I arrived in Sitipogo last night at 4pm, which was much sooner than I imagined as the driver drove 170km/hr the entire way. There was no vehicular traffic however, the goats and cattle often slowed us down.
Fortunately, Justine, another WorldTeach volunteer that lives 3km away and is here for her second year, was here to greet me. It helped with the shock a little bit. But, once she left, the reality sunk in BIG time! I am in the middle of nowhere. In the first 20 minutes that I was here, I saw species of bugs that I never knew existed! Spent 2 hours sterilizing my room, removing the dead cockroaches from my mattress and getting myself somewhat unpacked. I met my room-mates, John and Hakusembe, but they had very little to say. A couple of other teachers came by to meet me once it got out that I had arrived. I met Joseph, the gr 5-7 math teacher with whom I share a storeroom (aka office), who was wonderful. He brought me over to the school and gave me some basics. I felt a little better after that, and the phone call from Mom really helped!
Was up and ready for the first day of school and quite excited. School starts at 7am and ends at 12:50pm. Then, after a two hour lunch break (which I think will be naptime), we return to school for ‘afterschool study’ until 5pm. However, this week it doesn’t sound like there will be any afterschool study. The principal called a staff meeting mid-day so that he could introduce me to the rest of the staff. There are approximately 25 teachers, covering grades 1-10 and over 770 students. I was fortunate to not have to teach right away and spent most of the morning in the storeroom planning, reviewing the textbooks and school documents. I did teach my last period, a class of grade 9’s, and it went relatively smoothly. We spent the class introducing ourselves and I gave them a chance to ask me questions. They did not hesitate to ask if I was married, how old I was, if my parents were alive and if I owned a farm at home?
Lots more to say… but I should get to bed. One thing is for sure, the area is gorgeous! The river is just steps away from my house and with all the recent rain here, the landscape is very green. Goats and cattle graze all around… pictures coming soon!
Mama
Jan 18, 2011 @ 18:51:48
Well Tan, it has begun. This post made me smile, big time. I am very proud of you. I’m glad that Justine (always think of Theo Huxtable when I hear that name) isn’t far and has had a year’s experience. Be careful, your lawn chair might sink into the mud and you’ll disappear! Can’t wait for pictures.
Love you bunches!
Alisa
Jan 19, 2011 @ 02:17:31
Hey Tan,
So glad you made it there safely. I’m excited and so proud of you for dealing with those bugs all on your own 🙂 Hope you brought the oven mitts for the BIG FLYING ones…lmao. Missing you more than I could EVER describe in words. Love you soooo much.
PS: Brayden looks at your picture every morning and smiles!
Dale
Jan 20, 2011 @ 19:26:19
Hi Bella !!!
Well you made it and safey at that considering the speed of that driver !!! Wow . Tanya I have to say I just love reading every word you say. I feel lost in your words , like I am right their. Lets face it we ‘ALL’ know I have the ever loving (and sometimes, otherwise annoying LOL) gift to gab and I wear my heart on my sleave so you just know I have to express myself when I read your journal’s. I read alot but nothing better then someones experience’s. Truth is so much better then fiction and your’s my Sweetie is right at the very top of the list ! I feel like a sponge and just can’t wait to absorb more. 🙂 My point is you should seriously, if you haven’t already consider a book with your journal’s . That being said I must say, “thanks” for taking your time from your extremely busy scedule to keep us all up to date and most of all for giving me a much needed break by being able to drink in your word’s and just for a few minutes pretend I am somewhere else but this otherwise dreary cold place. I have said it many times, you truly HUMBLE me Tan. 🙂 Bless you.
Love You Dale xoxoxo
P.S. OMG can’t get past the bugs !!! Got chills big time !!! BRAVE BRAVE GIRL
I am sure Mom’s call helped you alot and when your having a bad day just think of Brayden’s beautiful smiling face and all will be better. 🙂
Cyn
Jan 21, 2011 @ 02:52:52
Hi Tanya,
WOW, big bugs, roaches and bean mush, not too bad for your first couple of weeks. We are all very proud of you here and miss you very much. Even the girls at work wait for my Tanya stories daily!!! I am glad that there were goat in the drivers way or you would have been flying.
Can’t wait to hear more. take care!!
love you lots
Cyn
Jason Martorino
Jan 22, 2011 @ 13:01:49
Heya Tbird.
Sounds like you’re taking it all in stride! So they threw you into class the moment you arrived huh? Intense. African students are awesome, aren’t they? They have such a thirst for knowledge and genuine, wide-eyed curiousity. Not like our too-cool-for-school student population. My students complain no matter what we do! Nice to hear that you’re developing strong relationships with your fellow teachers. As well as enriching the experience, those relationships will really soften the blow of culture shock when in hits in a month or two. But judging by your pics, you’re having a good time and establishing a strong network of support.
Keep on rockin the boat!
Jason
Angelina
Jan 22, 2011 @ 20:50:35
Hi Missy,
So here you are in Sitipogo that i cannot even find on google map and in good company from what i can read……..big bugs hein…….well i’m sure they’re not as big as the ones in Phuket……hi hi hi…..it actually reminds me when one night you asked me what was the noise we could hear in the fields near our houses and that scared you……..remember all those scary FROGGIES!!!!
Enjoy your teaching Missy……if i were good in maths i would surely volunter but je suis vraiment nul et Thierry aussi alors il va falloir qu’on trouve une autre solution to come and join you ; )
Take care……….will read you soon again…….bisous……Angelina : )