CULTURAL DIVERSITY . . .

Emafini Primary is nestled in the township of Kwadwesi, Port Elizabeth. The school is part of the community but most of the students do not come from the area around the school. It was apparent the diverse culture of this community as I traveled down the streets of houses in a taxi and saw people  going about their daily lives. Once at the school the cultural diversity continued in the classrooms. All of the students' "mother tongue" is Xhosa, however, the degree of knowledge of their language is diverse, as well as their exposure to the English language.  This language barrier was by far my biggest challenge to reach the students I'm teaching. As I interacted with students alongside my Emafini classroom teacher, the barriers seemed to soften a bit and melt away as I read to students, helped them understand their vowel sounds, and the usage of pronouns, and reviewed simple math concepts. My language classes at NMMU have been  helpful when communicating with students.

Throughout the days at Emafini, their diverse culture has been revealed in several ways. One is in their school lunch made with all fresh vegetables and 'mealie', which is government provided and free to all students, although, some bring lunch from home;  their clothing, a uniform, which is the same for all students, but some have holes in their sleeves or their pants, and routines, music and dance are threads  that are woven intricately throughout their school day to teach life skills or concepts; prayer to start and end their day and at lunch; as well as students' independence, monitoring themselves throughout the day without teacher supervision and cleaning the classroom. It is a rich and vast culture that intertwines food, music, dance, religion, and tradition.

VISITS TO GREY, KAMA, AND NORTHERN LIGHTS . . .

Grey Jr. High School

Visiting local schools in the Port Elizabeth area has been an honor and great experience.  The administration, faculty, and students have been so welcoming and gracious.  The students from each school have pride in their program that radiates throughout their facilities. I have seen some of the best facilities to some less than adequate ones, however, the administration, faculty, and students are doing the best they can with what they have been equipped with, in each case. 

Grey Jr. High School is an all boys school. Students wear uniforms and it has a strong traditional image. Grey provides strong academic, sporting, and cultural activities. English is used as the medium of instruction. It is a state supported school, however, ninety percent of the fees come from parents, who currently pay R20 700 ($1,526.00)  for their child to attend.  I observed students who were well disciplined and engaged in the band, sports, and technology programs. Class sizes are small per teacher ratio.  Grey's facilities were pristine and organized with the most up to date                                                                 technology.  

Kama Primary School is also a state supported school, but it operates solely on the funds received from the government. Students at Kuma also wear uniforms.  Xhosa is used as the language of instruction, however, English is taught as a subject.  I observed students who were on morning break on the grounds. Some were eating a snack, others were playing on the playground. I was given the opportunity to visit a 2nd grade class of 44 students and teach the class a song in English.   Kuma's facilities were less than adequate to accommodate the number of students enrolled, therefore, class sizes were overcrowded. Kuma's facilities had a computer lab, where students are given instruction in the upper grades.

Northern Lights is a state supported, special needs school for grades R - 12.  All of its funding comes from the government. Students at Northern Lights also wear uniforms.  Northern Lights specializes in teaching students with physical disabilities.  I had the opportunity to visit several classrooms from grades R - 2nd grade. Northern Lights' students were very disciplined and focused in class and class sizes were very small to allow for more individual instruction. Xhosa and English are used as the medium of instruction. I observed students on morning break; they ate their snacks,  played soccer, ran around, and played. Students in wheel chairs or walking with aiding devices were very independent learners. They were treated no different from those who had no outward disabilities. Northern Lights' students were very eager, friendly. and happy students.  

GRAHAMSTOWN . . .

Today we traveled to Grahamstown where we toured the campuses of Rhodes University and Nombulelo Secondary School.  The Inkcubeko Nendali Team at Rhodes consists  of Dr. Michele Cocks (ISER), Mr. Tony Dold (Selmar Schonland Herbarium), and Mr. Mluleki Nkosi (ISER).   The cultural development team arranged a lecture for us on Bio-Cultural Diversity which included a trip to the forest.   They also allowed us to sit in on a 10th grade Bio-Cultural Diversity Science lesson which was designed to encourage a sense of pride in cultural diversity through the things in nature. Nature is perceived as a space where ancestors occupied space. On the trip we took to the forest, along with the 10th grade class, we  focused on the value of things found in nature for medicinal, relaxation, or many other purposes.  It was a very meaningful experience and gave us a deeper understanding of the bio-culture diversity program and how lessons like it are important for students.

GUIDED READING . . . XHOSA STYLE

I had the opportunity to work at Emafini Primary with another 2nd grade class today. I worked with Miss Thumi and her 45 wonderful students.  One of the highlights of the day was during guided reading groups.  We pulled two leveled guided reading groups and worked on decoding, fluency, and comprehension.  Miss Thumi has seven guided reading groups in her class and reads with them at least once a week.  She focuses on the skills students need to practice  and reinforces those skills with small group instruction.  We discussed the similarities and differences in our curriculum and how we prepare students to be successful readers.  We also discussed and compared our formative assessments throughout the year.  Although we are different in some ways, we're very much alike in others.  It is always helpful to talk with fellow educators!

MY SECOND GRADE FRIENDS AT EMAFINI

Today I had a great time meeting one of the four second grade classes of students at Emafini Primary School.  Miss Poke and her students greeted me with warm smiles.  We worked on a math least to greatest number activity and then had a  Dental Health read-aloud lesson.  During this lesson we translated the Xhosa  language to English  for key words in the story, and practiced this skill with a matching activity.  It was exciting working with the eager students in  Miss Poke class.  I am looking forward to the continued opportunities to work with the students and teachers at Emafini Primary and  sharing my experiences with my students this year at CFIE.

Students working in small groups on a language translation activity of key 

words in the story, Tanner the Tooth, The ABC's of a Happy Healthy Mouth.  

Dr. Gina Collins Mancini donated copies of Tanner the Tooth,and Tabitha the Tooth

The ABC's of a Healthy Mouth books and dolls.  Dr. Mancini is a family and cosmetic 

dentist in Jacksonville, North Carolina.  Dr. Mancini is the author of the books which promote the importance of eating healthy and taking care of your teeth. 

MOLWEINI EMAFINI . . .

Emafini is the school I had the privilege of observing at today.  The staff greeted our group of 15 with a friendly KwaDwesi welcome.  We had the opportunity to tour the facility and meet their wonderful staff. We were placed in various classrooms to observe students and teachers at work. 

My colleagues and I will be spending the next 2 1/2 weeks  observing and teaching students in our subject areas at Emafini Primary.   We had a wonderful time getting to know the staff and students.   Emafini Primary is a beautiful school for students to learn and reach their highest potential.  I'm looking forward to sharing my experiences at CFIE with Emafini Primary and bringing back fabulous stories and experiences to share with CFIE also.  This will be a great partnership!

HIGH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT TEAM

I have been so impressed with the South African citizens since I arrived in this beautiful country. Its people have an attitude of love and support for their fellow neighbors that our country lacks in many ways.  I have watched and reflected on this thought for several days and after visiting Solomon Mahlangu High School, and watching an amazing performance depicting leadership and community support by some of their lead students, I understand why.  These students have been trained by some of the best parents, teachers, and leaders in their community.  The message they follow is to respect themselves and others, take responsibility for themselves, work hard to accomplish great things, help others along the way, and to never forget what and who helped you succeed when you become successful.                                                                                                  
                                                                                       

       Mteugwene Mnced, the principal of the school, shared his focus and goals for students' success followed by a student skit, which was performed eloquently.  I was deeply moved by their commitment to community.                                                                                                                 My goal is to convey to my students this same commitment. If you want to succeed in life, work hard and put you all into it and "make a difference" wherever  you are in your community. 

COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND CRISIS CENTERS

Women and Children Counseling 

The South African people are a proud and strong people known for their ethnic and cultural diversity and strong ties to the community.  Today our guide, Einstein, a 23 year old man,  took us to  visit several community outreach and crisis centers for men, women, children and the blind. These centers are "HOPE" in action in the community and their workers, labor often without receiving anything in return. The resources in these facilities are very limited and little assistance is received from the government,  They operate mostly from private contributions.  We had the opportunity to speak with the counselors about their mission and how we could help when we go back to our classrooms. It starts with educating our children about what is acceptable behavior in the family.

  At the end of the day, Einstein, gave us a special opportunity to see where he lives with his family.  We were grateful  he gave us  insight into his life and that of his family. We  learned so much today about the South African                                                                    community and service learning projects we could possible                                                                    put into action in our classroom communities.

Amadoda Okyenen Counseling for Men

LOVELIFE SOUTH AFRICA

Today we spent some time with a group of wonderful young people at loveLife in South Africa.  Lovelife is a youth focused HIV prevention initiative center.  This non-profit organization promotes AIDS-free living among South African youth.   Youth are encouraged to employ good decision-making  and behavior change,  that motivates them to take charge of their lives for a better future. Upon our arrival we were invited into a beautiful cultural arts room where students are encouraged to express themselves freely through music, dance, and drama. Next we were given a complete tour of the facility and outreach areas including the common room, library, radio station, conference room, vitality room, computer room and free clinic. We experienced their friendly hospitality as they shared their focus with us and presented a South African language lesson.  They also shared South African storybooks for us to take back to the United States to share with our students. At the end of our visit, we all joined hands and lit a candle to commemorate those who had lost their lives to AIDS in recognition of South                                                                 Africa's 21st International AIDS Conference in Durban.

AIDS Prevention Display

Radio Station

NELSON MANDELA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Today is Mandela Day and what could be more appropriate than spending the day at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.  We were greeted with  a warm welcome by Ms. Tohiera Moodien, Ms. Nontobeka Zungu, and Mr. Bradley Lawack who also gave us an orientation to the campus.   Ms. Nontobeka Zungu and students from NMMU  accompanied us on a City Culture Tour in which we learned about many important landmarks and the significance of each one in their country's historical timeline. We traveled back in time and walked the streets of South Africans who had impacted the culture of the people and their communities. We were humbled by their openness in sharing their thoughts and beliefs with us and challenged to be reflective educators with our students as well.

NMMU Students: Nikitia, Sihle, Bontle, and Joy

Addo Elephant National Park & Kragga Kamma Game Park

Today my colleagues and I traveled to the  Addo Elephant National Park, which is 72km. from Port Elizabeth.  This park has many elephants, black rhinos, cape buffalo, ostriches, warthogs, and antelope. South Africa's landscape varies in its physical features and animal life, which we saw first hand.  Observing the animals in their natural habitat in this lovely landscape of South Africa was a  great experience and so different from Jacksonville, North Carolina. I look forward to comparing the geographical features and animal life of these diverse locations with my students.

We also traveled to Kragga Kamma Game Park. It  has antelope, warthogs, zebras, giraffes, and ostriches, white rhino, and cheetahs.  It was an exciting and scary day at this park due to our close encounter with the wild animals.  While we were on a safari jeep expedition, our jeep broke down for about an hour causing us to be stranded  at the cheetah  enclosure.  We were quickly reminded that the six cheetahs were indeed WILD animals and territoriality speaking, "We were on the wrong side of the fence." Due to our calm and highly trained guide we were switched to another jeep and carried to safety as soon as possible. 

VWSA Show of Hands Project

Today my colleagues and I traveled to Uitenhage, South Africa where we volunteered at Htlemeza Primary School.  We painted beautiful murals in a preschool classroom. We helped paint and landscape in the  outside common areas, and assisted with mosaics in the restroom areas alongside students, teachers, administrators, and community members.  It was an exciting and  rewarding experience!  The news media covered this amazing story and conducted interviews with the administrators of the school and also community leaders.  The principal was quoted saying, "The titanic was built by professionals, but Noah's Ark was built by volunteers." What an awesome accomplishment when volunteers work together for the greater good.  At the end of the day, the principal dedicated the school supported VWSA Show of Hands Project to all the volunteers who so graciously gave their time to help.  I felt proud to have had a small HAND in making their school a beautiful place for students to learn and grow. Thank you UNCW and SACHL Project for giving me this opportunity!

Painting Murals 

Planting in the Common Area

Ready...Set... and Off we GO....

I arrived in Port Elizabeth, South Africa with my colleagues about 9:20 PM on July 14 after flights and layovers totaling a bit over 23 hours.  I was excited to check into Hobie Beach Bed and Breakfast, just after midnight,  where our wonderful hosts, Fred and Lyn, welcomed our group with a wonderful Port Elizabeth welcome. Tomorrow on our itinerary we will get an early start and travel to Uitenhage, South Africa, approximately 1 hour away, to volunteer at Htlemeza Primary School to help paint the school.  WOW!  It's going to be another AMAZING day!

South Africa . . . Here I come . . .

Tomorrow I will begin my journey to South Africa.  I am excited to begin this adventure with my colleagues to teach, learn, and return and share my wonderful experience in the Port Elizabeth community with my students and colleagues at Carolina Forest International Elementary.  Please stay tuned as I continue to share my wonderful experiences with you.