More than Teaching

It’s talk and chalk in the classroom at Olive’s Rehabilitation Centre and quite often singing and dancing as well.  However, I realized after a short time working at the GVI Mombasa base that a big part of GVI’s work here is reaching out into the community. While we volunteers go off every day to teach, GVI staff continue their work of building networks with local shopkeepers, professionals and community leaders. By slowly building trust and goodwill they are constantly preparing the way for the supply of much needed help for the children.

GVI volunteer, Ros, teaching Standard 2 during her time in Mombasa

Recently, an optician agreed to carry out free tests of the children’s eyes at both Olives and Precious Schools and to supply glasses and medication at cost price. He also promised to provide annual retests.  A local carpenter made a blackboard for a fraction of the expected cost.  

A fellow GVI volunteer using the new blackboard to teach Standard 1 at Precious

GVI is also preparing the way for a groundbreaking initiative.  Following talks with Pastor Stephen, meetings are being arranged between Olives teaching staff and GVI staff to discuss the issue of discipline. Although now outlawed by the Kenyan Government, traditional discipline is still both culturally acceptable and practiced within schools and homes. Over time, it will undoubtedly be phased out. In the meantime, GVI is formulating other more acceptable methods of maintaining discipline for discussion by the working party.  On a lighter note, the offer of a free film show for the children at the local cinema was accepted enthusiastically.

One of the children from Precious enjoying free popcorn during a trip to Cinemax, the local movie house in Nyali, Mombasa

I have thoroughly enjoyed my six weeks’ teaching at Olives.  The children were pleased to see us and have worked hard and with a will all the time. The teaching staff accepted us with a friendly manner and I feel we have worked well side by side. I feel that I have made a difference or that at least I have made a contribution to these children’s education. I have certainly made some very good friends, both at school and at GVI.   

Ros, August 2010

More than Teaching