i realize i haven't written in a while, with so many thoughts sometimes it's hard to organize it all coherently. plus - started reading a good book called the geography of bliss. excellent read about where you can find hapiness (word to the wise - it's in zanzibar :) ).
this week i've been thinking a lot about chances and education.
i thought before i got here that in this country (tanzania) educatino opened doors. that dreams can be discovered and goals can be accomplished through education. while this thought is partially true - i realized it opens 1 door. there is really only 1 option - which is 1 step above where they currently are.
the classes are prevelant in arusha. while thee is extreme poverty- there is also the upper class. they wear business-like suits, live in houses with more than one room and walk around the city with a sense of ownershi.
i suppose the class system is relatively the same everwhere in that regard.
the issues i'm learning about are the numberof barriers that exist as stopping blocks for the majority o f these children.
education is not 1 way out of their extreme poverty stricken life - it is the only way out.
they can't accidentally strike it big and win the lotto - as i haven't even seen that option.
they can't become mega-rap stars overnight or play for the knicks and solve all their family's problems.
while i'm sure there are examples of this that i'm unaware of - chances are too slim to chance.
with that in mind - i find it hard not to be tough with these bordlines malnuritoushed chidlren. what do they know? they better stop playing around and eating erasers and focus in class or else thier opportunity will fade in front of them.
it's frusterating to see students do poorly in school as it's not like bratty teen in the states who will still manage to get into ivy league beacuse of daddy's money. these kids are excited to come to school, they are *thank god* taught to appreciate education and no s ome level, understand the value.
i met a boy the other day walking along the orad - forgot the name - but our conversation made an impression on me. it was the same day Zuma mentioned how he never went to college. he reazlies the value and regrets missing this chance but this is why he started cheti school. he works for god, he says. what is education if not for teaching others and improving all our lives? i was thinking of zuma when talking tot his boy.
i asked him if wants to go to college and said he should try to go in the states. he said yes, this was one of his dreams. he was almost done with seconary dschool and was just scared and unsure of how to afford the visa and make something liekt hat possible.
i told him there are ways to make it work. he should then come back and help others in his own country. he nodded "... that is one of my other goals. to do good for others".
i gave him my email and told him we'd help him find a way.
for education without purpose is useless, even this boy understands that. here in tanzania, education is just 1 door. if only we can figure out how to help open more...
this week i've been thinking a lot about chances and education.
i thought before i got here that in this country (tanzania) educatino opened doors. that dreams can be discovered and goals can be accomplished through education. while this thought is partially true - i realized it opens 1 door. there is really only 1 option - which is 1 step above where they currently are.
the classes are prevelant in arusha. while thee is extreme poverty- there is also the upper class. they wear business-like suits, live in houses with more than one room and walk around the city with a sense of ownershi.
i suppose the class system is relatively the same everwhere in that regard.
the issues i'm learning about are the numberof barriers that exist as stopping blocks for the majority o f these children.
education is not 1 way out of their extreme poverty stricken life - it is the only way out.
they can't accidentally strike it big and win the lotto - as i haven't even seen that option.
they can't become mega-rap stars overnight or play for the knicks and solve all their family's problems.
while i'm sure there are examples of this that i'm unaware of - chances are too slim to chance.
with that in mind - i find it hard not to be tough with these bordlines malnuritoushed chidlren. what do they know? they better stop playing around and eating erasers and focus in class or else thier opportunity will fade in front of them.
it's frusterating to see students do poorly in school as it's not like bratty teen in the states who will still manage to get into ivy league beacuse of daddy's money. these kids are excited to come to school, they are *thank god* taught to appreciate education and no s ome level, understand the value.
i met a boy the other day walking along the orad - forgot the name - but our conversation made an impression on me. it was the same day Zuma mentioned how he never went to college. he reazlies the value and regrets missing this chance but this is why he started cheti school. he works for god, he says. what is education if not for teaching others and improving all our lives? i was thinking of zuma when talking tot his boy.
i asked him if wants to go to college and said he should try to go in the states. he said yes, this was one of his dreams. he was almost done with seconary dschool and was just scared and unsure of how to afford the visa and make something liekt hat possible.
i told him there are ways to make it work. he should then come back and help others in his own country. he nodded "... that is one of my other goals. to do good for others".
i gave him my email and told him we'd help him find a way.
for education without purpose is useless, even this boy understands that. here in tanzania, education is just 1 door. if only we can figure out how to help open more...
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