Teaching Through the Holidays

The campus was pretty quiet during the period between December 20 and 31, and would be even quieter afterward. Following the closing of the school for the upper classmen, school continued for the Pre-Form One students. These are the incoming “Freshmen” who came to Idigima Secondary School after we returned from the States in September. Our assignment was to teach them some English before they enter Form One studies on January 13, 2014.

Our daily schedule of instruction and drills ran from 7:30 to noon or 1:00, with assignments for the afternoon. Edgar, the Mathematics teacher, was gracious to take the early hour class time. God bless him!

We took a break for Christmas, and those students unable to go home because of distance and expense were invited to the house for a day of fun and games. We were surprised in the middle of the afternoon when they chose to return to their ghettos to study rather than stay for the planned movie.

On December 31, the students took their final examinations in Mathematics and English. The English exam consisted of reading and oral questions as well as a written portion. The exams began at 8:00 and were completed by 12:45.

Mr. Mgale, the Second Master, conducted the closing exercises, giving the students letters of instruction for entering Form One. In addition to tuition and fees, they will be expected to bring a ream of paper (used during the year for tests and examinations) and a tool used for the benefit of the school: a grass thresher, a hoe, or perhaps a squeegee mop for cleaning the classrooms.

Now, with the students gone, along with many of the teachers, the campus is like a sleeping giant made of orange brick. We gathered what teachers and staff we could find for a New Year’s Day luncheon and games. We offered to make rice, greens and a banana cake, suggesting that others bring beans, avocadoes, mangoes, drinks or whatever they had available. Something got lost in translation, because nothing else was brought for the feast. It didn’t matter; everyone got enough to eat and had a good time.

It is time now to enter into intense prayer and preparation for the coming school year. Students will come with physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Join us in answering those needs.

In God’s grace and service,

Gary and Joanne Grenell