Life in Liberia: My birthday at school

Better late than never has become my blog mantra:)  I am pleased to share some pictures from my recent birthday, spent with my favorite people: teachers and learners.

I decided to take my birthday off from work and spend it at the private school of a family friend.  The school runs from kindergarten through 12th grade.  

The founder/principal and my birthday twin.

When I arrived the teachers were just returning to the classroom from lunch.   The first classroom I went into was a 5th grade class and didn't have a teacher.  It was quite concerning that the students were not well-accompanied by their teacher.   I just promised to return once the teacher returned.

 

Kindergarden classroom:  Nosey neighbor:)

When returned this is what I saw:

Snoozing on the job

If this is what happens to teachers after lunch, the students of this school are at a serious disadvantage.  Curious to see how long she would stay like this I started reading with a few students.   They struggled through the passages and couldn't really explain to me what they read.  My heart sank. Once I got to the third student the teacher was still knocked out in the back of the room.  The principal walked in and woke up the teacher.   I was speechless. Once we got out of the classroom I asked about it.  I don't recall the response as much as the fact that the principal was nonplussed.

Situations like this really make me reflect on the state of education here.  I will likely only have one more year here and there is still much to be done.  I am nearly convinced that the problem is not so much resources as it is stewardship.

Whether you have a library or one book, the question becomes "What are you doing with your book?"

I can't begin to imagine what is going on in the life of this teacher.  While I seek to understand I also believe there should be a standard that should be upheld.  It can be a difficult balance to strike in a city where lawlessness is rampant and thieves often take advantage of the loud rains of the season.  Many of my colleagues, among the middle class that can afford more security measures, sometimes lose sleeps over security concerns.  How much more these teachers?

Again, while I seek to understand I also believe there should be a standard that should be upheld.  I won't solve the stewardship issues in a blog post but sometimes getting closer to the solution involves making the right diagnoses along the way. . .

5th grader

The Treasures of Cote D'Ivoire

Panoramic view of the capital, Abidjan, from L'Cathedral d'Abidjan.

I just got back from the Ivory Coast.  It's also approaching a year since the last time I shared bits from my West African life.  So, here I am, eager to tell you about my trip!

How did I find myself in Abidjan and Grand Bassam, Cote D'Ivoire?

About a month ago, a friend asked I was interested in going there for a long weekend.  I said "YES!"  It's been something I've been wanting to do before I left West Africa.

Overlooking the city of Abidjan

It was worth it!

There are many things I deeply appreciated about Cote D'Ivoire:  resurrecting my French, abundant local transportation, Ivorian hospitality, salsa-dancing in Abidjan, canoing on the lagoon, melt-in-your-mouth croissants, "poisson braise e alloco" (fresh grilled fish and plantains) daily.

This was only the beginning of the treasures we experienced.

Market women in anticipation

Perfectly lit photo inside the cathedral:  Me, travel buddy and Ivorian friend

On of many beautiful stained glass pictures in the Cathedral. 

Breakfast table and lovely garden at Abidjan B&B

We spent two days in Abidjan and three days in Grand Bassam.  

Grand Bassam was the location of the recent attack. We didn't stay at the same hotel, if that's any consolation.  If someone hadn't told me I wouldn't have know there was an attack recently.  The village was large but peaceful.  Our lodging was perfectly situated between a lagoon and a beach. 

My "giraffe" room at the lagoon

Strolling through the neigborhood "Modeste"

Fresh fish

Canoeing on the lagoon

"Delicious: Natural Honey"

However, the thing(s) I loved the most were the local arts and products.  I enjoyed them so much.

The longer I am in West Africa the more I am struck and saddened by how much the local popular cultures do not attribute as much value to local artists and products as they merit.  These countries have gifts from God that are in stunning abundance and are often underutilized.  In Cote D'Ivoire I was pleased as punch to find many great items.

Below are several products which I also consider treasures of the Ivory Coast:

Peanuts, candied peanuts and dried (hot) ginger

Locally produced Ivorian figurines

Awoulaba woman in front of figures-in-progress

"Awoulaba" woman: Ivorian art accentuating curvy women

Local chocolate

Locally made clay necklace

Batik (cloth-dye painting)