Lessons in empathy

Last night I accompanied a friend to the adult literacy class he teaches. For last night's class there were four students present and the lesson involved reading a short passage in English. Although the students had varying levels of proficiency in English, overall they were still in the beginning stages of mastering the language. This resulted in a large portion of the class involving my friend explaining words and phrases from the passage to them in Zulu, as well as discussions amongst the class members in Zulu about what they were reading. This got me thinking about the power of language. But it also got me trying to think in Zulu, to follow what was going on in the lesson. I tried to gather all my focus and my very limited Zulu vocabulary, to figure out what was being said. By paying attention to facial expressions, gestures and context I was able to understand what was being said most of the time.
While reflecting after the class I realized that I was having my own lesson in Zulu literacy. But more importantly, in empathy. It's not all that often where I am in a situation where I am surrounded by people speaking a language that I do not understand, but for some people it is. It's not all that often that I have to use all my focus to figure out what people are saying, for some people it it.

"They look good, but they are hungry."

Those words were spoken by the principal of the school these students attend. I had the privilege of sitting and talking with Mr. Makuse on Saturday morning. Principals' offices always have such a regal air about them, I almost felt like I was sitting in the oval office!
Mr. Makuse set the scene in telling us that when he began his post as principal around this time last year, the pass rate was 18%. Yes, eighteen percent!
He went on to explain how, over the past year, through a number of interventions and with the help of supports like TEN, they managed to get the pass rate up to 59% by the end of last year.
I was in awe and encouraged to hear about this 41% improvement!
The principal explained that one of the biggest challenges is the severe hunger experienced by the learners. Most of the students' parents work on a nearby farm but it is not consistent work and they are not able to make ends meet. Mr. Makuse said that the hunger is so acute that they have students fainting and passing out during assemblies and class. He has managed to get sponsors for food for the students, but only for 3 days a week. Mr. Makuse says that on the other two days they still have students fainting and passing out.
These same students are the bright-eyed, ready to learn individuals shown in the above picture that I got to talk to and joke with on a sunny Saturday morning.

A proud rooster walking around the school gardens.

She wants us to put the desks in a circle! Eish!

Today was a vibrant day! From the early morning coffee stop with Mo and Ben, waiting for our coffee amidst the aroma of sizzling vetkoek and mielies cooking on open flame... to the impromptu grammar lessons I taught using references to both Kwaito artists and Drake to keep it upbeat.

I had the privilege of spending the morning with a group of Grade 12 students in Thubelihle in Mpumalanga province. I had to shake my head in amazement over these students' dedication - present and ready to learn on not only a public holiday but also the last day before they are back at school.
For the first few minutes I spent some time observing a tutoring session on math exam terminology. I was enthralled by the excellent rapour that the facilitator had with his students - he was an excellent teacher and the learners were very engaged with what they were being taught.

I also had the chance to teach the english portion of the program to a group of students. While I hadn't prepared to teach this morning - I was excited at the opportunity!
As I entered the room, the students were beginning to move the desks all piled at the back of the room, into rows. I quickly got everyone's attention and asked them to move the desks into a circle instead. I think the students were quite bewildered with me and my seemingly bizarre instructions!

Once we had managed to arrange the desks and find a seat for everyone around the circle, I introduced myself to the students - explaining who I am and what I am doing. I then explained that I would not be able to simply strut in and start teaching them without knowing who they are. So I asked them to please each say their name as well as their favourite food... this instruction was met once again with a certain degree of surprise. I was fascinated to learn that each student found in important to state both their first and last name. We also had frequent outburts of laughter over my attempts at pronouncing names and my being educated about certain foods that were new to me. We then all went on a journey together, discovering more about English exam terminology, grammar and essay outline creating. 

I learnt, I laughed, I loved. I felt completely unsure yet comfortable in the uncertainty.