American friends of mine, Alan and John Michael, along with my boyfriend, Kris, were able to install all the playground equipment just in time for classes on August 10th
So, school resumed a few weeks ago and I was able to visit the school in La Mansion where Director Froilan is currently working. Classes at Paz y Esperanza started off very well the first full week I returned to teach, but things are kinda slowing down. I do think that its because the children, namely the 4th through 6th graders, are not being challenged enough by the work I'm giving them. By the way, my 6th graders can read simple English phrases with almost perfect pronunciation.....kind of amazing.....
So, I'm trying to find all new teaching material/review worksheets online and in the volunteer teaching materials to reinforce what the older kids have learned about family and possessive pronouns. I'm also trying to get the curriculum done by some time in September, adjusting lessons that I've already done and adding specific information on which worksheet correspond with which lessons. Big task, but I really wanna have it done already.
The school in La Mansion is quite charming for a public school in Peru. The grounds are spacious and the children are surprisingly well-behaved and polite (most of them, anyway). I enjoyed my visit, and I hope to visit some schools in Paucarpata this week. However, I don't know how taken I will be with those schools....I overheard the 3rd grade teacher at Paz y Esperanza describe her experience teaching there as "horrible". She said that the children were violent.........I guess I should prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
I'm getting along well with the new Director. He's asked me about the history of CDCA and the relationship between the NGOs. He is very interested in CDCA's efforts and has shown his support for the organization in APAFA (similar to PTA- in a more "developing nation" kind of way) meetings. I shall update on what transpires from his involvement in the situation at Paz y Esperanza.
APAFA meeting held in the kitchen once used as a classroom
APAFA wokring on a wall (to protect the garden area, I think?)
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