Ends and Beginnings

Every day when I arrived at Mama Putiyei's and the school in Azimio-Mapula, I was welcomed with a massive smile by Putiyei's grandmother. Everyone calls her “Coco,” which is the Maasai word for grandma, and she is one of the sweetest, tiniest old ladies I've ever met. Each morning, I would shake her hand and address her in Swahili in the customary way one uses when greeting an elder or someone to whom you want to show respect.

“Shikamoo” (shee-kah-moh) I would say, to which she would answer “Marahaba.” When translated literally, 'shikamoo' means “I hold/kiss your feet”, and 'marahaba' means “you are welcome to do so” but as they are used practically, it's more like saying “I am beneath you” and “Why, thank you for saying that.”

About three days into the training, Coco adopted the charming habit of kissing my hand whenever we would have this exchange. She would then clutch it gently, give it a few pats (which I would always return) and then let go. Though my knowledge of Swahili is limited to the above and a few other key phrases, and our interactions routinely stopped there, she was so obviously pleased simply by my acknowledging her. She treated each time as though it had been years since a young person had properly greeted her (which I know to be untrue) or as though it were the first time she'd met a mzungu (white person) who attempted a Swahili greeting (possible, but unlikely). In any case, I thoroughly enjoyed our interaction every morning and grew quite fond of her during my time there.

Today was our final day of training. Sean decided to tag along as he's spent most of his days working at Zion Home and hasn't been spending much time in the villages. After my customary interaction with Coco and our morning cup of tea, we began class as we have all week, by singing the National Anthem with the children (a requirement of all schools in Tanzania). 

The children then washed their hands in a bucket of water, entered the classroom, and began the work period. We had a beautiful morning of practice. I encouraged the teachers to focus on allowing the children free choice of their activities and on not interrupting those who were concentrating (which was many!). They did a great job on both accounts, which resulted in the best morning we had all week. The children were working steadily and flowing well from one activity to the next, and the teachers spent less time bouncing from lesson to lesson and more time observing. I felt it was a huge accomplishment for them, and a true indicator of how far we've come in these three short weeks.

The practice classroom in action

Leading a group

Building the Pink Tower (and catching me taking his picture)

"Bead Stringing"

Practicing how to unroll a mat

Showing the Geometric Shapes

When the children went home we discussed the written exams, which they completed yesterday and I reviewed last night. They then presented to me the Practical Life materials they had been asked to make as part of the course. I was overall very impressed by these and by their creativity in making them (not to mention the fact that they all actually brought them, which has apparently been a challenge in previous trainings). When we finished with those, I congratulated them on having completed the course and handed out their certificates.

From the Left: Abiati, Humphrey (my translator), Tusajigwe, Ben, Myself, Tatu, and Amina (missing is Upendo, who was absent this week due to a death in her family and who will complete the training on site at her school in the coming weeks with another volunteer) 

Although I wish we'd had more time to spend, I feel confident that all of these people will make great teachers. If their classrooms look anything like ours did this morning, they'll be well on their way.

After enjoying our last lunch together, I thanked everyone at Mama Putiyei's house for all of their help and hospitality throughout the training. I offered a special 'goodbye' and 'thank you' to Coco, during which time I shared with her (via Humphrey) how much I had enjoyed her smile each day. She seemed incredibly pleased to hear this, and it was apparent that my feelings were mutual.

As we rode away for the final time on the back of the piki-piki, a wave of combined sadness and accomplishment came over me. I feel incredibly satisfied with the course and with how far I was able to bring a group of teachers who only weeks ago didn't know the first thing about Montessori. At the same time, the conclusion feels bittersweet and I know that there's still a great deal to be done. Something deep down in my gut tells me this isn't the end, and that my work here has only just begun...