Critical Connections

Connections that Empower the Teachers and Learners

This was a week of critical connections that hopefully will support the work of the teachers for years to come.  

The school now has significant material resources, many of which we have been able to supplement through generous donations to our Education Fund at South Africa Partners over the years - books, computers, copiers. The school has excellent leadership and committed teachers. But a total staff of 35 for 1160 students cannot possibly do everything that is needed. 

The lack of time, and experience with choosing books for students, has led to underutilization of the library. There are books in most classrooms and there are some real bright spots (more below), but in general the school needs a librarian to support the teachers and learners. (We love that SA educators use the word “learners” instead of “students.”) Increasing outreach by the Municipal Library brings us close to making this a reality. 

 

The school’s library committee had an excellent meeting with the impressive new head librarian of the municipality, Mthandazo Desire Ntsham, (at right above) along with the retired -but still involved!- head librarian Isabelle Goosen (at left) and two local librarians who have been coming to schools to read with the youngest learners under a newly funded library program. They are brainstorming ways to bring a librarian to the school for a few days a week to help the teachers choose books, work with learners and do outreach to the families. Our SA Education Fund may play a part in this…

We also had a great meeting with Charlie Josephs, who is the connector of all connectors!  Charlie previously worked for the government and has led many community development programs in this region. In a meeting with the acting principal and the deputy principal, he shared many contacts to move critical initiatives at the school forward. What a great partner!

Laptops Arrived!

The donated laptops arrived with new hard drives and software installed on Friday. These are a critical supplement to the updated computers in the lab. Now teachers can work with their learners on computers outside of the lab or have small group work, in addition to the scheduled time in the lab.

There is wi-fi in the office and computer lab and hopefully the learners will begin using the internet for research in addition to the prescribed software that supplements their lessons.

Comprehensive teacher training is on the horizon! Another critical meeting took place with the acting principal and Sister Breda of the Sisters of Mercy, well known for her computer training. The Department of Education has provided each teacher with a laptop -- but no training. Computer skills vary greatly among the teachers, which also impacts how comfortable they are using computers with the learners.  Eileen has provided some limited training, but much more is needed. In collaboration with school leaders, Sister Breda will soon provide a 10-hour course over several weeks after school, with teachers in two groups based on their current knowledge. This training will be at a very discounted fee, with the Education Fund contributing. (Your donations at work, again!)

Thoughtful discussions in the classrooms

Larry continues to work with the six teachers who instruct students in English in grades 4-7, their second  or third language. he continued to demonstrate the use of reading stories aloud while interspersing thoughtful questions to engage their curiosity and thinking and provide opportunities for language development using the Think-Pair-Share technique.  While still working with the teachers to get more learners to share their thinking, he and the teachers were encouraged and amazed at some of the comments made by the learners.  

Larry asked one group to suggest ways in which animals were similar and different. To give

an example of the wide range of language capabilities in this grade 7 class, some learners could only offer “dog, snake, butterfly, fish” to the question. However, another learner suggested they all move.  While accurate, his suggestion led to a discussion of how they also were different in the way that they move.  But what really blew us away was the learner who looked at the list and suggested that they were all the same (and animals in general) in that they were dependent on each other. This led to an even more interesting discussion of the food chain, my contribution injected into the conversation because this learner didn’t have the language (or the confidence) to share what most assuredly led to her statement. The untapped potential of these learners is obvious. We continue to search for ways to have them express themselves and reach that potential. One way we tried was to have each learner write a response on a sticky note and post it on the blackboard. In this way many more learners contributed their ideas.  

Larry also demonstrated the use of non-fiction big books. The purpose was to show teachers that these books could be used effectively with the entire class to teach skills. He focused on one book’s table of contents. The teacher in this grade 6 class was surprised to find out that many learners knew very little about the table of contents. She plans to teach more directly skills and concepts she had assumed her learners understood and were using. 

Larry also did a demonstration of reading a big book story for grade 1 teachers. Several of the teachers took videos so they could refer back to his techniques to engage the learners. We appreciate the many big books donated by O’brien Associates of Richmond, Virginia.

Perhaps the most exciting moment for Larry came at the conclusion of the lesson in grade 6 as we talked about chapters in non-fiction and fiction books. It turns out that the entire class had books in their back packs and that each week they return them and exchange them for new books. This was the first time in recent years that we had seen evidence that the books in the library were regularly getting in learners hands! With the additional support anticipated from the public library staff mentioned earlier, we are hopeful this example will become the norm at A. V. Bukani Primary School.  

“It is better to do things for someone you don’t know”

One of the things that always strikes us here is how many people work tirelessly day after day to improve life for those with little. The country is in an economic crisis with about a 50% unemployment rate of people 18 – 34, so these efforts mean more than ever.

Many individuals and organizations, both local and international, are collaborating on critical projects. Martha Cummings from Rhode Island has done extraordinary work to upgrade the facilities and provide continuing support to Vusumsi, the other primary school in this township, through a non-profit she started called Universal Promise. 

Nowhere is the commitment of individuals more visible than in Langos, a nearby informal settlement – the poorest of the poor, living without basic amenities like electricity or water. Local resident Muffy Miller first became involved in the community when she saw children rummaging through trash heaps for food in the 1990’s. She has worked tirelessly since then, marshalling resources to provide education and a safe haven for the children there.

Momthandazo and the Langbos children

There is a beautiful preschool (called “crèches” in SA) serving 40+ children, led by headmistress Momthandazo Pipe, born in that community. We are so impressed with her competence and vision. During the past 12 years, the project has grown to include a community center, playground, a perma-culture organic fruit and vegetable garden, solar panels and a wind turbine that powers the center which provides the only light at nighttime in the community. It has created eight jobs, hosts a soup kitchen twice a week, and is sending older students to study tourism. The Langbos Créche and Child Care Centre is a registered non-profit, under the auspices of the local Mayibye Ndlovu Development Trust, and the amazing Charlie Josephs is the Langbos project manager. 

But here’s what truly amazed us this year. With support and management from Intsikelelo Foundation (founded by two young American men), the community now has three “super-adobe” domes, built with paid labor from the settlement, with design help from architects who donated their services. In these extremely durable structures, there will be a library in the loft of the largest dome, a shelter for vulnerable women and children, meeting rooms and more.

The domes today!

The dome construction underway

Amazing construction

These are the largest super-adobe domes in Africa, and possibly the world. A visit to Langbos is a must-see stop if you travel to South Africa! It is near Addo National Park, which has extensive wildlife including elephants, lions and more. 

Eric and the Soul Food delivery

 We visited Langbos on Workers Day (think Labor Day) and met Eric from Soul Food which delivers free food to communities. “I woke up with a free day and could not sit around,” he said, as he dropped off food. “It is better to help someone you don’t know. Your pat on the back is not from a friend, it is from above.” 

We could not stay away, and came the next week after school to sing with the children, staff and families at Langos. What an amazing time we had there! We are hoping to return next week, although our last week here is a busy one. 

Sharing English stories and rhymes with grade 1

The grade 1 learners love hearing the stories and rhymes in English.  They are becoming familiar with the sounds of the language, and beginning to associate the word with the concept. The grade 1 teachers jump right into the action. 

Inspired Anew

It’s been four years since we stepped foot in A.V. Bukani Primary School. In many ways, it felt like four months. There is such a comfortable familiarity with the township and with the school. There are faces we remember, with lots of welcoming hugs. And there are new faces whom we are excited to get to know. Within ten minutes of arriving, there is a meeting with the teachers and we begin our work.

Truthfully, our last visit in 2015 was challenging. The day before we arrived, one of the teachers with whom we had worked closely passed away from breast cancer. It was a sad and difficult time for the school. The school had several other teaching positions open and the Department of Education was dragging its feet to permit hiring of new teachers. (As it turned out, those openings lasted for months after we left.)  The library was barely used. One bright spot was the work on writing that our friend Randi Adleberg was able to do with some of the older students. But the lack of political leadership nationally and in the region was also evident in the school and community. Nowhere was it more visible than the road to the township – the only road – which was dangerously more potholes than tar. 

So we did not know what to expect when we returned this year. But what we see has inspired us anew. As we drove into the township, the first thing we noticed was a beautiful new road, with sidewalks even!  At the school, we saw that the returning teachers, near to our hearts, are bolstered by many new competent teachers. 

Mr. Lamani (r)
and Mr. Matyana (l)

The beloved principal, Mr. Z. Thambo, has moved to a supervisory position in the district. While we miss him, we are so pleased to see Ace Lamani as Acting Principal. Mr. Lamani is a gifted educator who has worked with us since 2008, first as a teacher and later as Deputy Principal.  He lives in the township and cares deeply about every child. He wears the mantle of leadership with a seriousness of purpose. We are very hopeful he will become the permanent principal. He is supported by an excellent Deputy Principal, Andile Matyana. 

Mr. Lamani has worked hard to build on the strengths of the existing staff and bring in committed new teachers. He has high standards and communicates them to the teachers. He asked Larry to work with teachers in grades 4 -7 to review techniques introduced in grades 1-3 in previous years -- Think-Pair-Share, Big Books and Read-Alouds. The goal of all three techniques is to engage the learners in developing their thinking and English skills, starting with hearing the language (Read Aloud) and speaking in English (Think-Pair-Share). Big books help develop an understanding of print and can be used to support content in other areas.

“I saw my learner do something I never expected”

Several of the teachers Larry is working with are new. One noted, “As a teacher, you know your learners. But today, I saw my learner do something I never expected from him.” Noting the student is not disruptive, but can be “playful,” she saw him engaged and participating in new ways with think-pair-share. The teachers are all looking for ways to get their learners to speak more, even the “shy” ones. In addition to classroom work, Larry has led professional development to work collaboratively on the issues. 

Larry was extremely pleased to hear more learners this year actively participating in Think-Pair-Share. When talking with their “Pairs”, they were using much more English in a more sophisticated way. AND, they were more likely to share with the whole group. Great progress attributed to the teachers since our last visit! However, the teachers and Larry all agree they will seek ways to get more learners actively engaged in the next two weeks.

Larry also saw that the upper-grade learners were better able to express themselves in writing. He passed out sticky notes to each learner after asking a question during Read Aloud, and was impressed that many immediately wrote responses and posted them on the chalk board.  This short form of writing seemed well within their comfort zone. Next step will be to engage them in longer attempts (which he knows they can do because of the success Randi Adleberg had during the last visit).

This next week Larry will continue to demonstrate for the teachers in the classrooms, including using Big Books to introduce science content. Then the teachers will take over the teaching during the third week while Larry observes and coaches them.  BTW, there is no school on Wednesday. It is Voting Day and it is a national holiday -an idea the United States should and must adopt. It’s called democracy. 

Larry continued to share his passion for singing with the learners, who exceeded his own excitement. This year he created two Big Books to support the singing of "She'll be Coming 'Round the Mountain" and "He's Go the Whole World in His Hands. (Read the blog next week to hear about a new adventure in singing with local children!)

Eileen has been working with Grade 1 learners– so much fun!  They know “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed” in Xhosa, and she’s teaching it to them in English. They did A LOT of jumping this week, as she read “Jump, Frog, Jump” by Robert Kalan. It is valuable for them to see that English can be fun, and start connecting the language to words and phrases. 

An updated computer lab

The computers in the lab have been updated with the additional memory we were able to purchase and bring with us, which means they can run the programs that the students had been using in previous years to supplement their regular classes. The donated laptops we brought with us have had their new hard drives and Windows installed, but we are waiting for the Department of Education to provide the  school-wide license for Office so that can be installed, as well. While the wheels of the Department grind slowly, school leaders are pressing them to get this done. We are very excited about the prospect of a fully functional computer lab for the learners. 

Eileen is also working with the teachers on computer skills. She led an initial workshop for all the teachers on using the official laptops provided to each teacher, and she will work with small groups on particular skills.

A bright spot in the school is Alex Nowala, who supports the computer lab and helps with finances. Despite Mr. Lamani’s efforts, Alex doesn’t yet have a paid position in the school, only receiving a small stipend from the SGB (similar to a PTA but with much more authority). He lives in the township and has two daughters at the school. He is often the first one there and the last one to leave, with many in the school depending upon him for his skills and knowledge.

There is another “volunteer” in the school who works more than full-time for a small stipend,  Mr. Spokter, the caretaker (custodian with responsibility for everything inside and outside the school). In an area with few jobs, these men don’t wait to find one that suits them. They work tirelessly to support the school their children attend. What a gift they are.

Alive With Music and Joy

The school is always full of music, but especially this year. The choruses were rehearsing for a competition and we had the treat of watching them. Such exuberance - so full of life. It is wonderful to see the teachers encouraging the students to show their personal style and enthusiasm. 

We often remark that everyone sings here. It is a part of life, not a separate endeavor.  In our first year, I asked one of the teachers if a child is ever told not to sing.  She looked at me with a perplexed look, sure she must have misunderstood what I was asking since English is not her first language.  How could they ever tell someone not to sing?

Reconnecting with Family

One of the hardest parts of being far away is not getting to see the Mofu family, with whom we lived for our first three visits. It was wonderful to visit them and catch up. Our first year, Yanga turned 7 – He is now 17 and in high school in the nearby city of Port Elizabeth.  He is such a confident and caring young man. He loves his science classes and we are excited for his plans to become a paramedic. 

The two younger boys in the family are now in middle school, sweet and fun-loving. To the delight of all, there is a new toddler, Pam’s daughter Luminjano which Pam told us means “God's love stands with us through thick and thin.”  We were eager to meet Pam’s husband and were impressed with his warmth and caring. And we saw their home, a few blocks away from her parents in the township. They are fixing it up room by room, with their hard work paying off. 

What a Birthday!

Friday happened to be Eileen’s birthday and the teachers worked hard to cook up a surprise. As she entered the meeting room, the whole staff boisterously sang, “Happy Birthday,” dancing with balloons, and presenting her with a birthday sash and a cake. Such love and joy goes into everything they do. At the end of the day, all 1100 students sang Happy Birthday in English and Xhosa and another favorite song of Eileen’s. It  just doesn’t get any better.

And those teachers!!!!  What a surprise:

A Beautiful Fall

It’s been very hot here even though they are going into winter. Well, hot for us, anyway. Two days went into the mid-90’s. It’s amazing how cool buildings can be when they are built to keep cool. It only hits those temps for a few hours mid-day, and we wear light sweaters in the morning and evening. Fall is a beautiful time of year here.

Surfer in Port Elizabeth