Reflections and Thoughts

Hello World,

So today we had our second day of our teaching. It becomes more and more rewarding as we go on. Today we learned that some of our learners have walked two hours to come and be taught by us for two hours. I think we can all agree that in most other countries this would never be the case. A lot of the kids in the U.S. can’t stand outside for five minutes to wait for the school bus to come without their parents or themselves complaining about the weather or an inconvenience. The kids here in Namibia walked two hours in 95 degree weather for a chance to learn more English.

Today my co teacher and myself taught a lesson that was supposed to last an hour. It ended up taking us about 50 minutes. So I made the executive decision that we would play games for the last ten minutes. We got up and walked outside to a shaded spot where we played a get to know you game followed by hot potato. The kids absolutely loved it. I even had one of the learners tape us playing the game because she thought it was so interesting. Who knew that teaching someone a game that most people find repetitive and boring back home would be such a rewarding experience?

I think that teaching in a foreign country gives a person a whole different perspective about everyday life. The kids here are so wonderful and I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to learn and teach with them. I don’t think that I can express enough how lucky I feel to be able to come on this journey and learn so much about myself and about others.

No matter how mentally or physically draining this experience is I think I’ll come out of it with more good than bad experiences. As my mom always says, if it’s not good more than 50 percent of the time, it may not be worth it (whatever “it” may be). I would like to add a clause to this statement. If the experience makes you a stronger person or changes yourself or someone else for the better, it’s worth it. I may be tired of not being able to have running water all the time or feeling thirsty and hot all the time. I may be tired of remembering to take my malaria meds or sleeping under a mosquito net.  I may be tired of having to hand wash my clothes or work all day long and only have time to sleep and wake up and do it all over again. However, despite all of this, I truly believe this is the best thing I’ve ever done and may ever do in my life.

On that note, I hope everyone is doing something they find rewarding in their lives right now. Do what you’re passionate about. Don’t wait until life has passed you by to think about what you could have or should have done. Take every opportunity that comes no matter how daunting or challenging it may seem.

Peace and love,

Chelsea