Month One: Don't Worry!

The last two weeks have finally afforded me the opportunity to escape the training classroom and get a taste of what I've come here to do- teach English.  Despite possible objections to what could be viewed as another example of American ethnocentrism, teaching English is important because it truly is, as it has been called, “the world's second language.”  Learning English provides access to ongoing global conversations, such as how to cure diseases, ameliorate poverty, decrease pollution, etc.  Also, on a smaller scale, many students are very motivated at the prospect of working in a call center.  Yes, working in a call center provides a coveted stable life that isn't nearly as accessible to all as it is in the US.  So, be nice to those people you talk to on the phone when you're angry about a malfunction or service problem!  Furthermore, Colombia is particularly interested in increasing English fluency among the general population because there is a big push to attract more tourists.  Colombia is much safer now than it once was, and slowly, the country is showing up on the gringo trail.  I recently met a young woman who is teaching English to police officers so that they will be better able to respond to tourists trickling in from all over the world.  Following is a link to a short 5 minute TED talk we watched in training about "English mania" where Jay Walker, inventor and owner of Walker Digital, explains why 2 billion people around the globe are trying to learn English.  What intensity in these students!

Jay Walker on the world's English mania | Video on TED.com

Two weeks ago, I visited an all girls’ school in Santa Marta called Escuela Normal Superior Maria Auxiliadora.  I arrived shortly after 7:00 (school begins at 6:30!) where the girls were still at their “Buenos Dias,” a short charla, or motivational talk, from the nuns. 

This school, and the students, were beautiful. The grounds were well-kept with plants and small garden retreats located throughout the campus.  The class sizes were manageable and the students motivated.  Every bulletin board had a Biblical or inspirational message.  This one was my favorite:

Rough translation: "When you're being educated, you're always in the right place at the right time.  There are no bad hours for learning.  Thank you, Teachers."  Ummm... I want to work at this school.


Unfortunately these conditions are very atypical for a Colombian school.  Many of the other volunteers visited schools that were dilapidated and taught by poor teachers with consequently uninterested and unruly students.  One school had a bathroom that hadn't worked for two months, so the school day was decreased.  The explanation given is that when a school files for a maintenance request, corruption is suspected, so sometimes it takes several months for problems to be addressed.  There are often not enough desks in classrooms that can reach up to 60 students and remember-- no air conditioning.  (Barranquilla has been running a steady 90 degrees since I've been here.  And this is the rainy season, which means cooler season.)  There are also sparse materials.  The schools that do have textbooks, curriculum, and technology safeguard them by locking them up and making them inaccessible to all- students and teachers.  There are no copy machines in the schools, so students pay teachers for their own worksheets and exams!  In addition to these obstacles, creating effective change in the schools is made even more complicated by the scheduling.  In the four weeks I've been here, there has been only one full week of classes.  Festivos, or holidays, are FREQUENT.  Add to this an expected 30-45 minute late start time- for each class- and you have a challenging scenario.  


So with all of the turbulence, infrequencies, and unreliability of schedules, Colombia is teaching me one major word: relax.  The way to get by is to be fully in each moment, to not worry- no preocupes, relax some more-relajate, and take it easy- coja la suave.  Don't worry about what's next because it may rain, and then you'll just stay inside to avoid arroyos.  Computer broken?  Don't worry.  Can't find the right bus?  Don't worry.  Don't know what's going on most of the time?  DON'T WORRY.


Yesterday was my host mom Naifir's 53rd birthday.  We made punch-

And ate cake!

From left to right: Mercedes- Naifir's cousin.  Hobbies: watching TV while topless.  Naifir- amazing host Mom.  Activities: serving everyone with a smile.  Santiago-Mercedes's sister's daughter's son.  Hero: Spiderman.  Gladys- Mercedes's niece.  First question to me: How much are the Victoria Secret body sprays in the US?


I find out my site location on Thanksgiving day.  Everyone is vying for a post in Santa Marta, but rather than being attached to desirable circumstances, I'd rather align my wishes with the Creator's design in what's best for me at this moment in life.  Hope with me for the best site of all- the best site for me!