One year old in Kamwenge!

Having been in Kamwenge for 1 year now we thought we would put some local views on the blog. Enjoy!

Kamwenge Schools

Participants at the 'Guidance not Violence' workshop showing power differences betweeen different people - although Geoff looks as if the power has gone to his head.
Discussing the causes of bad behaviour by pupils
Charlotte, Valencia and Isaac going back to their dormitory. Charlotte (who has cerebral palsy) in the red jersey is guiding Valencia, who is blind
Rakel playing with Charlotte
Valencia catching the ball

We have been very busy over the last few weeks, carrying out workshops and making follow-up visits to school. It has been pleasing to see some of the good things that are happening in schools, as well as frustrating in some schools when the attendees at our workshops seem to have been asleep most of the time. Although perhaps they have!!

We have trying to visit the special needs unit at the local school for an afternoon a week and enjoy working with the pupils there. It reminds us of why we are working with the adults – to try to improve the education of the children. The pictures show some of the activities we do – playing with a ball to improve gross motor skills and touch-feely books for Valencia, who is blind. We have used some of the money you have given us to buy suitable resources for these children. Rakel, a Spanish volunteer here for 6 months, helps in the unit every day and has built up very good relationships with the children.

Yesterday we ran our first ‘Guidance not Violence’ workshop in Kamwenge Railway Primary School – so-called because it is next to the old railway station. We have to cross the old railway line to get to the school and despite having been here for a year and the railway having been closed for over 12 years, we still look both ways as we drive over the level crossing.

Anyway back to the workshop. It aims to promote positive discipline methods as schools prefer to fall back on corporal punishment, despite the fact that it is supposedly banned in schools. We look at issues of power, its use and abuse, and the moral question of how to maintain discipline, before looking at alternatives to corporal punishment. Again, thank you for your giving, which meets the costs associated with this workshop.