Standard 3 go to the Post Office!!

When we first stepped foot into the standard three classroom at Olives Rehabilitation Centre we both felt intimidated by the task at hand. However the smiles that greeted us soon erased any fears. Each child rose from his or her seat and recited, “Good morning Madam. How are you Madam” in unison. We were ready to embark on our first teaching experience!

Following the curriculum, we devised a lesson plan based on learning the vocabulary terms for a Post Office. An English lesson on the Post Office may seem simple for a typical western standard three classroom; however, as a volunteer teacher in Mombasa, Kenya, you must realise the scope of the children’s perspectives. When a child lives in the slums of Mombasa, they do not receive mail or venture to the nearest Post Office. As a teacher, you must understand that you are introducing an entirely unfamiliar concept, in a language that the students are still just beginning to learn. Creativity and understanding are imperative.

Students from standard 3

In order to help the students grasp the concept, we wanted to build something that could simulate the experience of the Post Office. We built a cardboard post box for them to “mail” letters with, and a “Post Office” sign to hang in the room during the lesson. During the English lesson, we taught the students new vocabulary. We then reinforced this new concept with a Creative Arts lesson. We first taught them how to write a letter and then got them to write letters of their own.

They wrote ‘Thank You’ letters for Mr Albert (the manager and director of Haller Park) who GVI works closing with. Mr Albert has been so generous as to allow the students go to Haller Park on educational trips. After they finished writing letters, we created small envelopes for them to decorate, address, and even put stamps (stickers) onto. The students were engaged in the lessons the entire time because they were allowed to be active participants. Many had a hard time parting with their letter as they dropped it through the slot in the Post Box.

The 'Post Office' and all the letters from Standard 3 ready to be posted

The most rewarding part of the whole first lesson for us was when Mr Steven (one of the founders of Olives) came into the classroom after the English lesson and the class demonstrated to him what they had learned. The class knew all the vocabulary we had taught, and answered with enthusiasm and confidence. We were thrilled to see that we could actually teach! Experiences such as the ‘Post Office’ showed us how such small everyday activities to us, are extremely new and exciting to children who come from disadvantaged communities.

Troy and Katie 2010

Standard 3 go to the Post Office!!