November 1st 2010

Nunku

Well, I went to Nunku on Friday for the Women’s Forum training. There were around 70 women and we made a start by learning the letter sounds. We did various phonic activities and some games where they had to say objects or names that start with certain sounds. We also did some spoken English learning; things like saying to a partner ‘my name is… and I like eating…’ and then learning how to repeat to the class ‘her name is… and she likes eating…’ etc. It all took just under 3 hours. I think they were getting something out of it. It bought them all exercise books and pens to start writing vocabulary in, but I think that might be quite challenging for them, particularly seeing as there were no desks, which made writing inconvenient. I think that next week I’ll try some handwriting sheets. We’ll see – watch this space!

Schools

I continued with the training at the Provost’s school, Jekre-Ama last week and wrapped up the current training on phonics. What I’d to see now is the teachers actually putting it into place in the classrooms. This will take some more confidence and practise and monitoring from me though. All sorts of organisations run huge teacher training workshops with teachers, but working with this small group and knowing how much work it will take for them to implement things well in school, I can see that close monitoring and support is required; something I’m not the big workshops will actually follow-up the training with. It’s not that the teachers don’t have the capacity or the good intentions, it’s just that these ideas, techniques and way of thinking that we are so used to in the UK educational system are so new to them. Anyone who has left Primary school in the UK has been exposed to so many varied learning methods, training in problem solving, developed lateral thinking skills and resources. We know that children learn in different ways. We know what an exciting classroom looks like. You don’t have to be a trained teacher to know this stuff. Anyway, I’m sure they’ll pick up, because their enthusiasm will drive them along. It’s just hard on my part trying to adapt my presentations to make sure I’m being understood.

Kaduna

This weekend I went to Kaduna – hurrah! Kaduna’s a great place, primarily because you can get all sorts of food, including cheeseburgers and hummus! I meant to leave on Saturday morning, but when I went to the bank to withdraw some money for the visit, the ATMs weren’t working and the bank was shut. So I popped in to see my friend Maryam and her 3 kids. She works in the day-care class at Jekre-Ama and we’ve become pretty friendly. She’s really keen to get her children well-educated, and they were at home doing their homework. They’re 7, 5, and 2. Well, I finally got my money, got on the road, and got into Kaduna by about 6:30pm. It took ages, because I got a lift by a colleague from the college part of the way, and then the public car that I got kept stopping to pick up passengers. Kaduna was quite smoggy, because the hamartan season is just starting. I was met by Jenny and Simon, a couple of VSOs from the UK who have been here for a few months. They came to visit me when they first arrived as part of their in-country training. They met me and we went straight to a restaurant where we had burgers and beers. We were also joined by Edele, who is Irish and working at an International school in Kaduna. On Sunday, we went and sat in Gamje park and ate Schwarmas. We also played Lord of the Rings Top Trumps and cards, all of which I won (I like to think of myself as one of life’s natural winners, as not much skill was involved). We’d just dealt the Top Trump cards, and were approached by a young guy who had been sitting at a neighbouring table. He asked if he could have his picture taken with us, so he pulled up a chair and asked to hold some of our cards so that it would look as though he was joining in. I guess it’s just another bizarre but harmless phenomenon of being white here. Later, back at the house, we were joined by Heather and Richard, another couple from the UK. Richard is about to head back to the UK. We had dinner and went out for a beer. On Monday, I set off for the long journey home. I guess it takes about 5 hours, and by the time I got home I was famished, so ate the flat bread, hummus, cheese and olives that I treated myself to in Kaduna. K-town was great, and it was great to hang out with other volunteers and have a good old laugh. We even downloaded Anne Widdecombe dancing on Strictly Come Dancing from You Tube, which was another highlight!

Pumpkin Head I carved for Jenny and Simon (see how his ears are made out of his eyes)!

Right, well I’m off to write a few emails and check what I need to prepare for the rest of my week. There’s a gender workshop in Abuja for volunteers next week. I’ve been to one before, but I’m not convinced what difference they expect us to make in this area. This society has its own way of viewing the relationship between men and women and the model that we’ve had in UK culture won’t necessarily translate here. Sure, we can do things to support women’s education and encourage people to challenge stereotypes of both the sexes, but long-term change will really come from within the culture. Gender inequality comes from both sides, but in regards to feminism, that has to be led by the women themselves. Who knows when that will happen: so many men say that Africa man is a certain way and won’t change. But there are many who want equal relationships and an educated wife, and many women who want and have that too. It’s not as simple as the society being full of women with no rights: many educated self-sustained girls are so used to relying on men for money, favours and status that they don’t know how much damage they do to those who want equality and respect. Anyway, I’ll get back to reading The Female Eunuch and will get back to you once I’ve disrupted the debate next week on the role of international NGOs in how a society runs…

Tashi with Bec's card for Beter Leven

October 2010

Back to Nigeria

Hey!

Well, I spent the month of September in the UK, which was terrific. I’m so glad I managed to catch up with so many people and had a wonderful time seeing my nieces and nephews, including newly born Laurence, who is doing well. It was nice to chill out with mum and dad, see family and friends and stock up on a few bits and bobs. I felt so refreshed when I came back to Nigeria, and everyone commented on how well I was looking.

Jekre-Ama

Once I got back, it wasn’t long before the College went on strike. It’s over salaries, but it hasn’t meant that I’ve been idle. Quite the opposite actually. One of the first things that I did was to visit Mrs Monde’s (the Provost) new nursery and primary school, called Jekre-Ama. I’d already designed the logo and uniform, and when I got back the children were there and lessons had started. I met with the headteacher and teachers and a nice lady called Maryam, who is helping at the school. She’s very enthusiastic about getting the place going and learning all about education to help her 3 small children. So I’ve devised a training programme on phonics, play learning, structuring the day and observation techniques, and have gotten underway with that. It’s been interesting teaching the teachers about phonics. We’ve been practising the sounds and a small programme that I’d like them to implement in the classes, and this week I’ll be going to observe them to see how they’re getting along. Lots of the activities are led by the teacher, who stands at the front while the pupils sit at desks watching. I’ve been speaking with Mrs Monde about what we can do to improve the school and she’s very keen to get my input. All in all, it’s a nice little project, and something that I could also take to other schools that need some help to develop their teachers.

CRD work

Some of my attention is, of course, still directed at CRD. I devised a plan for them to work on different research projects within the College, but unfortunately they’re now on strike, so it’s on hold. Areas that I think would be worthwhile pursuing are staff forums where staff can air ideas and problems. A key topic that I think would be useful to discuss could be the initiation of new lecturers into College procedures. As it is, HODs hold staff meetings with all staff to discuss expectations of staff. As a new lecturer, it has not always been clear when these meetings are, where to get my lecture notes from, how to liaise with other staff, the procedures for giving out lecture handouts to students, how to conduct ongoing assessments etc. There could be a manual for new staff on expectations, campus etiquette, code of conduct and professional ethics, academic calendar, exam procedures, and monitoring procedures.

There are also other aspects, such as regular staff meetings and skills sharing amongst staff that could be addressed. I’d also like CRD to be involved in training students on the use of teaching aids and to carry out research into reading habits of students here in the College. We made a plan, but as I said, we’re on hold for now.

Nunku

Some time ago, CRD and I travelled to a predominantly Muslim village about 20km from Akwanga called Nunku, to run a forum to inform the people there on the importance of sending children to school and to discuss what some of the issues are when it comes to school. It was discovered that people can’t always afford books for the children, and that sometimes, if they have to choose certain children to go to school because they can’t afford to send them all, then they’ll just send the boys. Lots of issues were raised, including the need for the women of the village to be more involved in education and ensuring that their young girls are safe and literate. Since then, we carried our teacher training project with 50 teachers in Nunku, and I’ve been back and been in contact with a representative from the village about their women’s forum. Apparently, after the meeting, the women were inspired to revitalise their dwindling women’s forum and form it into a formal organisation. They’re keen to get assistance with skills training and English language learning, which is where I can come in. At the moment, I don’t have any official funding for this, but am optimistic I’ll be able to get some in the future. I went there last Wednesday expecting to meet their women’s leader to discuss workshop times and format, but was met by over 70 of their members and several village elders, who had come together to greet me and have a formal meeting. It was quite amazing. They’ve registered their body and even have letter headed paper, subscriptions and a register of members. I’ve arranged to go back next Friday to start adult literacy classes. In addition, I was overwhelmed when they presented me with some traditional gifts to say thank you for taking the time to help them and for inspiring them to form their group. They gave me a grain sieve, a carved wooden stool, beautifully carved wooden spoons, an axe, and a wooden plate that you place on your head to carry the firewood that you’ve chopped up with your axe! It was so beautiful and kind. I look forward to working with them. Abdul from there is their liaison with me, because very few of their members speak English. At the moment I’m thinking about a TEFL type programme to help them. They’d also like some teaching in the aspect of reproductive health, so that’s something new for me to get my head around!

New volunteers

This morning I’ve been finishing off my report on the teacher training we did before. Over the weekend, I’ve had 2 new volunteers come to visit. When VSO get a new batch of volunteers arrive in the country, they give them training in Abuja, and part of their training is to go and spend a few days with a volunteer to see how they live and work. So I had Caroline and Lea, a lovely couple from Liverpool. They are both teachers, so we talked a lot about that over the few days. I also helped them with their first time on the back of a motorbike, eating Nigerian food, and generally getting acquainted with life here. They’ve now gone back to Abuja, and I’ve just heard that they got back safely as per my detailed instructions on how to get there on public transport. Phew!

Wedding

Some time ago, I met a teacher from near here, who was visiting the College. We kept in touch every so often, and he was very keen for me to attend his wedding. Well, finally the day came last Friday, so I set off to Keffi, which is a largish town on the way from Akwanga to Abuja. He was so chuffed that I came. It was a Muslim wedding, which is the first one I’ve been to funnily enough, seeing as 2 close Muslim friends of mine here have gotten married during the past year and a half. I was allowed to ride with him and his friends to the male only aspect of the ceremony, called the Fatiha. This is where the groom and his father and the father of the bride go before the Chief Imam. The dowering, or bride price, is announced by the bride’s parents to all the witnesses, and then the groom’s parent requests for the bride 3 times and accepted by the bride’s father 3 times. Responsibility for the bride’s shelter, feeding and health is promised by the groom and then everyone prays. I didn’t see this actual part, but I was waiting outside with lots of men. It didn’t take long, and then we went back to his home for food and drinks. The women had been preparing all morning, and lots of guests came to join in and then leave. I didn’t see the bride. Part of the custom is that the bride stays at home throughout the day with her family, until the evening, when she meets with her husband and joins him in their new home. This is because she may cry due to the fact that she’s leaving her parents, and for her to cry in public would be shameful. As I wanted to leave before it got dark I didn’t see her. It was very interesting, and I learnt a lot from the nice people that I met.

This week

So, this week, I’ll be visiting and training again in Jekre-Ama, doing some training in Nunku, and visiting a local private primary school. There’s a teacher there, who was introduced to me by Maryam, who is interested in developing some phonics materials. Hopefully I’ll be able to help as I’m feeling quite creative these days, and it will also be good to get some experience of what they are teaching there. I need to plan something for next weekend, however. Maybe a trip to Kaduna. Since I’ve been back, I’ve managed to catch up with Eriye in Abuja, who is waiting for David to come back from his break in Canada, and have had a beer with Thessa, who got married last month and now lives in Abuja with her husband. On the creative side, I’ve finished the first draft of the genesis story for my Nigerian comic book. What I need to do now is get a Nigerian friend to help me make the dialogue more Nigerian and then give it to my artist friend to start drawing the pictures. I’d love to see it take off, so watch this space! Moha and I are also hatching a plan to make educational videos, but we’re still putting ideas together for that one. In addition, I’ve also been enjoying cooking more and more. I’ve been making a fair few curries and this weekend made a great banana cake. I’ll make a home-maker out of me yet! One of my neighbours has turkeys roaming around, and I have my eye on one for Christmas. At least them they’ll be some peace and quiet – they gobble gobble gobble all night long!

Right, well, think I’ll take a nap now. I think I got a bit of a chill in the night last night. As the rainy is coming to a close, the rain was really heavy throughout the night, and there was quite a strong wind that came with it. Will keep you posted. Catch you soon!