Teachers' Day

The day started for me at 6:15 a.m. when the two youngest boys in my family knocked at my door.  I wasn’t planning to leave until 6:30 and wasn’t ready.  I gave them some sweet rolls I’d bought at the market the day before and they waited patiently.

We walked through the darkness down the main road toward the edge of the village.  We passed the man blowing loudly into a large water bottle.  His job is to wake up the men and let them know it’s time to go fishing.  He usually has to blow the alarm for about an hour.

There were a lot of kids waiting in front of the hospital.  There were no other teachers, though.  The first teacher showed up at 7:20 a.m., twenty minutes after we were supposed to begin marching toward the school.  The other two teachers arrived about 7: 40 and we stood around for a few more minutes before we started walking.

The kids were singing a song about teachers and were in a great mood.  We hadn’t walked far when the first people approached the Infant Supervisor, handing her money.  She announced who they were and how much they’d given to everyone nearby.

As we walked, more parents came forward to hand her money.  It took me awhile, but I realized that the whole purpose of the day was to solicit money.  The other half of the kids and teachers were walking from the other end of the village, also soliciting money. 

Once we got to school, I assumed we’d start the program but was incorrect.  Instead, the kids played and teachers sat around.  As usual, I wasn’t sure why were just sitting around.  I think we were waiting for more parents to show up.

Eventually, everyone was crowded into one of the classrooms and the program began.  After each class performed, music blared and the kids and teacher danced.  Again, the goal was to solicit donations for the teachers. 

I didn’t dance until Year 7.  The new teacher, a single man, was playing to the crowd.  He’d taken off his shirt and covered his chest and back with coconut oil.  One of the other teachers started dancing with him.  I decided it was time to give the crowd what they wanted – a palagi acting the fool.

I made a big deal about going over and pretending to punch the other teacher, dragging her away from “my” man.  The crowd went crazy.  Kids, parents and teachers were howling and cheering.  Another teacher came over to dance with “my” guy and so I had to punch her out, too.  The dancing, fake fighting and hilarity continued through that dance and after Years 7 & 8 performed the rap that I’d worked with them on.  Two of the parents got into the act, and I was forced to wrestle them off my guy.    By US standards, it was wrong on so many levels, but days later, people are still talking about it.  I demonstrated that I was into the Samoan humor and spirit.  Teachers and parents seemed very happy that I let my hair down.

The day ended with ice cream.  The Year 7 teacher who moved to New Zealand came by on Monday with 20 gallons of ice cream.  Ice cream here comes in 5 gallon containers.  The kids had been told to bring a cup or bowl or something and they did.  They each got a huge portion and between the dancing and the ice cream had a lovely time.

One of my Year 7 boys came up to me as we were leaving and said “Wasn’t this a perfect day?”  Yes, it was.  BTW, the teachers collected $500. 

More Teachers' Day Photos

Samoan children, Samoan flag.  Both beautiful.

We didn't draw a big crowd but the ones who showed, like this woman, brought us money.

This is the largest store in Faga.  Actually, most of it is the home of the store owner.  Luckily, the Tuisivi store, less than 2 miles away, is big enough that you can walk into it.  Sadly, they're out of cheese.  Again.

This is the main island road that runs around Savaii.  It is our largest road.  That's one of the buses that I take at least twice a week.

My new boyfriend and the hussy who keeps trying to horn in on my territory.  Read the entry that's coming for details.

Teachers' Day

Teachers' Day is an annual event and it was last Wednesday.  I'll be writing about it, but in the meantime...photos!

It was o'dark early when we started.  Luckily, my two young host brothers came to get me, since I'm not allowed to walk outside alone in the dark.

Sunrise as we approached the Tuisivi hospital was nice.  Half the students walked from each end of the village.  I live in the middle so got to walk over 2 miles.

Kids brought posters and sang as we walked to the school.  The goal was to get the attention of parents and others in the village, so they'd bring us cash.  That's the main hospital on the island in the background, toward the left.

The sun heated up quickly as we walked.  The two straight lines became...less straight.

Clothes

I’ve noticed that people here aren’t so picky about men’s vs. women’s clothes.  It’s very common to see a boy wearing a girl’s t-shirt.  Or shoes.  Backpacks are unisex.  I’ve seen a big Year 8 boy proudly carrying a pink Cinderella school bag. 

Saturday I was on the bus and a group of young men got on.  I’m guessing they were a rugby team.  Fit, muscular, sharing some male camaraderie.  Two were wearing what were clearly women’s tops.  One was a pink t-shirt with rhinestones and cap sleeves.  It was a belly shirt, exposing some serious abs.    One of the other guys was wearing a long sleeve top.  The kind with bell sleeves that cover all but a girl’s fingertips.  He wore it well.

I’ve seen men wear their wive’s puletasi skirts.  Really they’re the same as the men’s “skirts”.  They’re a piece of cloth with ties.  Usually the men wear them in dark colors with no prints and womens tend to be floral and brightly colored.  But same concept.

Imagine not having to worry about what you wear.  So what if the colors don’t match.  Who cares?  Was it made with females in mind and you’re a guy?  Don’t let that stop you.  As long as it’s relatively clean and comes close to fitting, it works.  It saves time, money and stress.  I much prefer the approach to fashion here than the much more restrictive rules at home. 

Mail!

It was a good day, had a dip, then soared.   Kids and teachers were into preparing for Teachers’ Day.  I had a good lesson with Year 7, using the postcards we’ve received as the basis.  Responses from us may seem slow but please understand.  These are kids who’d never seen a postcard.  They receive no mail.  Junk or otherwise.  The concept of sending a postcard is new.  Today, we practiced by writing a postcard message to a friend in the class.  They got it.  Hurray!

At the end of the day we had a dress rehearsal  for the Teachers’ Day performance.  Watching Year 1 do a haka, I almost wet myself, I was laughing so hard.  First, hakas are Maori, not Samoan.  Funnier, though, is that a haka is a war dance.   The purpose is to strike fear in the hearts of your enemies.  Funny, then, to see tiny tots stamping their feet and making threatening gestures, while saying they love their teachers.  Irony, eh?

I’d had 30 minutes over two days to work with Years 7 and 8 on a jazz chant…or Granny Rap.  The kids did their best and had fun but were criticized.  Actually, the criticism was aimed at me.  “The words weren’t clear.”  True enough.  Some of the kids speak very little English, so just yelled sounds to be part of the show. 

Tomorrow, we’ll try a slower version.  The kids were chastised and told to learn the words by the show.  They have to learn at least one new song for each class, plus since this is the week of White Sunday, they also have to memorize multiple songs/dances/plays for church.  That’s a lot of pressure.

After school, I raced home to drop off my bags, then headed to town.  I wanted to buy avocadoes and mangoes at the market.  No luck.  I bought oranges and bananas instead.  Then I hit the post office, although I didn’t have high hopes.  Boy, was I wrong.

The very nice Post Mistress brought the whole stack of PC mail to sort.  Half of it was mine!  Fa’afetai lava (thanks very much) to Lew for his third postcard from Amish country.  Thanks too, to Carol and Doug from Tallahassee.  Beautiful town, where I was lucky enough to spend some time a couple of years ago.  Thanks to Dorothy who sent  great postcards from Cape Cod and Niagara Falls.  Kathy, from NY, thanks for sending the postcard from Colorado! 

The postcards help the kids understand geography.  They practice English.  They connect to a broader world.  My thanks to you for helping in this effort.  I wish you could be there to see the kids looking at the pictures and reading your messages.

In addition to the postcards, I got 2 packages.  Packages have slowed in coming and that’s as it should be.  I really have all I need and it is so expensive to send them here, not to mention a PIA.  Having said that, it makes me appreciate them even more when they arrive.  Especially when I’m having a “nobody loves me, everybody hates me, I just want to go home and eat worms” kind of moment.

Kia , Pool Boy and my favorite movie producer…thank you so much for your package.  Crystal Lite is known here as Palagi Water, since when anyone asks if they can drink from my bottle I say “Sure, it’s ****(explaining the flavor).  Diet soda is hard to find and expensive.   The option to drink a flavored water without a lot of calories is awesome.  And thanks so much for including all the postcards of Florida!  I admit, on this anniversary of 1 year away from home, I got a bit teary as I looked at the postcard of Orlando. 

I’ve learned a lot here in Samoa.  About myself, mostly.  Who knew I’d learn about American products here?  First it was air dried green chiles and tonight…powdered peanut butter!  Sister Mary Margaret – where did you get it?  Amazing!  I also appreciate all the stickers and flash cards.  They will be a huge hit at school. Thanks so much for your thoughtful package.

Today had its ups and downs.  I was thinking on the way home on the bus about it.  The same as being at home, really.  Some really good stuff.  Some tougher stuff.  Two big differences, though:

·         Yesterday evening I was walking home from volleyball.  A young boy called my name and waved.  I waved back.  He was so excited he started walking backwards, waving at me with both arms fully extended. To him, I’m a rock star.

·         Friends took the time, spent the money and were thoughtful enough to send stuff half way around the world for me and the kids I’m teaching.

Someone asked me recently if I regretted joining the PC.  Hell no!  It’s a challenge.  And a joy.  Like the recent tagline said:  Peace Corps, the toughest job you’ll ever love.

I prefer the earlier tagline:  Peace Corps:  We Work for Love.

Thanks for the love.

Granny Rap

Tomorrow is Teachers' Day.  Coincidentally, its also the one year anniversary of our arrival in Samoa.

I was told yesterday afternoon that after "marching" from Tuisivi at the other end of the village (over a mile away) with all the kids, there would be singing, dancing and performances.  I was also told that I was expected to have each child in the school prepared to do a song, play, poem, etc.  I had 24 hours to prepare over 200 kids.


I negotiated and am now responsible for Years 7 & 8 doing something for the teachers in English.  They love what they call rap - in teachers circles, its known as jazz chants.  I call it Granny Rap.  Here's what I came up with after five minutes to ponder:

WE LOVE OUR TEACHERS!

We love our teachers, we really do.

Kavana, Filoi and Alo too.

Siliato is new, we like him already.

He teaches Year 7 and keeps them steady.

Kaiva, Pa’i and Lefu score.

They teach reading, writing and so much more.

Meripa and Nancy always take the chance

When they’re not teaching to get up and dance.

Avaoia goes to meetings to keep us on track.

We’re always happy when she comes back.

We love our teachers.

We really do.

Today’s the day we say

THANK YOU!

 Ok, I won't expect any recording deals soon, but the kids loved it and were practicing it last night.  We'll be ready for prime time tomorrow.

Saturday I'll be posting photos that I've taken of Savaii and everyday life along with pictures of Teachers Day.  Sunday, I'll post photos of my first White Sunday in the village.  This term is already flying by....