School Musings

Only vague details about students for privacy reasons, and just one picture of my beach boy.

t's been an inspiring week.  Wednesday I had the opportunity to visit a school for the most impoverished kids. It's hot, crowded,  definitely not Montessori, but the teachers seem kind and the kids receive food and medical care, which is obviously hugely important.  They're mostly learning French,  mostly repetition,  and not much comprehension. The little ones were coloring fruit,  all exactly the same,  but didn't really know what the fruits were.  We're trying to figure out how to offer some materials and training to them. It really highlights the depth of the need here. 

Our kids continue to show progress.  We have had parent teacher conferences and the parents are overwhelmingly pleased and grateful.  One mother was moved to tears as her past experience with her son in the traditional French system was traumatic. I'm grateful for the opportunity to help provide a better alternative,  and wish it could be available for more kids.  

Malagasy reading is the most exciting development for me,  because reading in French is emphasized here,  and so many people can't read at all.  Children learn best in their native language,  and all but the very youngest are now sounding out words. The joy and confidence is beautiful to see.  

For my own kids,  C is continuing to manage his own learning independently.  S is having some struggles with the newness of everything and feeling overwhelmed. He's not a kid who likes change or unpredictability and even after the initial settling in, life in Madagascar is unpredictable. I'm hoping the experience helps build flexibility and resilience. 

So it's been a busy week,  but today,  Saturday,  is rainy and windy and we're just enjoying a day off. Baking,  reading, and resting up for next week.