MirandaNet Fellows in Free State, South Africa
Latest
News | WE Citizens Newsletter | Reports
from the Advisers
Mara Chrystie
Unitas Welkom, Lejweleputswana
See a picture sequence of Mara's
visit by clicking here
Monday November 1st
12-ish arrive at guest house to discover that there is only
one room, thought we were a couple. A room in the guesthouse
next door but one has been suggested, we go to check it out.
It’s fine, basic, and I move in and we speed off to
Unitas.
First impression of the school is that it looks like a prison,
fences with razor wire, doors with gates and grilles. Once
you get in its lovely, plants, international flags and photos,
and lots of children’s artwork.
Planning session mainly with Piet, the Vice Principal, till
3.30. He thought we were going to teach each subject area
each day to all 6 Grade 8 classes so we spent quite a lot
of time renegotiating and explaining the project. He was extremely
helpful and flexible. We were joined by the Principal, Jenette,
for some of the meeting who was very welcoming and also stressed
she will do anything to make our stay as interesting as possible,
including arranging traditional food and music. We arrange
to meet the staff before school and run a staff meeting after
school tomorrow.
Tuesday November 2nd
Attended staff meeting before school, introduced to Educators
and briefly outlined project. First day teaching, nervous
but it was fine, really enjoyed being with the Learners. Good
response from all classes. Started the lessons with Kennedy
reminding them that I came from the UK and trying to find
out what they knew about it.
We introduced Sights and Sounds and Learners came up with
lots of suggestions, including the importance of culture and
respect for ancestors. Went around the school taking photos
with one group, great fun. Principal and Piet, one of the
Vice-principals, fantastically helpful, willing to re-arrange
anything for our benefit. Met some great people, Thomas, last
year’s chair of Student Representative Council, and
Cosmos, a local artist and ex-student, Thato, a lovely Grade
8 girl writing about AIDS. Kennedy led on the final part of
the lessons on Learners who Make a Difference, good working
in partnership with him.
Heard the great news that artists are coming- 3 Afrikaner
women.
Ran a staff meeting on 3 issues:
- Update of Lapa project, introduced by Kennedy
- Questionnaires
- Mind maps.
Staff very supportive, some took questionnaires home to
complete. Several people are absent, we left questionnaires
for them. I take several books on the arts, OBE, curriculum
etc. home to prepare for tomorrows teaching and introductory
session with artists.
Wednesday November 3rd
A day with the artists! Began the day with sorting out rooms,
materials and timetables, hope to cover two classes with the
artists. Louisa, arts and culture teacher, invited students
to show a range of their work, which was very varied and impressive.
Cosmos had come in to leave a lovely selection of his work
to show us.
Only two artists arrive instead of the expected three, and
Cosmos wasn’t able to join us as hoped as he had to
go to college for a lengthy evaluation session. We introduced
ourselves, outlining our background in education and the arts.
I explained the purpose of the E-lapa project and pointed
out the importance of arts to the project and the website.
I led a discussion on art in education in relation to:
- the specific outcomes of the Arts and Culture curriculum
- its intrinsic value and enjoyment
- expressing culture
- its contribution to the whole curriculum.
After a brief introduction by the artists, the children
began to use pencil, crayons, pens and pastels to interpret
their idea of Lapa. Some needed more help in understanding
the task so their teacher, Louisa, Kennedy, the artists and
I added encouragement and information. As the Learners were
beginning to do excellent work but had not finished by the
end of the hour and a half, the artists suggested we keep
the same group which we agreed to. Both artists worked well
with the Learners, Liz encouraging them not to be afraid of
colour, and Pauline urging them to “work from their
hearts”.
At the end of the session some of the Learners spoke to
the class about what they had learned, and several came to
the front to talk about their pictures.
Louisa had also arranged a fantastic display of music for
us after the art lesson- steel pans, brass band and marimba.
We met with the Principal and art teacher after school to
discuss the day, and we all agreed it would be good to work
with them again when they would have more time to prepare.
Louisa said she’d had some good advice from Lis on using
paper clay. We planned our next day’s programme with
the Principal.
Interviewed Thomas, the outgoing chair of the Student Representative
Council, and the Junior Mayor of the local area- fantastic
guy. Pauline was experienced in digital film, so operated
David’s camera which we’d borrowed for the day.
Thursday November 4th
Amazing day! Taught first two periods, the class I was warned
was the worst Grade 8 were fantastic, full of really interesting
questions. Cindi, their Maths teacher, was really helpful
and very good at explaining Mindmaps. I really enjoyed the
teaching. Kennedy was going to try to get the other 4 groups
Mindmaps but was called back to the office.
Afterwards, Jennette took me to Morning Star, a day care
centre for children with HIV/Aids. It was very bright and
optimistic, children playing and singing. Well equipped and
well decorated. Children getting very nutritious meals, medicines
and supplements. The centre doesn’t get involved in
anti-retro virals, considers that an issue for the family.
Concerned about side effects and need for regular medication.
Also concern that govt message focuses solely on condoms.
Showed us a very moving film. We also spent time with the
women at the paper and textile workshops, beautiful stuff.
Most are HIV+. Ernst took us around the gardens, very healthy-looking
vegetables and beautiful roses.
When we got back we were treated to a fantastic display
of song, dance and poetry with the children dressed in a range
of traditional dress. Their teacher had made a dress specially
for the occasion. We then enjoyed an amazing feast of African
food and drink. The school had really gone to an huge amount
of trouble, it was very special.
Kennedy had arranged for Tebello to come to my place so
I could interview her about what a Lapa was, very interesting
and she looked beautiful in traditional Sotho dress. We also
caught the owner of David’s guest house Magnolia Lodge,
Betina, saying what Lapa meant to her and showing us her indoor
Lapa and indoor braai- fascinating. We then went to Tebello’s
place, lovely home with very interesting “African room”
with beautiful crafts, watched video of Basotho mineworkers
dancing at an Ancestral feast.
Friday November 5th
What a different day. Meet Kennedy in the morning to learn
that Tebello was in a car accident immediately after dropping
me off, on the corner of my block. She had right of way but
a car drove into her from the side. The children are ok, but
she has been detained in hospital. The other piece of news
is that Kennedy’s workplace has been broken into and
his computer and all his back-up disks have been stolen, devastating
for him. We go to the hospital and it’s shocking to
see Tebello flat in bed and attached to a drip after seeing
her so vibrant last night. It would appear that there are
no broken bones, hopefully just bruising to her head and shoulders,
she is waiting for the result of x-rays.
Kennedy has to go back to the office to sort out the break-in
with police etc, drops me off at the school some time before
9. I have planned to do the Mindmaps with the remaining 4
groups but Piet tells me I can’t do any teaching that
day as the classes are being re-arranged for tests starting
on Monday. As he has been incredibly helpful and flexible
all week I don’t feel I can push it, I can leave Kennedy
to sort it out.
Decide to see if I can interview any members of staff about
their views on the project so far. Start with one of the computer
teachers who gave me a very professional mindmap. Very positive
about the project, her husband has a company that takes a
van round to communities so that small children can use the
4 computers connected in the back. Go to see Erna, the hotel
teacher, to thank her for all the work she put into yesterday’s
cultural event. She is very optimistic about the future of
her hotel training as a private hotel school is going to be
based there from next term. They will mainly be offering a
theoretical course so computers will be installed, which co-incides
well with the E-lapa programme. Piet later tells me that they
will have to upgrade the kitchen, but income from the arrangement
will more than pay for it. The students will stay in the hostels,
bringing in more income. A Learner proudly shows me the project
he has done about the Tswana with text and pictures. He asks
me if I can speak Tswana- I answer in Tswana. Visit the art
teacher who had invited me to see the Learners doing their
art exam, some excellent work and great concentration. There
is an announcement over the tannoy calling me to the office….
Uneventful drive to the airport, through some dust storms.
When we get there we are joined by Tebello’s brother.
Amazing that she is thinking of us as she lies in her hospital
bed. He’s very interesting, is responsible for student
services at Bloemfontein University and is also a musician.
Then Alice arrives, I’m really surprised although she
had said she would. Next, Bertha arrives so it’s a jolly
send-off. Discover a lovely card from Jenette in my bag.
Reports from the Project Advisory Team
Here are some reports from the MirandaNet team: more will
follow.
- Andree Jordan,
e-Lapa Adviser for Retief High School
- David Thomas,
e-Lapa Adviser for Heilbron School, Heilbron
- Mara Chrystie,
e-Lapa Adviser for Gelukwaarts School, Van Stadensrus
- John Cuthell,
e-Lapa Adviser for Ikanyegeng Combined School, Ratanang
- David Jordan
, e-Lapa Adviser for Marallaneng School, Ficksburg
- Mara Chrystie,
e-Lapa Adviser for Unitas Welkom
- Tom Rank,
e-Lapa Adviser for St Bernard’s High School, Motheo
District
- Lawrence Williams,
e-Lapa Adviser for Retshedisitswe
Article in the Volksblad, October 28th
2004
World ECitizens Newsletter
Back
|
