The students’ three week break of G.A.M.E.S. is over (GAMES stands for Games, Art, Music, Enrichments).  You might be wondering why they have these three weeks of activities. Remember that the children here are all orphans, so they have no homes to go to at break time. The Rafiki village is their school, cafeteria, medical clinic AND home. To break-up the school year, Rafiki has four GAMES sessions each year away from the academic rigors of class.

Monday, classes began. I am now substituting for two classes (so far), 6th Grade Bible and RICE Computers (more on that later). I’ve also been tasked to sit-in on classes and provide some advice on how they can be improved. I’m just getting used to their Malawian accent. (Note: The language spoken at home in this part of the country is Chitumbuka with English as the language of government and business. The school is conducted exclusively in English, with all students learning Chichewa, the most prominent native language. English and Chichewa are the country’s two official languages.)

School is strange and yet familiar at the same time. Having taught for over twenty years I am comfortable standing in front of a class and teaching. On the other hand, it’s quite a different classroom and- let’s face it- the students are a little different looking that the typical Calvin Christian student. There ain’t a blond in the bunch. In most ways the students are the same from California to Malawi: I’ve had to remind a boy where we were reading, encourage another to keep all four legs of his chair on the floor, and give someone a pencil who came to class empty-handed. Kids are kids.

They are excited to learn and raise their hands when I ask a question. Today, my Bible class studied Luke 8 and we had a nice discussion on Jesus calming the storm. Having just been to Lake Malawi and the kids having been there on a field trip previously, I was able to help them relate their experience at the lake with the description in the Bible.

Later, I visited a 4th grade “life skills” class and was surprise to hear about AIDs and STDs discussed by the teacher. Also, when the teacher asked for examples of choices one could make the two examples given were:

1. Selling vegetables or not

2. Doing piecemeal work or not

Those would NOT be examples from middle-class American students.

It’s wonderful to be able to help the school by taking on a few classes and relieving the permanent staff for a short time. All in all, on my second day, it’s been a amazing experience.

Here are some photos from what is called “Standard Sixth” AKA 6th Grade. As you can see, they are diligent workers … and look sharp in their uniforms.