The Eugmot Foundation

. . . is the Orpphanage where I will be working through June. I spent my first week teaching class 2, primarily the subjects of mathematics and science (Big surprise?). School lasts from 8:15 to 2:15, and the children get a break for breakfast and lunch. I can't even begin to express how thankful I am for my schooling. All six classes are taught outside (In 90+ degree weather) underneath 20'x70' tin roof. This means that not only am I required to keep the full attention of all the 10 year olds in my class, but I also must keep kids in different classes from distracting the children in my class. And, I have to speak loud enough for all the kids my class to hear, but not too loud, because I'd be talking over the teachers of the other classes. I have to keep all the kids' exercise books with me each night, because if we leave it with the kids, they will use it as toilet paper. To be quite honest, the conditions are a nightmare, but we're all doing the best we can. It ever rained last week, and we all had to squeeze inside the small orphanage building, where we all sat to wait out the storm in the dark (because the power also went out).

I worked with the kids for 2 days on the subtraction of 3 digit numbers, which they had been working on for quite some time, and they seemed to truly understand the exercises. We then moved on to multiplication, which none of the kids had ever practiced before. By friday, about 3/4 of the class could perform simple multiplication equations, so I already feel accomplished that when I leave, I will have done something worthwhile for these children. It's such a liberating feeling, actually DOING something in my life. In science, we spent the whole week covering the measurement of length, mass, volume, and time. I'm such a physics nerd, so I loved it! Towards the end of each class, I made up a game for the kids where we make animal noises (For instance, and monkey and a lion), then decide which one has more mass. It's so fun to watch!

Down time here is largely spent sweating. Sweating while running each morning, sweating during breakfast, sweating while studying organic chemistry and reading novels--you get the picture. But do get the opprotunity to travel on the weekends, as well as take off towards some afternoon adventure. Last thursday, the 5 of us drove and hour to Wli falls, where we got to hike a gnarly mountain and see/swim in Ghana's largest waterfall. Its almost 200 feet high! The beauty of it was just absolutely wicked. ACtually, the beauty of most of the country is incredible. I often look out the window from our taxi each morning on the way to work and swear that I'm in Hawaii--with the subtle yet steep mountains surrounding our village and the unnumbered shades of green staring back at me.

Hope all is well, I'll try and post again soon!