I have had the opportunity to capture a few moments that stopped me in my tracks and made me think. Over the next while I will try to share those moments and thoughts with you. A student poised to write. I have always loved getting lost in a book! From an early age I was read to, read, and thought I was an amazing author. My creativity was nourished by the number of stories I had access to, by the way my parents and teachers encouraged storytelling, and by my innate desire to move people with words. Since my arrival in Burkina, I have learnt that I was an incredibly lucky child. At home my parents made time for me, for developing my creative and critical thinking skills. It feels like there is little time for that here. It takes hours to hand wash clothes, cook for 8 twice a day, go to work, fulfill social obligations (visiting and being visited), and the list goes on. Children seem to take a backseat. There is so much love in my host familys house, dont get me wrong! But, my host siblings spend more time in front of the tv than playing/creating outside or learning by their parents sides. At school, I brought in a book Full Moon Birthday. The students were enraptured by the photos, even if they didnt understand the story right away. We spent the entire 2 hour class taking turns reading and translating the text. I did not, however, read the end of the story. I asked them to write the ending that they wanted for homework. Well! I didnt expect publishable conclusions, but I thought wed at least finish in a story-telling format. Instead, every child wrote: no, the monkey and the dinosaur could not reach the moon. And that was all. These students are so accustomed to learning by rote (so boring!) that anytime I try to introduce a different learning method, I am met with confused faces and poor work. This photo reminds me that every child is poised to write. If given the right encouragement, the right resource, or maybe just the right freedom they may create something that surprises them. That gives them pride.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 10:29:13 +0000