our conversation with them was directed toward the Special Education block they had on their campus. With housing provided in dormitories to those students as well. The school has taken it into their own hands to not only welcome and insure the best quality education for those whose needs are able to be met at the school, but also provide house visits to those students whose needs are better fulfilled at home. The Headteacher spoke about the difficulties they experience in finding these children who have greater challenges to overcome, because some families still hold to a viewpoint that it is shameful, and something to be hidden. It was truly inspiring to see how the school and staff work above and beyond to give these children a quality of life they deserve, but may not have received otherwise. It was a great experience to see how the schools and surrounding communities grow from a project very similar to the one we are currently working on now.
Khalani makola! (Stay Well!)
Eric
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