Sent Fri, Dec 5, 2008 at 7:17 AM
Feeling a bit tired today - don't know if jetlag or insomnia or anxiety - its a bit nerve-wracking being in the hostel behind lock and key in splendid isolation, listening to something in the kitchen that threw off the pan lid and lapped up the milk. I am hoping cat, but I have seen rats in the gardens here...Achala's quarters have a fridge but ours doesn't so leaving food around is tempting for the critturs. However they usually don't have any water so its swings and roundabouts on that score!
...Having badgered for the CD player it finally arrived about 15 minutes into the lesson - disruptively too. It doesn't work unless it is run through a TV so they brought that too, but then there wasn't any electricity. I suspect when using the projector (and powerpoint) you may encounter similar problems at times, although everyone is very excited about it.
Next week Achala is going to continue to teach the group I am working with today and tomorrow. Its a very basic group and will be the one that you will be using the EALIP with. There are some there that were borderline with the other group, and there is about 5 - 10 who could do with a still higher group in an ideal world. That isn't likely - it seems that simplicity of class subjects is most appreciated. Once proper access to photocopying is made available I'll try to give those people some appropriate extra stuff to do. Next week I'll be taking the "higher" group - and Achala wants to be in the big room which I am fine with but the small room is very dark when there is no electricity. Maybe we could go outside some of the time when there isn't any power. Padmavir basically gave me a timetable on my first day which doesn't allow for any time off apart from Sundays. I blagged one afternoon off but maybe when you're all up and running I'll take a couple of afternoons.
I thought we were going to have a teacher's room but it seems that we just have a shelf at the moment (small steps)... I may need to spend some money on 2 - 3 CD players. If you give me the go-ahead I'll get some when I go into town on Sunday - if there is funding for this? There are two classrooms and I would like the students to be able to access one for their homework and self-study. I thought we could put one in the library but there seems to be little access to this even though they are all mature adults and can be trusted, I think the organisation of keys and stuff is difficult. In fact, as the men and woman have to be separated I'd push for one in each of the accommodations - the womens' hostel and the mens' community/dormitory if possible. Achala says their discipline is strict - they can't play football for example (one is a great footballer) and they seem to be embracing English so it could be a good thing to help them get along as they seem to be enjoying it and English is endorsed.
In spite of the culture shock - and I appreciate it sounds like I'm pretty shocked - I am seeing how wonderful these people are and their dedication to their cause is really inspirational. I'm receiving so much good will - I am very happy in the interaction with all the students and I am so looking forward to helping in rolling this programme out.
I hope that you do get to feel better soon and can rest assured that you will have such a warm welcome and appreciation for all you have done to get this going.
Just a reminder for you (all) to bring a torch/es.
Cheers!
Jess
Feeling a bit tired today - don't know if jetlag or insomnia or anxiety - its a bit nerve-wracking being in the hostel behind lock and key in splendid isolation, listening to something in the kitchen that threw off the pan lid and lapped up the milk. I am hoping cat, but I have seen rats in the gardens here...Achala's quarters have a fridge but ours doesn't so leaving food around is tempting for the critturs. However they usually don't have any water so its swings and roundabouts on that score!
...Having badgered for the CD player it finally arrived about 15 minutes into the lesson - disruptively too. It doesn't work unless it is run through a TV so they brought that too, but then there wasn't any electricity. I suspect when using the projector (and powerpoint) you may encounter similar problems at times, although everyone is very excited about it.
Next week Achala is going to continue to teach the group I am working with today and tomorrow. Its a very basic group and will be the one that you will be using the EALIP with. There are some there that were borderline with the other group, and there is about 5 - 10 who could do with a still higher group in an ideal world. That isn't likely - it seems that simplicity of class subjects is most appreciated. Once proper access to photocopying is made available I'll try to give those people some appropriate extra stuff to do. Next week I'll be taking the "higher" group - and Achala wants to be in the big room which I am fine with but the small room is very dark when there is no electricity. Maybe we could go outside some of the time when there isn't any power. Padmavir basically gave me a timetable on my first day which doesn't allow for any time off apart from Sundays. I blagged one afternoon off but maybe when you're all up and running I'll take a couple of afternoons.
I thought we were going to have a teacher's room but it seems that we just have a shelf at the moment (small steps)... I may need to spend some money on 2 - 3 CD players. If you give me the go-ahead I'll get some when I go into town on Sunday - if there is funding for this? There are two classrooms and I would like the students to be able to access one for their homework and self-study. I thought we could put one in the library but there seems to be little access to this even though they are all mature adults and can be trusted, I think the organisation of keys and stuff is difficult. In fact, as the men and woman have to be separated I'd push for one in each of the accommodations - the womens' hostel and the mens' community/dormitory if possible. Achala says their discipline is strict - they can't play football for example (one is a great footballer) and they seem to be embracing English so it could be a good thing to help them get along as they seem to be enjoying it and English is endorsed.
In spite of the culture shock - and I appreciate it sounds like I'm pretty shocked - I am seeing how wonderful these people are and their dedication to their cause is really inspirational. I'm receiving so much good will - I am very happy in the interaction with all the students and I am so looking forward to helping in rolling this programme out.
I hope that you do get to feel better soon and can rest assured that you will have such a warm welcome and appreciation for all you have done to get this going.
Just a reminder for you (all) to bring a torch/es.
Cheers!
Jess
2 comments:
Hi Jess, and everybody - I am just seeing how easy it is for someone to leave a comment, so I can pass the info. on to friends.
love SJ
Please send my regards and pass this message on to Julie Manton - hey Julie - hope you didn't forget your torch !!
Hope you arrived safely, and the mozzies are not biting too much.
Do you want me to keep you posted on the Rovers results, seeing how interested you are in football ?! Ha ha.
Take care.
DS x
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