Library Feuds

This week has seen more productive action than the last two weeks combined I feel like. Classes for my sixth graders get easier to manage everyday. I'm getting to know the kids and their personalities better, and the students are enjoying themselves more as well. We're still reading the Lion King, unfornuately, probably for the fifth time. Lorna and I do vocabulary, comprehension questions, discussions and whatever else so they can understand this story. I won't be able to get Simba or Hakuna Matata out of my mind if I tried. Tomorrow is the big quiz, though, so we'll see how my little geniuses measure up. Today we played hangman for the first time to go over vocabulary. It was such a hit. We split the class into two teams, the 'Angels' and 'Hello.' Ha. Once we created a sense of competition, all the kids suddenly knew how to spell these words and give us a definition. At the end, things got a little rowdy, when some boys started cheating. Intense yelling broke out and then they started climbing on desks. I couldn't stop laughing but Lorna took control. I'm excited for the quiz.

Besides regular class, Blake and I started our HIV/AIDS education project. He and I are teaching a junior high class twice a week and today was the first day. I don't like the term teaching here, because I'm no expert on the medical conditions but I have had the information drilled in me more than they have in Asenemaso. Honestly, I was nervous to start. Prior to leaving for Ghana, I did my own research on the basic facts of the matter and got a UNICEF guide to being a mentor on HIV. Regardless of being semi-prepared, I did not know what to expect: Will the kids want to talk to Blake and me about sex? Will they just stare at us as we ramble on about cold sores and condoms? Do they already know everything or do they not know anything at all? Surprisingly, however, the class went extremely well. At least I think so, the kids could be thinking something different. Blake and I wanted to create and informal atmosphere, so the students would feel more open and trusting towards us about such a sensitive subject. We did a pretty good job, emphasizing that we're only a few years older and we're all going through the same feelings and experiences. To start, we went through a true or false questionnare. The questions were simple enough, but it was evident that half were still misinformed. After that, we expanded on what they were confused on. Then we discussed the cultural practices that exist in Ghana that would possibly affect HIV/AIDS spreading. For example, during tribal customs, where there is cutting to make certain marks on the body, only one blade is used. Blake and I got some interesting questions too, that I feel like I can't even mention. Also, even though the kids have a pretty good idea what's going on, adults in the community are pretty clueless.

Subcontracting for the new library is underway. Estimates for the ceiling, furniture, shelves, paint, electricity and security are in, and tomorrow construction will start. From what I can tell, the job is relatively less complicated than I imagined. It doesn't take that much to build a library here, as long as you are able to babysit and prod along all the workers so they do their work by the deadline. It's sad though, when we open the library the books won't be there yet. A grand opening for an empty library. The books will get there a week after we leave, supposedly. I just wanted to see my little students reading all those books in the brand new library before we left.

Everyday this week other volunteers and I have been tutoring at the Manchea library during the afternoons. This has been a struggle, because the school where that library is located does not want to keep it open past three. Which is ridiculous because the kids get out of school at three! Twice I've had to yell at the teacher as he was putting on the padlocks to the library doors hours earlier than necessary. Since the volunteers have been at the library the past few weeks kids have been flocking there. Yesterday there were probably 80 to 100 in this tiny room. It got loud quickly and just became havoc. Crazy but exciting to see kids go beserk over books. Today was frustrating, however, because a funeral was taking place at the Manchea school. Classes were canceled for the day and the library was supposed to be closed. Funerals are all day celebrations here with hundreds of people, not particuarly for mourning. I walked over there anyways knowing some of the regular kids would still be waiting outside for me. The doors to the library were open when I got there, but not for reading. Instead, it was being used to store drinks and have a party. I was sooo angry! I walked in anyways, followed by a few kids. Sitting in a corner, we drew books off the shelves and started to read, all while I was shooting dirty glances at the obnoxiously loud people guzzling their sodas and eating their fufu. The headmistress of the Manchea school was one of the attendants at the funeral and heard I was in the library. She asked snobbishly what I was doing there today. I told her "I'm tutoring to kids in a library, is that not allowed??" She just walked away. After a while it go too loud to read, so we left, but I had the urge to turn tables as we were leaving.

This weekend we're going to a more remote village that I don't know the name of to spend a night. I hope it's more tribal, but it's all a guessing game.