Date: Sat, 19 Oct 2002

From: Abby Stamm

Subject: what am I doing???

Moni nonse,

Not much to say. The term is going well. We have four student teachers from Domasi College practice teaching at our school. I am paired with Mr Kalonga, who has been teaching my ten Integrated Science Form 1 periods. I observe him periodically and give feedback using the Domasi and Peace Corps evaluation forms. He's good. I taught him the cientific method, which is not taught here, and he uses it all the time, usually correctly. When I asked my three Form 1A troublemakers, Phonix Alison, White Liganga, and Geoffry Maxwell, what they thought of him, they told me he teaches just like me. I'm not sure if that's a compliment or not. A few students have come to me for help when they do not understand him.

The first time I met Mr Kalonga and the other three student teachers, all male, was at the staff meeting immediately after my return from PSI, which I described in my last letter. I had brought a box of condoms to distribute to the teachers present. One of the student teachers asked me, "Our wives are not here. Are we supposed to find girlfriends?" "No," I said, "but if you do, use a condom." No one talks about affairs here and I am told they are improper, but they are actually very common here. Mr Mbewe told me he is afraid to get condoms at the dispensary, or send his wife to get them, but is willing to ask me for them. I was amused because I am forever teasing him about condoms, especially when he asks for them, and don't care if other teachers are around.

Meanwhile, I continue to teach my three Life Skills Form 3 periods and steal Madam Kunda's period when I need a double. I still enjoy the freedom of Life Skills. I did a condom demonstration with Mr Mbewe's help. I did not have a good fake penis sadly, and our PCMO has been unsuccessful in acquiring any for us, so I demonstrated with soda bottles. It worked, if not well. Some of the students were afraid to open the condoms, some turned them into balloons (the only balloons I've ever seen in Malawi), and a few tried to hide them away for later. Tebulo Maluwa, the class monitor whose name means "table flowers," can tell you anything you want to know about condoms and asks intelligent questions, but absolutely refused to touch one. One girl opened hers, then declared it too slimy and left it.

Mr Mbewe and I did a survey of Form 3 one day in his Science & Technology class. Only about ten of the students would willingly get an HIV test, which can now be done at my dispensary. They take the blood there, then send it to Liwonde for testing. The results return in a few days. Of the rest, most said if they learned they had HIV, they would commit suicide. Lying on the tarmac at night and drinking poison were preferred methods. I am not sure if I am accomplishing anything or not. The students are learning the facts and they are talking about these issues now with less resistance, but I have not noticed any attitude changes.

I am bored teaching so little, so I have been visiting the Ulongwe II primary school to observe classes there. The students and teachers both enjoy when I come. I sat in on one Standard 5 science class that proved entertaining and sad at the same time. The teacher had brought in a gulo, a small lizard with a blue head and cheeks that stick out. She was teaching the class about animals with and without backbones. When she released the lizard from the jar, she jumped back and so did all of the kids. The lizard ran for the door, then stopped on the step. Being me, I went to check on it, notebook in hand. After I asked about half a dozen questions, the teacher told me that the gulo is harmless and does not bite, but she was still terrified when I touched it. As gently as I could, I picked it up and put it on my notebook, then let the children stroke it. They were scared and rough, but I was impressed that they touched it at all. In my area, even though all of the lizards are harmless (except snakes, but I don't think they are lizards), they are still routinely killed out of fear and no one can explain why to me. I will never know if my two minute demonstration will do any good. When the gulo was thoroughly traumatized, I brought it to the brush between the headmaster's and Zembanis' houses and set it loose. In general, I was impressed with all of the science classes that I saw there. Even with no equipment, teachers brought in fish, ant lions, and foods, let the students touch them and play with them, and got the students out of the classroom for scavenger hunts and acting.

What am I doing? If only I knew. I applied to be PCVL (Peace Corps Volunteer Leader), but was not accepted. Dave Buie, the one I met over e-mail before staging, will be PCVL. I am upset, but I know he'll be good at it. I asked Dora (my APCD - the education bwana) what else I could extend to do. She was not very helpful. Then I asked AnnaMaria (the Country Director) about transferring to another country. At that point, Dora suggested that I apply to teach at a teacher training college in Malawi next year. Even without a clear project in mind, she wants me to remain in Malawi, which surprised me a little. I have sent a letter to the Ministry of Education with my request and am awaiting a response. Dora has been away, but plans to visit the Ministry about it next week. If it works out, I would train primary school teachers at the college in Kasungu. I would probably teach general science and english. More when I know more.

I have met the new trainees, all 20 of them. The married couple read my letters on dad's site before they came. All they remember is the minibus accident. I'm glad they were not frightened away by it. I had gone for a Diversity session with Chris, a health volunteer in Chikwawa, and Jeremy, an environment volunteer from Mangochi, who prefers trees to people. It did not go as well as was hoped, so we are working on making their second session more effective now. The Regional or Sub-Regional Director will come this weekend to Lilongwe. (Sorry, I can't keep track of people's titles.) Megan, a health volunteer in Lilongwe, and I will do a presentation for him on Monday about Diversity.

Also on Monday I begin my COS medical exam, starting with the urine and stool samples, as Evelyn reminded me this afternoon.

I just learned yesterday that our funding for Summer School in the second half of December fell through. On two days' notice, the volunteer coordinators have been able to raise about $3500 of the $10,000 needed for food, supplies, and facilities. Anyone want to help? Those of you in RPCV groups will get a separate message anytime from now. The program is a two-week academic program that pulls two good Form 3 students from each of our schools to learn sciences, maths, english, life skills, computers, and whatever other subjects volunteers want to teach. For the first week, counterparts will also attend to observe and teach classes.

Love to all,

Abby

P.S. Mom and dad, if I extend, I will be back in the States on leave from about mid-December to about mid-January.