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Published: February 4th 2009
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The reference to High School musical in the title is completely accidental....there can be no connection between that pop culture and what I am about to describe, in fact, the juxtaposion could not be more pronounced.
Our day 4 in Nicaragua must be written in two different blogs. This is merely the first hour of our day....and is a testament to the engagement of our team. Last night, when offered the option between sleep and an early morning option to visit the starting ceremonies of the school we worked on yesterday, everyone of our team chose to get up by 6:15 and attended the 7:00 Opening Ceremonies. Wow...can you believe that all the high school students chose to get up early and go to school....for me the shock is still present.
At 6:45 we boarded the bus....ok, it was actually 7:00, but it was scheduled for 6:45 and headed back to the school, Cama de Piedra. Today was the first day of school after summer holidays (sorry I didn't make that clear in yesterday's blog) and arrived to the students, neatly assembled in rows preparing to sing the national anthem. Check out the photos of the students singing. Students
of Fundy take note, they put you all to shame.
Then, as all events in Nicaragua are apt to do, the day began with a series of speeches about the start of the school year, the work the Canadian team and the greatest applause of the morning (from the students and parents assembled) came for news about the new toilets (actually, toilets that worked). An emotional point here from me (yes, there are tears in my eyes). Simple things are often overlooked in our North American ideas of grand project that make 'lasting difference' in the developing world. Toilets! Yes, something that simple, may achieve far more lasting diffence than all the grandly contrived projects. Sometimes, we just need to be 'available' to make a difference, its not always about what we plan...and, it is often what we overlook when we are not available to 'hear'
Then, we presented packages of supplies to the teachers, and boxes (actually suitcases and boxes) of supplies (the ones purchased yesterday) to the principal, allowing her to 'provide' for her school. For me, the poignant moment of the morning came when I was asked to give a speach. There I was, in
front of a school with no windows, few supplies, concrete floors, and students full of anticipation. Words failed...which may surprise most of you, but I was...what could I say. This was a real, viseral educational experience, not the glossy, contrived, window dress version back home, where I was 'bugged' by the possibility I would have to share my LCD projector, or I throw away 'whiteboard' pens with reckless abandon....yes...I know, I don't seem to be at a loss for words now...in fact I am rambling. But as an educator, it was truly surreal.
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maxine
maxine lewis
From a proud Gran
For 12 or 14 years now I have been watching Fundy kids and have always been proud of the students, their parents and the teachers that I have met. This trip to Nicaragua will change the lives of these young Fundy people as well as the children with whom they come in contact. For the rest of your lives take a moment to reflect on what you see. Go Alyssa. Sheila Lewis