Saturday, May 30, 2009

Aerobics...in Nigeria!

While there is a group of us that run early in the mornings here in Jalingo, exercise isn't a high priority for most people. However, I was recently informed of a group that meets on a handball court in the morning 3 times a week for aerobics and encouraged to come and participate, so after my friend and I did our normal morning run this morning, we proceeded to aerobics class!

Now, I've done a variety of exercise classes back in the states at UNI, and in San Antonio, but doing aerobics here in Jalingo was a whole new experience! :) First of all the typical demographic of participant was a 45 year old male in high ranking governmental positions. Then, all exercises were done to Nigerian Praise music outside with many people stopping along the dirt road to watch the spectacle (I'm not sure how much of that was normal and how much was due to my presence.) When we did floor work, we used woven mats made from palm branches, and I was defintely the ONLY person who couldn't touch my "legs" (toes) during the stretching which no one could understand.

It was an enjoyable, energizing, and thoroughly entertaining experience that I plan to do for my remaining Saturdays in Jalingo! :)

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Tadpoles!

The JS3 students are being required to stay for a 2-week extension past their national exams and I was tasked with teaching them during that time. That’s right…9th grade students thinking that they’re going home for a 3 month break and being told, they’re actually staying for 2 more weeks of classes taught exclusively by me. Though I was skeptical of the possibilities of success, it hasn’t been that bad and it’s even been pretty fun at times!

I recently discovered that my school has a stream less than a quarter mile away from it…exciting! Some colleagues and I went and explored and then I decided during the topic of pollution we would take a field trip down to the stream. Thanks to my extensive experience with environmental field-based excursions during grad school I was comfortable with what data could be collected, observations made, and questions asked.

It was awesome! I had so much fun, the kids LOVED being amongst nature. They asked so many questions, collected temperature data, water samples, drew conclusions about habitats locations and observed adaptations of plants and animals. We were able to see so many tadpoles (only located in the clean, running water), leeches (in the more polluted water), figure out that the thorns on the acacia tree were to protect it from animals and the small leaves were to prevent loss of moisture. We saw the taller and greener grass in the stream bed and saw the tree-lined path.

After the adventure, the students learned about Microsoft Excel during our computer time and entered their data into a spread sheet data table. It was pretty exciting! Every once in a while in education, idealistic plans actually come together and when they do, it more than makes up for all the other times when they don’t.

Here are some pictures from the excursion as well as some others:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=77981&id=501312909&l=fcef6b6668

Computer Class

During the JS3 extension, I was told that I should teach them computer for a few hours per day. Overall, it has been a positive and beneficial experience. However, at one point the 7 different computers were going out like popcorn: as soon as power would get restored and rebooted another laptop would run out of power or a desktop would lose power from a partial connection in the power strip. Then, I realized (again) that using Microsoft Word 97, 2003, 2007 and Open Office Word without a central computer to demonstrate on isn’t ideal. Finally, there were about 6 kids per computer. Needless to say, we weren’t operating at optimum efficiency but the kids were thrilled to be on the computers and didn’t complain at all about the number of people per system, power outages or having to sit on the floor due to lack of available tables and chairs. They simply wanted to have free time at the end to play games and listen to music…just like kids in the US! :)

Friday, May 22, 2009

I Love Handball!

Before arriving in Nigeria, I was under the false impression that handball was like raquetball, but with your hand. No. Handball is like a cross between basketball and ultimate frisbee, and it's my game! I was on duty on Thursday and after the students close from classes, eat and siesta, they play games. I had the opportunity to embarrass myself on the soccer field, show my semi-competence in ping pong, enthusiastically participate in volleyball and most excitingly discover my love for the game of handball!

It's a 6 on 6 game where you can take 3 dribbles, but it's mostly all about passing and throwing the ball into a soccer-like goal. It's fast-paced and so much fun! All the fun of basketball without any of the pressure of shooting! :) It's my mission to watch a game of true players before I leave and then try to find the game when I return to the states!

(Side note: If anyone knows anyone associated with Madison Metropolitan School District, I'd love a connection!!) :)

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Toilets

As I was talking with some of my friends at school today, they asked me which of the states is the "least developed" in the US. Hmmmm...I thought...they're all developed.

I tried to use the example of toilets. Now, in my house at the mission compound, the toilet is basically like a toilet back in the US (it's not recommended to flush toilet paper, but still...) However, the rest of the toilets elsewhere I've encountered in Nigeria require a bucket of water to "flush" them. Then, there are plenty to be encountered at motor parks, school, etc that consist of a hole in the ground. I explained in the US, that the "worst" toilet one experiences is a porta-potty and proceded to explain.

Now, I can't say that I'm going to miss going to the bathroom in a hole (pit toilet) with flies. I can say that I don't really think about the fact that I'm going to the bathroom in a hole with flies anymore. It's great learning about what everyone views as normal...the Nigerians and I have certainly broadened our perspectives and understanding throughout the past months! :)

Updated Pictures!

Finally, I found a cafe that would allow me to upload my Kano pictures and some that show me working...I do go to work on a daily basis (when school is in session!) As always, check out the captions to better understand what's going on. Enjoy!

Catching Fun in Kano
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=76049&id=501312909&l=c49bad7d03

May Moments
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=77981&id=501312909&l=fcef6b6668

Sunday, May 10, 2009

A Time for Everything

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven.” Recently, insects have really made this idea come alive for me. As the predominant irritation has changed multiple times during my year here, so has my perspective on Nigeria.

When I first arrived, the mosquitoes assaulted me in full force. They died as the rain ceased and massive amounts of dust descended on everything which eventually began swirling into dust devils and descended as a haze. Like any living being, cockroaches desired to take refuge from these harsh conditions and felt that my house was a good location. Killing 4-5 per night was common. When the rain finally decided to return on March 30th, massive amounts of flies decided to join me in my celebration. Flies…everywhere! As the rain continued, the flies calmed down and reduced to an acceptable population. However, the mosquitoes have regained their moist breeding ground and are once again feasting on my blood.

Now, after detailing these delightful natural companions that have accompanied me in my stay in Jalingo (in addition to the epileptic power, spotty phone networks, and unreliable internet), it may be hard for people back to fully grasp how hard it is going to be for me to leave in less than two months. Jalingo has become my home and like all homes there are mix of frustrations that come with the good stuff!

I’m going to miss the children screaming with shrill delight “Baturia!!!” I’ll miss seeing the joy on people’s face when they are able to teach me something they consider simple (like tossing groundnuts on a tray to separate the nut from the thin covering or knitting) but I find difficult. I’m going to miss sleeping outside and hearing critters all around but knowing I’m protected in my mosquito tent! I’ll miss seeing the ridiculous improvements of my students in their lab skills and their amazement regarding the simplest demonstrations!

After talking with my brother (who was never a huge advocate of me coming to Nigeria), I have realized that I really enjoy and appreciate living in Jalingo, a pedestrian society, because of all the acquaintances and friendships that it has enabled me to make. He has encouraged me that I think I can move to a community in the states that has many of these qualities. While that is hopeful, I am really going to miss my Nigerian friends a LOT! I’ve taken consolation during my move to college, Texas and now to Nigeria in the fact that I can keep in touch with most people via the internet. One of the hardest things for me to face in my closing weeks is that I’ll likely not be able to keep in touch with many of these dear people that I’ve come to love. While I hope that I’ve left a positive impression of Americans in people’s lives, I KNOW that their friendships, like many back home, have changed my life forever.

Just as there was a season for each disturbance, there was a season to say hello to Nigeria, get to know the people and places and foods here, and develop a love for them. Now, it is the season of wrapping up projects, saying good-bye and praying for a job and my new season of life back in the states. Someday, I hope to be back certainly for a visit and who knows what else, but for now I will enjoy the end of my “Nigerian season” and know that just as God has kept me here, He’ll be with me in the next season also!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Chinese, really?!

As I was walking down the road one day, I heard some boys greeting me with "me-how!" repeatedly. I knew it wasn't English and I was pretty confident that it wasn't Hausa, so I decided to go ask them what language it was! At first they giggled and then they told me it was Chinese because "aren't you from China?" they asked. It cracked me up! They explained that it's Chinese for Hello. I asked them if they wanted to learn Hello in Spanish. They were pretty excited about that, so I taught them Hola. They dutifully repeated it over and over again. When I passed by a few hours later they greeted me by shouting "Hola!" :)

Then, a few days later someone else yelled at me "Hey, China!" later that same day someone rode by on a bike yelling "Italiano!" So funny! :) I'm entertained, but can't be too critical because just as people here think all white people look the same and can't easily distinguish between the different ethincities, I'm always intrigued by the way that they can tell a Nigerian from a Liberian by look.

I once read somewhere that people are much better at distinguishing characteristics among people of their common race and have found that to be totally true. When I first arrived I had a really hard time telling people apart, but I've improved significantly after making a lot of mistakes. I guess I'll cut them a little slack for thinking I'm Chinese! :)