School in Granada

Today we woke up to the sound of rain beating down on the roof, thunder, and departing high school students saying their tearful goodbyes to each other. We're looking forward to a few days of peace before the next crew moves in. Just as we were about to make the journey to school today, praying that the rain would start again, our wish was granted. The heavy rains here mean that school is canceled, so we walked home relishing the rain dripping down our faces and soaking through our clothes. I feel somewhat guilty to be so happy to not have school, and it's not that I haven't enjoyed my time working with the children...but it's pretty exhausting.

Today I wanted to write a little bit about what the schools are like. This school is actually the nicer, or at least the better behaved, of the two. It is crazy how much of a difference there is between them! On Tuesday, we did a review of the test they had just taken, then began a lesson on the human body, teaching them some basic vocabulary such as head, mouth, nose, eyes, etc. We then practiced by playing "Simon says, touch your..." and showing them the "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" song. It was such a challenge even getting the children to hear us and pay any attention that we were only able to do either the song or the game with some classes. Then yesterday, at the other school Nueva Esperanza, the children finished so quickly we didn't even know what to do with the last five minutes! Many of the children at this school were also able to name the body parts in English even before we taught them. I wonder where they got this extra exposure to English, and what makes such a big difference in their behavior...

Both of the schools have these bars that make us take back our words for ever saying our schools look like prisons. It also means that the classroom is no relief from the heat outside, and we have to yell over not only the students talking, but the noise of the construction work outside.

The playground is nothing more than a few swings and this dirt courtyard, but the boys play soccer here with imaginary goals when they're lucky enough that somebody brings a ball to school. The girls mostly sit around and talk, or go on the swings. One of the girls, Karla, invited us to play "Tiburón", which literally translated means 'shark', but is just tag.

We've started to get to know a few of the children, and while we don't pick favorites...there are a few who we're especially excited to see. I was totally swept off my feet yesterday when a little boy walked into the class late, wearing a purple dress shirt tucked into slacks. He started to take the chair next to me at the very back of the class, so I asked him he wanted to move the desk forward. He nodded, so I got up to help him. He looked at me and waved his hand, "Siéntate....por favor" he said with a smile. ("Sit down, please"). Probably the biggest gentleman I have encountered in Nicaragua so far.
Yet, he is a sweet goofball with an adorable giggle.

It is hard to say how much of a difference we're making here, and I'm not sure what kind of changes would be allowed to improve the system. While I see the benefit of knowing English here, I know that just being exposed to so much vocabulary without it being incorporated and reinforced over time into their curriculum isn't conducive to much retention or meaning for the students. When students decide that they don't want to do the work or don't even want to go to school, there isn't much that anyone can do. I just hope that for 45 minutes a day, we can make some positive experiences with the children and help them to see in a positive light.