This week's workshops with our primary teachers introduced the 'Libraries in Boxes' and the books that were so generously donated by Canadians in Quebec, Nova Scotia and Washington DC. The teachers loved the books and they really enjoyed exploring the contents of the boxes.
There is no strong tradition here of reading aloud to children. So the first order of business was to emphasize the importance of this activity. Then we demonstrated to them one way in which this could be done in order for it to have the greatest educational impact.
For Canadian teachers it is inconceivable that elementary students would be left alone in a classroom for long periods of time, however, this is the norm here and we must work around it. The teachers were asked to think of ways that the pupils could use the books even if their teacher was not present in the classroom. One thing that we have learned so far, is that the project will move forward if it makes the teachers' jobs easier and more enjoyable.
Congratulations, Debra and Peter, on the wonderful work that you and all the volunteers are doing! It is a-mazing and you look so happy! Hope you get to read "Baking Cakes in Kigali" by Gaile Parkin because after your visit to Rwanda, you will enjoy it even more! The heroine is from Tanzania but living in Rwanda. Keep on, keeping on!
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