First week in Burundi

Our journey to Burundi began on July 6^th, 2012 at 10:30 pm and we arrived in Burundi on July 09^th at 1:00p.m. We were anxious about the trip given the length (2 overnight flights), amount of luggage (24 pieces), and what would happen when we arrived. However, we had many praying for a safe journey and that is exactly what we had.

When we arrived at the airport in Bujumbura, we experienced the warm African greetings that many friends have told us about. We were so tired from our long journey and we still had to clear customs, and collect all our luggage. Two of the board members  met us with open arms as soon as we deplaned. They helped us through security and also to collect all our luggage. Now you may be thinking why 24 pieces of luggage and that is a good question. We tried to take maximum school supplies, and we also transported a lot of school curriculum from Canada which will be used in the fall at the Burundi English School.

A Beautiful bouquet of Roses that was left for us at the house we are staying at

When we arrived at the house we were staying at we were invited to a wedding celebration of the couple that lives upstairs from us. This is one of the many celebrations that occur after the wedding and its purpose is for the groom’s family to welcome the bride into the family. The welcoming occurs primarily as singing and the singing was amazing. Erin was invited by one of the ladies to join the dancing.

Monday July 09^{th was} the first day of the Burundi English School’s summer program. This program is open to any children in Bujumbura and its purpose is to increase the children’s competency in English. The program has both Canadian and Burundian teachers and it runs for 5 weeks from 9:00 a.m. until noon. The children must pay to attend the summer school. Some children will attend the school for the entire 5 weeks and others will just come for part of it. The ages of the children that attend the school vary from 4 years to 17 years of age. We have divided the summer school into 3 classes; beginner, intermediate and advanced. The beginner class in taught by Lidia a Burundian teacher and Hanna our 14 year old, I (Carol) teach the intermediate class along with our other 3 children, Erin (10), Jordan (7) and Megan (7). I also have a Burundian teacher that assists me and this week it was Space. Greg teaches the advanced class and he was assisted by Claudia, a Burundian teacher. Perhaps the biggest challenge we have encountered is the wide range of both age and competency in English. Since we did not really know what to expect we did not know what materials would be applicable for teaching. The board members of the Burundi English School really want to focus on grammar and speaking so that is what we are trying to do.

Now I have talked about the impressive African greetings and the children embrace this as much as the adults. When they enter class they say good morning and shake your hand. It doesn’t matter if they are 4 or 17, they take the time to greet you and shake your hand and they also greet our children as well. I am very pleased with how Hanna and Erin are taking on a teacher’s assistant role and helping with the class.

Hanna and some of her students for the beginner class

 

The twins desperately want to teach as well, so I always try to get them to give an example to the class, when we are trying to teach them something. The Burundian children love playing with Jordan and Megan and they in turn love playing with them.

We have completed our first week at the Burundi English School’s summer program and although it has been a bit of a challenge, we are happy to be able to help all be it in a very small way. The children are very endearing and provide us much motivation.