Back to School

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Teachers reported to school on Thursday and Friday and the learners report tomorrow. Vacation is over and it’s back to what I am here for, teaching. I’ve done some preparation but not near as much as I hoped to do. All the experienced teachers tell me this is normal, and I will be fine. I can do this! I will take charge of my classes, I will be prepared for the days lesson plans, I will do my best to help my learners learn. In other words, I will fake it ‘til I make it.

Instead of lesson planning, reviewing and learning classroom management techniques, I was learning, planning, and creating a perma-garden. Peace Corps has adopted this method of gardening for individual households and/or community gardens. The techniques use locally resourced materials, shared manual labor, and “maximize the minimum”, and “minimize the maximum” which means the techniques maximize the use of minimal water and minimize the damage that can be caused by extreme rainfall or other natural hazards.

I just have a small double-dig plot about 1m x 4m with single-dig protective berms and holes and swales for collecting and directing water. We amended the soil with egg shells, coffee grounds, manure, ash, and charcoal. “We” includes me, my housemate Martha (Blessing’s nanny), Hermine (the matrone), and Uncle (the hostel handyman). They all helped by supplying materials, tools, or labor.

As of today, it is ready for planting. I will divide it into four 1m sections with green beans, beets, zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers. I will plant perennials such as herbs and other local plants on the berms.

All for now with all my love