Speech Day

Today marked the end of the term and the end of the 2011 school year at Ruharo Infant School. The children have been preparing songs, rhymes, recitations, conversations, riddles, and skits for the past month in preparation for today: Speech Day.

A white tent and a variety of chairs and desks were set up in the school yard. Parents and family members happily gathered to watch the performances and celebrate another school year. Many of the songs, poems, and skits centered around the common themes of domestic violence, the importance of education (because you'll be able to get a job and be rich), and AIDS. If a child did an especially good job leading a song or in a performance, parents from the audience would go up to the child and press a small candy or coin into his or her hand in appreciation. There was one conversation about how boys can and should cook and help around the house, and needless to say, he got quite a bit of appreciation candy from the mothers in the audience!

I've been having fun teaching songs and rhymes in middle and top class, and I was thrilled to see how well the children performed them and the delightful response from parents. Top class sang, among many others, "The Birdie Song," "Alice the Camel," and "Bingo." Middle class performed "Where is Thumbkin," but by far the biggest hit was "Tooty Ta," a Dr. Jean classic.

Dr. Jean is an early childhood education celebrity, of sorts, and Tooty Ta is one her most loved and silliest songs! And clearly silly songs translate through culture quite effectively because the parents were in stitches watching the children perform this catchy and hilarious song and dance. Grace, the little girl who led the song, also walked away with two fistfuls of candy. The director of the school even requested a repeat performance toward the end of the program.

Sadly, my camera's battery died about half way through the program, so I wasn't able to get video or photos. But you can take my word for it... They were darling!

My role at Ruharo is going to look different in the coming months. The new school year will begin the first week in February, but I will not be taking an active role teaching in the classroom anymore. Instead, I plan to work one-on-one with the top class teacher. I desire to help her plan more effective and engaging lessons, implement new techniques for classroom management, set up routines and procedures in the classroom, and above all else, be an encouragement and support as I share the love of Christ with her.