I wrote this a few days ago before I spent the weekend in what
we call the motherland (Nyanza). I’m feeling stellar- relaxed, happy to return
to site, ready for two years… Also, I maybe just drank a milkshake. Somehow. I’m
climbing out of the rut I’ve been stuck in for the last two months.
Today was noteworthy. I spent a day by myself in Musanze
which was so good for my little heart. I saw some frightening things, like a
baby riding on the front of a motorcycle and my favorite restaurant spraying
insecticide or air freshener on their buffet. I received some incredible
packages and returned home to fun and games with Christine. She told me this is
the happiest she’s seen me in a while… I think I’m starting to come out of my
funk! Christine reminded me, “don’t ever be sad! Rwandese love you, especially
Bella (5 months old).”
The other morning was noteworthy too. I arrived at school after
a particularly sunny walk and met with Christine for some lesson prep. A male
colleague of mine surprised me with a new morning greeting. It sounded
something like “mwaria” and it meant how did you sleep? This is a loaded
question for a single guy to ask a single girl. I said I slept great and he
said, “really? Alone?” Christine reminded our colleague that I was not alone, I
was with God. Next, my colleague Tharcille told me, “Amanda, you are very smart
in the hair today.” She liked my braids. I ran off to teach some Price
Elasticity of Demand and when I asked the school secretary if she had an “elastique” I
could borrow, she ran all the way to town to buy the prop for my class. It was
surprising and so kind; I owe her a huge favor.
The BEST part of my day was in my S5 English class. I do a
“do first” exercise everyday after Tressa shared the idea with me. It’s the
first thing students do when I walk into class. Today’s writing topic was,
“What is your most prized possession?” which was a surprisingly popular topic.
Innocent gave an answer that had the whole class laughing, especially the
teacher. For some background, Innocent is a tall, skinny, sweet and goofy kid
with big ears and a big smile. The first day of class, he asked me what type of
guys I prefer and what I would do in Rwanda if I didn’t have a fiancée. I fear
I blushed when I was forced to admit that well, I like tall, skinny guys. Anyway,
today Innocent told the class, “my most prized possession is my underwear I am
wearing… because they have a picture of my favorite superstar on them.” His
favorite superstar is R. Kelly. Do you think R. Kelly has any idea he’s on African
underwear?
This class also featured funny comments like “my most prized
possession is my chunkland” and “Did you here the news? Yes, I saw many casualties while I was
washing dishes.” It was one of my best lessons, by the way. We played the game
“telephone” which is not only popular but hands-down the most effective way of
engaging every student in listening and speaking exercises. I do it by row so
it goes fast. For another activity, I wrote 8 sentences on the board that used
vocabulary from the first term. The students then had to write and perform
skits in pairs using at least 3 of the somewhat random sentences. For a class
of 51 students, this activity was fun, went smoothly and got everyone talking.
In teacher training, we listened to “When I’m 64” and filled
in the blanks with the song lyrics. That song is so lovable. The teachers
complained a little though. For some, our listening activities were too
difficult and for the colleague who earlier asked me how I slept, he was
anxious for us to cover the topics “friendships… and choosing a mate.” I’m not
sure how to approach the latter but trial and error is how we role in the Peace
Corps. We’ve been doing lots of tongue twisters in teacher training. One of my
students is named NIMUSABIMANIZATWUMVA Julien.
Say THAT five times fast.
PS. YAY FOR INCREASED READJUSTMENT ALLOWANCE!
Amanda Penina 
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