May 15, 2018: Thoughts on Our Last Evening in Maranyundo


May 15, 2018

Today was our last full day at Marayundo and it was a full day. Here is a tally of the events and experiences we have had as we try to finish our tasks and learn as much as we can to take back to our Boston supporters.

·      I met with Musisi Leonard, Science Teacher, and gave him the materials that Sara Wilner-giwerc gave me to bring to the school. The kit included electric paint for designing circuits, LED lights and switches, 9 volt batteries and connecting wires. He was thrilled. I also sent him CEEO videos on information about some of the activities that have been developed with these materials in the CEEO.
·      I observed Teacher Gilbert’s English class where he was teaching the Conditional Sentence. (Using If). It was a well developed class; I could see how his time with Dorian was paying off for him. He encouraged conversation among the girls as they developed sentences and moved around the class as students worked on their assignments. Later, Jane and I were invited to his next class in which the girls performed a play called The Cooking Pan. It was a timely play in that it showed a family adjusting to new ideas of gender equality. The acting was impressive; the costumes carefully chosen. At the close of the play, two students spoke about how to interpret the play and the major themes that worked through the characters. Gilbert is a skilled teacher.
·      I observed Khalia’s S3 class this afternoon. She is giving them very clear instruction on how to distinguish a topic from a theme in the short stories that they have read. Again, as in Gilbert’s classes, it is clear that the girls enjoy writing and sharing their ideas with one another. Khalia is well respected among the faculty. She is a helpful colleague. She is keenly sensitive to the cultural shifts that the country is making, especially as far as gender roles is concerned. Her students are clearly delighted by her lessons and she is encouraging them to write, especially essays about lessons they have learned and ways they have met challenges , as well as their hopes for the future.
·      I taught my third and final class of Novel Engineering. This evening the girls presented their choice of problem to solve for Nya and the sketches that detailed the solution. What a great time we had as the “engineers” presented their ideas and designs to the “panel of funders.” The girls had only three days to read the text and one evening to work on their solution. The collected sketches and photos I have are treasured artifacts already!  I am eager to share my experience with seasoned CEEO instructors.

Saying good-bye to Maranyundo Girls School is never an easy process. This time our visit has been quite special, as we have had more opportunities to teach the girls and to speak with the teachers , as well.  Tomorrow will be our last day at the school; we will leave for the airport in the late afternoon. The long flights home will be a welcome time to reflect and enjoy new memories of MGS.

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