Friday the 23rd was the last day of school. Students had two examinations and then started the hassle. I have hard time believing what they go through here in order to get information, all necessary papers and approval to leave. If I was one of them, I would go crazy.

First all 800 students needed to get signatures from all departments (eight of them) that they have returned their assignments and so on. So all students were running around getting these signatures, while all teachers were hiding trying to avoid their responsibility.

Then all students had to gather on the ground to listen to the principal’s announcements. There are no speakers so when ever teachers need to get students’ attention, the big bell is banged and students are gathered on the ground. Teachers follow in their own speed, usually about half an hour later.

So principal explained that now it is time for students to go on the field for their posts. They have today time to pack their things. No food will be served from the next morning. All students are required to get their field assignments from each department and when all this is ready everyone will gather together back on the ground to here the locations of posts.

So each student started again his trip through all departments. After four hours everyone, some succeeded, some not so well, gathered again by the principal. Then it was like a judgement day. Principal started announcing one day at a time the location which she or he would be posted. After each student’s name the reactions were different. Some started crying, some started laughing. It was a chaos. It took two hours for the principal to announce everyone’s name and post. Most of the students were shocked. The locations were around the districts, mostly in some bushes. It was very emotional for them.

Since today was the last day of school I had invited all female students into my house for dinner. I felt that it would be a disaster since they had just received their post places. I was wrong. After three hours of eating, gossiping and laughing everyone was happy and ready to start his teaching career in the bush or in the village. We had a blast.

Ali had cooked several dishes so we had lots of food. I had arranged little going-away gifts for all so that made them also happy. Kanda and Ali were of course enjoying themselves; after all it doesn’t happen often that they get to spend an evening with ten great women.

We talked a lot and girls asked lots of questions. I got to know them better and they learned a lot about Mzungus. I have to say that I admire them all. Two of them have children and still they are ready to be posted six hours away from their kids. Three of them were Muslims and we had some interesting discussions about being the third or fourth wife for someone. I learned a lot and have to say that my understanding grew a lot again also. It was also very interesting to see all differences what comes to arranging parties. Starting from eating habits, continuing to discussions and ending with thanking hosts. I loved having them over.

The girls left at ten because they needed to hurry back to dormitories before closing. We had our farewells and they were gone. I had only two months time with them but I will miss them now that they are gone. I wish them all the best. It won’t be easy but I know they can do it!

23.5.2008 The past week has been quite a hassle. I haven’t had time to write what I want; instead work has kept me busy.

First of all this is the last week for the students. They have had exams and we have tried to help them. They were told that the college needs to be empty by Saturday, which means that now students are running around and calling to their relatives to send them money for the bus fare. It is not exactly like home, when you decide to go somewhere, you just go. Here you have to find the money for bus fare first. We are talking about less than 8 euros which is more than they get from home for one year usually.

Anyway, students will finish their exams today on Friday. They have had 12 exams in ten days. I don’t know how to feel. First of all, it seems that the teaching has been done here during the year, not just in sports but other subjects also. Then students have received all the exams through some of their canals day before each exam. So each night they are gathering together to memorize the answers for next day’s exam. Then they pass them and everyone seems happy. And I thought we had some problems in sports department.

Sports department (three tutors, Kanda the manager and me) has gone through some rough times also. The result from the last years exams are the worst in history. The ministry and the head of the college has taken it seriously which means that there have been meetings after another. Now all tutors are on their toes and everyone is harassing them. Personally I think it is good. It is about time to do something in this college!

So instead of writing my blog or thing that I like I have been writing reports and development plans for the college or the future project in other colleges. I feel like the computer has become too close to me. It might feel the same way since it has started act up on me. We are not cooperating anymore. Maybe it has malaria – I don’t know. I need to take it to a doctor!

22.5.2008

Sitting outside the house

Here the house is not a place to spend time with your family. House with its one stuffy room is meant for sleeping only. So when walking on the streets you find people sitting on the shadow side of the house leaning to the wall with their families talking, eating or just relaxing while watching forward what ever might be happening there.

Sleeping in the ditch

During the hottest period of day people seek place to have a rest. You find people in the ditches taking a nap from their daily job while waiting for “lunch hour” to end. First you might think that they are all poor homeless people but they aren’t. They are just taking a little nap before going back to work. And why spend time going somewhere when there is a perfect place nearby.

Children urinating on the streets

We all know how unfair the situation is for us woman when we need to use the bathroom. Men can just turn their backs and do it there. Well, now I have found out that children have it even better. Today I first witnessed how a mother was just holding a baby in the middle of the road in the air while the baby was peeing straight forward. They didn’t take a step to the side, just there in the middle of the street. First I thought that was funny.

Then while taking a daladala I saw another thing. Mother was holding for her baby out of the window while doing it. Well, I have to say that it was better than the one before. I still don’t know how greyhound would feel if we tried this at home.

Visa

For those who are interested my visa and working permit are still in process. I think it is safe to say that things take time here in Africa. I have been here now five months and I still haven’t gotten it. Maybe I will get my paperwork finished before going home in December.

Practise Times

I run basketball practise every day. Students have asked for it to be at four. I usually go to the ground at four. I find children waiting for me there. My “real players” start showing up at five. We are all together at 5:30. By that time I am usually tired but try to hold myself together to run the practise. It gets dark after six but players want to stay as long as possible. Some leave earlier to get some food. College dinner time is at six. Rest of us stay until we can’t see a thing, or at least I can’t. I ask what time tomorrow. They reply at four. Yes right, I don’t know there is no hurry in Africa!

Shorts

While practising the other day one of my players ripped his pants in the crutch. He was very embarrassed. I said it didn’t matter but he was feeling down. Next day he came with stitched ones which of course didn’t last at all. I decided to buy him new shorts which made him very happy. You should’ve seen his face when wearing the pants. I got them from the second-hand market for 2 euros. They are the coolest kind. These little things make the biggest difference here.

Cleaning the office

Students are “asked” to do duties around the college. They cut the grass, water the plants, wash the rice and make tea for tutors. In addition to these shared with all students, there are some special duties assigned to some students. The other day I witnessed how one the lady student was stopped on her way to dormitory. She was “asked” to clean our PE office. At first I thought that it was ok. I was thinking of emptying the trash pins and so on. Well, she came later while I was in the office. She started by sweeping the floor, continued by washing the floor with a rag and then all the shelves and tables in the office. I couldn’t just watch there so we cleaned together. We had a great two hours. We talked a lot and had fun cleaning the office. I was wearing my shorts so I thought I was ok. She was wearing a very nice dress which didn’t seem to bother her at all. She still cleaned like a pro. She told me that she was asked to clean the office every week, her alone. She didn’t complain but I did. Why isn’t anyone helping her? She said, it is her duty. What are the others doing? Nothing, she replied.

I know that people don’t complain in this country, well not the same extend like we do. They take what is given to them. I still have hard time understanding why they treat each other so badly. If your fellow has a special duty, they don’t help. If your job is not to clean the floor, you might even throw trash on the floor in front of the person responsible. Thanking a waitress or the daladala driver is totally out of question. It is their duty. Why do you need to thank them?

Daladala

I use the daladala nearly every day. Still I found things that amaze me. Firstly, if they took just a little bit care of them they would last so much longer. On the other hand each driver seems to know how to repair a car. Preparing the car on the road is everyday sight. At home if the car breaks down, I call someone and walk home. Here you fix it on the road. Obviously it is more efficient.

Daladalas break down daily. When it happens passengers are escorted to another one. The drivers consult for the fair to be paid for exchanging passengers. You really have to be careful that you aren’t asked to pay twice. And for Mzungu they will try to do it anyway.

20.5.2008 I have been living with two great men now for two months. We are our own family. Being a woman has never cost any problems, but I don’t know what the neighbours are thinking. I really don’t care either.

The boys are very considerate. They never enter my room. I have never said that they couldn’t but they seem to avoid the place which is ok with me. I only sleep there anyway.

The times for showers and toilets are working well also. I seem to take more time in the shower but they always want me to go first. I don’t mind but of course it puts some pressure on some things. Let me just say that sometime it would be better to be the last when nobody was coming after you.

We share the costs for everyday things. If I let boys buy I have to settle with family soap which is black and smells quite – let’s just say – different. Toilet paper is then also the cheapest and blue which is the same as there weren’t any at all. If I want to get the soap and the toilet paper I want, I need to buy them myself and then spend some extra money of course. Boys laugh at me with this. They want me to explain why the soap has to have a good smell and why does the toilet paper need to be white. Well, they just do!

We play cards almost daily. There is only one game we all know at the moment but we seem to be ok with it. Playing cards is our thing which we do when we want to relax our heads and just enjoy. Of course the TV is always on the background which interrupts the guys a lot but I don’t care, I loose interest when it is always in Swahili.

Both boys have been around foreigners before therefore they seem to know about some cultural differences that exist. We still talk a lot about many things. The best discussions are of course about the woman’s status in Tanzania and in Europe. Kanda has been to Finland. He was brought up to respect women so he is quite ok. Although we’ve had many discussions where he finds himself still quite conservative, which makes us all laugh, of course.

Kanda is newly-married and spends lot of his time on the phone. Today we talked about the money. They have a shared account where both of their salaries go. They have an agreement that both can use it, although they have to tell each other what the money is for when withdrawing it. So today Sophia called and wanted to use 30 000 Tsh (approximately 20 euros) for something. Kanda said ok and held back the question for what. It took an hour for him to call back and ask what the money was for. I laughed at him. If you are sharing an account, you are supposed to trust each other with the use. He said of course, but women seem to have different kind of idea what to spend the money for. He continued that if I let her buy what she wants she might by something which is not smart, instead I should tell her what to buy for example buying something else which lasts for six months is better than buying something which lasts for a month. Then I asked that if he wanted to buy a beer would he call to his wife. Of course not, he said. It is different for men. Men know what to buy when talking about beer. They don’t make bad decision. I rest my case!

Ali, our houseboy, on the other hand is coming from a big family. His father lives close by and younger brother in town. The other family members live farther. Ali has a son who is ten years old. Son lives with his aunt but comes to our house every morning before going to school. Their relationship is interesting. Ali is very tough on him. The other day I found them on the kitchen table studying math. Ali was really on to him. The language he used and the loudness, whooh! Let me just say that Ali hasn’t finished his studies either. Anyway, I decided to stay out.

Ali’s family relays on him quite a lot. Possibly because they all know that he is working for Mzungu so he must be getting lot of money from them. Of course it isn’t true but considering their level of pay, maybe Ali is getting more money than others. Anyway, at least once a week, one of his family members comes to him asking for money. Sometimes it is for a trip to somewhere, sometimes it is for the medicine and sometimes it is for buying something necessary like food. The amount is never big. We are talking about less than 5 euros in each case. But here the five euros is a lot.

16.5.2008 I don’t think there is much to tell you about the game. Let’s just say that as a coach I have lot of work to do. We got our buds kicked quite badly. So there isn’t much to tell about the game itself. Instead everything else around the game was something.

We decided to walk to the university where the game was to be played. We made a short cut right by our house. What a world opened up behind the corner. I have already learned that you can never imagine what is behind each bush. Since there aren’t real roads anywhere there is always something surprising after each corner. And this time it didn’t let me down either. I had no idea what a goldmine we had hiding behind us. We walked through five villages. I saw people doing their everyday things. It still amazes me to see women, especially elderly, sitting on the ground wearing Kanga staring with empty classy eyes to nowhere. It is hard to say what they are thinking.

On the path to the University we passed kids carrying water, girls under ten carrying ten-litre buckets on their heads. We walked by young boys walking cattle towards water. Fishermen coming back with their daily catch. Women preparing fire for later dinner-cooking. It was like another world had opened up in front of us.

I already said that there weren’t much to tell about the game. Well, the rituals before and after were interesting though. Before the game we had a group prayer which is quite usual for our team. But after the game all people including both teams and the whole audience formed a circle. We held each others hands and had a half an hour session. It included a prayer but also some rituals and thanking of different parties. It was quite amazing. I was also introduced to everyone. The players are all over 18 years old still they were anxious to hear me tell my opinions about the game. I was asked to start coaching the regional team which is a collection from both two teams that played that night. I of course said that I could do it.

One other incident occurred during the game. The game was played outside, of course, like everything in this country. The baskets were attached to the ground with some aluminium poles. The boards were wooden with lot of holes. When ever ball touched the rim or the board the whole basket was shaking like it was going to come down. The ground was cement but had lots of potholes on it. I don’t think any Finnish player would have played on that field. Still these guys were playing like nothing. I was scared that something would happen, and of course it did. One of the players fell down after quite a tackle and hit his head on the ground. I was amazed what happened afterwards. I think he lost consciousness for a second. Others just lifted him up and took him to the side. Then everyone gathered around him to spread his legs and arms wide open. I don’t know the reason for it but I don’t think they did either. Fortunately the guy became conscience after short while. Then the game just continued.

It was a friendly game and I mean really friendly. When ever the ball was out, person responsible for it left the ball there. Not even the ones which were close calls had any arguments between players. Fouls on the other hand seemed to be unfamiliar concept to the players. The game was quite rough and since it was played outdoors I found some of the contacts quite dangerous. Players didn’t have any problems. Even when I could say they were badly beaten and should have deserved foul shots they just kept on playing like nothing. It was a real eye-opener to see how they concentrate on the game instead of other factors.

The game was over at seven when it was totally dark again. We decided to take daladala home. The whole team packed into already full daladala. I have to say that the little breezes of air which came every ones in a while were really welcome. Let’s just say that the smell was very natural in the bus.

15.5.2008 I have tried to get closer to the life of students to understand them better. Yesterday I went to dining hall to enjoy lunch with them. Enjoyment does not refer to the taste of food rather than the whole experience itself.

There are more boys at the college than girls. They have a strict sitting order in the dining hall. All women have been spread out to different tables. I was invited to one of them.

Students carry their own silverware with them, or should I say plastic plate and a cup. First everyone goes out to wash their hands. Then we sit and wait for those in charge to bring the food in front of us. First comes a huge bucket full of ugali, maize dish which resembles mashed potatoes without a taste. The bucket is set in the middle of table. Then one person from each table divides it between members of that table. Each person waits patiently. Then they bring a bucket full of beans. Person bringing the beans scoops one big spoonful on everyone’s plate on the top of ugali. Then we start.

Eating is done by hands, only right hand. First you take some of ugali and roll it in your hand to make a ball out of it. Then you “dip” it with beans and put it into your mouth. It doesn’t taste bad, it doesn’t really taste anything. Those who have money are adding salt on it, some have even fruits on the side. Most of us though are happy with just the ugali and beans.

After emptying your plate, which took quite a long time for me, you go wash your plate and hands. Those in charge will stay and clean the tables. After half an hour dining hall is empty again.

The experience was interesting. I had eaten ugali and beans before but not in the college. I have to say that it is ok for once a week but I could not eat it twice a day like they are doing here. I just couldn’t handle it. Good thing about it is that they get enough food. The quality and variety on the other hand could be argued. There aren’t any vegetables or milk products but still I think I am the only one missing them.

Our house is turning into couples counselling. I came home from college and found a woman at the porch. I was told that she was having a fight with her husband. An hour later husband arrived. I went inside the house to do some work while they stayed outside. Ali brought them two chairs. Every once in a while I looked outside to see if everything was ok. They just kept sitting there quiet. They didn’t say a word to each other. They just sat backs against each other. I tried to ask Ali what was going on. Man had lost his job and was just sitting home doing nothing. Woman didn’t like it and kept nagging at him. Can you imagine that! This must be a Tanzanian thing. Women don’t nag in Finland, do they!

This wasn’t the first time we have solved couple problems in the house. Kanda, my housemate is newly married but lives now far away from his wife. They call each other every day so I sometimes hear what they are talking about. Kanda says that he doesn’t understand why his wife has a problem with him going out with the guys to watch football and drink few beers. Imagine that. This must also be a Tanzanian thing. Finnish women are ok with guys’ night out, right!

I am coaching a local basketball team at nights. There is one couple and rest is men. The couple seems to fight all the time on the court. Hardest job for me is to make sure that they practise in opposite ends. The challenge will be the upcoming game. What am I supposed to do then? Well, I will just have to plan substitutions carefully.

Bicycle

We have bought a bike. It is quite convenient to have here. Although I have to admit that I keep collecting the looks when driving it. Firs of all women don’t drive bicycles here. Secondly they sure don’t carry anyone in the back. So when I drive and Kanda sits in the back we get lot of attention. Look Mzungu with the bike and then she is carrying an African.

African

We had an interesting talk with students. They asked me why white people hate the word Mzungu. I tried to explain that we also like to be identified. We like to be called by our names. Then I asked what a correct word to call the local population is. You know since in America it is not acceptable to call people black anymore, they are African-Americans. Well, they had never thought about it. We considered the best choices. The word African works but since there are also white people in Africa; it doesn’t work all the time. The conclusion was that Tanzanians like to be called Swahili people but exceptions apply when they aren’t black. So go figure!

Lettuce on the field

Through the project we are building a sports field by the secondary school nearby. They have finally finished the levelling for about 150 x 100 metres space. Only minor problem is the little green spot in the middle. There is a lettuce plantation right in the middle. I asked why they didn’t just level that one too since all the maize fields were cut down from the field. The respond was that the boy who owned it had cried so hard when the caterpillars had arrived. They had to leave that spot levelled. So now the future footballers have green defensive line-up waiting for them there.

Spanking in schools

I don’t know about you but I have never been spanked in my life, not by my parents nor by my teachers. If you asked my parents today, they might say that maybe they should have but anyway. I walk by the primary school every day on my way to college. It doesn’t matter what time it is but I always see students outside doing gardening or playing something. I don’t know if they ever attend classes. The teachers are rarely outside and if they are I see them with a stick. I have seen them use them as a threat quite often but unfortunately I see them using them for spanking also. No matter how old the teacher is, and some of them are in their twenties, they use them like professionals.

Today I witnessed again how twenty students were put on line to be spanked. Fingers out and whippee! Some got even spanked to the buttocks. I don’t know how long more I can stand aside. I have hard time looking at it. Maybe next time I get my own stick and go after the teacher who is in charge.

Maintaining grounds

Most maintenance at the college and each school in Tanzania are done by students. Imagine this in Finland. I don’t see any teenager mobbing a school floor or cutting the grass on the football field. Anyway, this is everyday thing here, and the tools are either poor or there aren’t any.

Yesterday was again time to weed the newly planted football field. All students (approximately 1000) were called to the field. They had their Sunday-best clothes on, it was a Sunday. All students were divided into groups to weed a certain part of the field. It took an hour and the job was done. Well, if you don’t mind the quality of work, I think they did quite well.

Lawnmower

The college actually has a lawnmower. I was stunned when I heard that. I was told that it is needed for the new football ground. I though it was great. It is quite a big ground you know. Well, I was laughing when I saw it. It is one of those small ones which are used in your own garden.

A couple of days ago I was in charge of teaching girls how to use it. We had to cut the grass at the netball ground. Netball ground is the same size as a basketball court. Anyway, I gave them instructions and showed them how to do it. I tried to draw them an image how to organise it so that each spot on the field would be covered. Well, it didn’t exactly go like I had planned.

The girls were thrilled to use the machine. They had never seen one. First of all they were surprised how it shakes. They were complaining that their hands get tired. Secondly they were so enthusiastic to use it that they just kept doing circles on the field. There was no order so some spots were covered ten times while others stayed untouched.

I kept laughing at the girls and they were so serious. I don’t think I have ever seen anyone so serious about their work, especially not cutting the grass.

The funniest thing was to see the grass all over them. The lawnmower isn’t new so some parts are missing, especially the part that collects the grass after cutting it. So now the grass flies all over the person running it. Of course, ladies were wearing their nice clothes and now they were all grassy. Still they didn’t seem to mind. They were having a blast and so was I.

Curtains

We have finally come to a solution about the curtains. You remember that I had to explain to the guys that it would be nice to have matching curtains with the sofa cushions and if possible same in the bedroom with the sheets. Well, boys didn’t really understand how the colour would affect their sleep but they agreed at the end to search for the matching colour.

Yesterday we finally managed to find a nice curtain shop. We decided to go with a yellowish colour since the windows are painted yellow. We found material we wanted and were happy with the price. When we were about to pay for them, Kanda spotted something which was even cheaper. Half an hour later we walked out the store with cheaper curtains which have some colours that will match some spots in our house. I gave up. Men, if it is cheaper, it must be nicer!

Cleaning the house

Sunday was the Mother’s Day and finally called my mother after five months. It was nice to hear her voice. She seems to miss me too. I felt sad afterwards so I did what every woman does when they feel down, I started cleaning the house.

Ali was up for it also. We started by washing the windows. It was quite hard since all the windows have bars on them and they are attached close to the window which makes it hard to clean the window. Inside took three hours but outside was faster. We went with Ali’s suggestion to just spray them with a hose. It turned out ok.

After the windows we cleaned the inside of the house. Ali usually cleans everything and I am quite satisfied with his work. Now cleaning with him I gave him some tips for doing a better job. Well, especially the toilet seemed to be cleaned in another way which I am used to. I introduced him with the secrets of toilet brush and Vim. Even the smell seemed to disappear with my instructions.

After six hours of hard work we had cleaned the whole house. We arranged furniture a little so that it would be more convenient for three of us. I had to help them to organise the boys’ bedroom also. Ali was laughing at me, now that there is a woman in the house, do we need to start putting close away from the floor also. Ok, ok, I admit, it is not my business how they live in their room, but yes, you need to organise your closet from now on!

Washing delicates

I mentioned long time ago how Ali is doing my laundry and everything is drying in the hallway where everyone walks all the time. So my underwear is hanging there just like all the guys underwear too. Well, that is something that I have gotten used to by now.

One mentionable thing though is the washing my bras. Ladies know that you are supposed to wash your delicates by hand, not put them into a washing machine. Well, the idea is that this way they would last longer and stay in shape. Well, it isn’t always like that. When Ali washes my clothes he does a really good job. He gets them clean which is the purpose I assume. After washing he squeezes them to get the water out to dry. So when I get my bras back I start by bending the wires back to shape. After doing this for times you know what happens. Well, I will just let you imagine the rest.

Mirror

Boys are really considerate. You know that there is only one mirror in the house, in the bathroom. It is old and dark so you don’t really see yourself in it. It is quite ok. I haven’t really seen myself in a mirror for a long time.

Well, I heard that they were going to change the mirror in the bathroom so I mentioned to the boys that would it be possible to move the old mirror into my room. They laughed and said that they know how women need to look to the mirror all the time. We left the mirror issue there. Friday I got back from work and guess what, there was a mirror in my room. Not the old and dark one, new and big one. Now I can see myself in the mirror in whole. What can I say, the guys are great!

Last porridge

When I left Finland I had a going-away party. My friends gave me a survival kit which included lot of necessary and unnecessary thing to survive a year away from home. It included toilet paper, deodorant, women’s sanitary products, Finnish porridge, Finnish gum and so on. I have to say it was a great package. Everything that was in has been necessary. After calling my mom I felt so homesick that I had to enjoy a bowl of Finnish porridge. Boy, did it feel great!  So thank you guys, I everything has been in use, and I mean everything!

Ambulance

I have been wondering what if something happens; you know some kind of emergency. I have seen one ambulance since I arrived but I have seen lot of accidents. I also know that there is 112, the international emergency number, but who answers and what happens if I call. I don’t have lot of fait in it.

Well last week I was sitting in the pack of a pick-up truck on my way to town. I got a ride from our carpenter. Not many people own cars here. Anyway, we were stopped by a police. First I thought that they are complaining about Mzungu sitting in the back of a truck, but soon realised that it is how you travel here. No difference if it is Mzungu or a local. Anyway, the reason for our stop was that there was an accident on the road. Car had hit a motorbike. There was lot of blood on the road and one police. The police came to ask the driver if he could take one boy to a hospital. So he was lifted beside me on back of the truck and we continued. He had blood all over his hand and I could see that it was broken. He didn’t speak any English so I tumbled with my Swahili. I realised that he was the one driving the motorbike and had hit a car. His pants were also bloody so I knew that he had some internal problems also. Well, I hate to admit but I didn’t know what to do but try to keep him awake.

The ride to hospital took about 20 minutes. We stopped at the entrance and left him there. None of us went inside with him. I felt bad but didn’t know what else to do. You are probably thinking that I should have done something. I know I should but what, that is the question.

11.5.2008 At first I need to apologise for the radio silence. I have to say that I have been quite busy lately. I thought I came here to enjoy and relax but instead I find myself working quite long days and thinking how to change the world. What is wrong with me? Why can’t I just enjoy the ride!

I have finished my research and I have finally settled in Butimba. Butimba is the only teachers training college in Tanzania which conducts Physical Education. I am teaching sports now in the college with three other teachers. There are approximately 1000 students in the college and 60 of them are majoring in sports.

At first I was very excited about the sports department. The facilities are quite good and there seem to be quite a lot of equipment in the college also. But soon I realised that I was working with three men who couldn’t care less about teaching and do everything to skip classes.

The system of education has changed again. Ministry decided that from now on students are at the college for only one year and then they go to schools to teach for the second year. After one year at the field they return to college to do the national exams and those who pass will graduate. Things couldn’t get any worse.

At the moment students are taking their exams. They have about 14 exams in two weeks time. After finishing them they will go home. Another load of students will come in July. How many, I don’t know.

Last three weeks I have really tried to help these students in areas which are unfamiliar to them. During the past year teachers have conducted less than 50 lessons in the classroom and 8 in the practise to teach them. This is less than a third of what the objective is. Do you think that these students are now ready to go on teaching? I don’t think so!

At first I tried to motivate other teachers to do some extra work with the students together with me. But after banging my head to the wall several times I gave up and continued alone. I have been teaching students every day now for two hours in the classroom in the mornings and two hours in the afternoons on the field teaching different sports.

Last week we had the practical exams for the students. The questions were hard and about subjects which hadn’t been taught to them. They received the questions day before. I was so amazed how all sixty students worked as a team to prepare for the assignments totally strange to them. Just to give an example, there were questions like introduce doubles play in table-tennis, or demonstrate javelin for 15 year old students. Imagine that you were given these kinds of questions and you had never even seen anyone do it before. At home you could always google it but here you can only rely on your friends who hopefully have seen it on TV or somewhere before.

Three days going through 60 practical sessions was a torture for me. I was feeling so sorry for the students. But I have to say that they did great. I don’t know how they did it but each and everyone covered the assignment quite well. Of course there were some mistakes in rules and facts but so what. I don’t think I could have done it any better. And I know for sure that these teachers who gave them the assignments don’t know how to do it themselves.

After everyone had presented their question we were supposed to give feedback. We teachers decided to meet in the morning at nine before going in front of students. I was at the office at nine but nobody else was there. Soon I received a message from one of the teachers saying that he is late a little bit but go ahead with the class. There were no other teachers so I decided to go with it. It was another proof of the lack of interest of these teachers. Poor students, they are the ones who are suffering because of these lazy bustards. I wasn’t ready to continue their suffering. I used three hours to give feedback and all students were quiet and interested all the way through. I am beginning to get hang of this.

So my main concentration is helping students to pass their exams in coming two weeks. I help them in finding information from internet and from two books that exist at the college. We work from early in the morning until 3 pm lunch time. At four I teach local kids in basketball for two hours and at eight at night I return to college to help students in discussion groups. I return home at ten to eat and sleep only to wake up the next day to repeat it all again.

It might sound like a hard work but I love it. I wake up every morning with full of energy. The students are eager to learn and I am eager to teach them. I only wish that we had more time. But the time is not on our side. After two weeks these students have finished their exams, their education at the college, and they will go home, acting like qualified teachers. This country is in deep trouble.

On Monday 26th of May it is all over. Students have left and the school year will be finished. I will have a month long holiday before the next bunch of students will arrive in July. Although I have heard that the starting of a school year is not very organised. Some students will arrive at the beginning of July and some as late as beginning of September. It is understandable since the challenge of reaching everyone is quite impossible. Newspaper is the main source of information and not many people read them. So it might take two months to get the information to all excepted students.

I am looking forward to starting my holiday. My friend from Finland is coming over and we are planning on doing some travelling. I can’t wait to get back on the road again. Maybe I can forget about world saving for a little while at least...

By the time the Lord made mothers, he was into his Sixth day of working overtime.

An Angel appeared and said,
-"Why are you spending so much time on this one?"

And the Lord answered and said,
-"Have you seen the spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic, have 200 movable parts, all replaceable, run on black coffee and leftovers, have a lap that can hold three children at one time and that disappear when she stands up, have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart, and have six pairs of hands."

The Angel was astounded at the requirements for this one.
-"Six pairs of hands! No Way!" said the Angel.

The Lord replied,
-"Oh, it's not the hands that are the problem. It's the three pairs of eyes that mothers must have!"

-"And that's just on the standard model?" The Angel asked.

The Lord nodded in agreement.
-"Yep, one pair of eyes is to see through the closed door as she asks her children what they are doing even though she already knows. Another pair in the back of her head is to see what she needs to know even though no one thinks she can. And the third pair is here in the front of her head. They are for looking at an errant child and saying that she understands and loves him or her without even saying a single word."

The Angel tried to stop the Lord.
-"This is too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish."

-"But I can't!" The Lord protested,
-"I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick AND can feed a family of six on a pound of hamburger and can get a nine year old to stand in the shower."

The Angel moved closer and touched the woman,
-"But you have made her so soft, Lord."
-"She is soft," Lord agreed,
-"but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish."
-"Will she be able to think?", asked the Angel.
The Lord replied,
-"Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason, and negotiate."

The Angel then noticed something and reached out and touched the woman's cheek.
-"Oops, it looks like you have a leak with this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one."
-"That's not a leak." The Lord objected.
-"That's a tear!"
-"What's the tear for?" the Angel asked.
The Lord said,
-"The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her pain, her disappointment, her loneliness, her grief, and her pride."

The Angel was impressed.
-"You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything, for WOMEN are truly amazing."

Women have strengths that amaze men.

They carry children, they carry hardships, they carry burdens but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up for injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without new shoes so their children can have them.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about a birth or a new marriage.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They have sorrow at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all sizes, in all colours and shapes.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world spin!
Women do more than just give birth. They bring joy and hope.
They give compassion and ideals.
They give moral support to their family and friends.
Women have a lot to say and a lot to give.

Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers but especially to the best mother of all – my mom!

I love you!