Drinking Tea in the African Heat

It is unacceptable to miss tea.  I learned this the hard way last week at school.  On Thursday, the second day of school…well, unofficial school. Let me explain. 

Last week school was supposed to start on Monday; however, as I shared in an earlier post, the president declared it a holiday late Sunday evening.  Last Tuesday was also a day of no school because of a Muslim holiday.  So, children started coming to school on Wednesday.  That being said, actual classes and instruction did not begin until today.  Last week, or the remaining days following holidays, is the equivalent of the professional development in which teachers in the States partake for the week(s) prior to the first day of school.  Here in Tanzania, though, children come to school while this planning and preparation takes place.

It may sound like a tricky situation, planning while monitoring children.  It would only be tricky if you are using your American reference point.  While teachers are gathered together planning in the office, think teachers’ lounge/work room, students simply sit in classes.  Given the lack of adult supervision, students are exceedingly well behaved.  Every once in a while, noise exceeding the acceptable noise level erupts from a room and a teacher stops in to check out the ruckus.  Besides that, young Tanzanian children have enough self-awareness to keep their voices down and avoid killing each other in a classroom without any supervision or supplies for hours upon end. 

As a product of American schooling and as an American educator for almost five years now, when did that happen?, I bet you can imagine the thoughts running through my head while observing this and learning this was entirely acceptable.  Especially because no one explained to me: “Oh, this week is a little less structured; this is not how every day is and actual classes start on Monday”.  So I jumped to the conclusion that last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday was simply how school in Tanzania looked and operated --- a reminder of what assuming does.  Thankfully, today's first day of actual school mostly proved that as inaccurate, but that is a story for another day. 

I am in awe of the hard work and dedication of my new students!

Last week, most of the planning was individualized, and any team planning was done in Swahili of course.  So there I was like a fish out of water, although my Swahili is coming along, with nothing to do.  So, partially after receiving permission and partially on my own accord, I began popping into classrooms and teaching impromptu grammar lesson.  I really enjoyed it and could go on and on, and will in the coming months, about how respectful, cheerful and resilient these children are.  However, once I entered a classroom, it was hard for me to leave because of the fact that it has been so engrained in me to NEVER leave children unattended.  Can you say                    l-a-w-s-u-i-t, in America, that is? So last Thursday, I spent ALL morning, from 8:00 – 10:00 at which time all children have a 20 minute break outside, teaching P4, the equivalent of 4^th grade.

Once the bell rang, and by that I mean a child literally rings a hand held bell to indicate the end of each class, I lined the children up and took them outside, another American approach that is not practiced here – the kids looked at me like I was crazy but respectfully complied with my directions and we marched outside as everyone else went running and screaming past.  I played with several of the girls, jumping rope and playing Tanzanian patty cake, until right before the end of the break.  I had learned the day before that the morning break ended at 10:20.  I wanted to stop in the teachers’ room to get a drink of water before continuing my impromptu teaching with P4 until lunch.  I walked into the office and as soon as Mama Shayho, the headmistress saw me, she asked me in a very stern voice and an equally stern face, “Ah! Jessica, why did you not take tea?!”.

Now, let me be clear on a few things.  Number one: I do not like tea.  Never have.  Number two: it is scorching hot outside.  Why in the world would I want tea?  Number three: If I had come for tea, who would have been with the children?  All of those things considered, it was very apparent to me in that moment that that would be the last time I missed tea.  New cultures require you to stretch yourself and occasionally battle between honoring your most natural desire and inclination or the culturally sensitive and expected action.  Like being called Jessica, for example.  All who know me know I despise being called Jessica.  Here, however, it is much easier for people to pronounce Jessica than Jess or Jessie, so here I will be Jessica.  Don’t get any ideas at home, people.  And tea.  I will be taking tea, as it is said here, every day.  Nevermind the temperature.  Nevermind the high speed pace that I am accustomed to in New York City charter schools.  I just hope my teeth won’t get too stained. ;)