A Visit to Some Centers

I went to one of the educational centers on Monday to meet the teachers there so I can start going twice a week to help out. 

The kids were  8 and 9 years old, unruly and out of control, but for the most part good natured. I'm taking Will there tomorrow (Friday) so he can start going on Thursdays and Fridays in the afternoons also.  You should have seen the look on the one teacher's face when I said there would be two of us coming to help out -- she really needs the help! Apparently the particular class hasn't had a steady teacher EVER, so no wonder they have no concept of consistency or good behavior! 

Basically the 'centers' are two apartments in a large apartment complex. The complex was built by the government to house a community whose legal slums were demolished last year by government-permitted construction projects. So, the complex is run-down, there's dirty kids and chickens running around, and who knows what else. 

The whole neighborhood in general is a very poor area -- bad road conditions, lots of slum housing, trash and dirty water, etc. It's amazing to think about what the kids deal with on a daily basis, not to mention what their family lives are probably like.  

Also, there is a large Muslim population in the area, so that means it's common to see women in the full black burqa, green flags flying from rooftops (green is the color of Islam), and the call to prayer was blasting over loudspeakers when I left around 5:30 in the afternoon. -- Makes for some sights that we certainly don't see at home! 

I wonder if other Americans living in places like this are equally curious about Muslim culture? It seems like since 9/11 it has been an 'us versus them' conception between 'east and west'. I feel privileged to be able to experience 'the east' for what it really is here... whatever that is! 

So I'm staying busy. I'm trying to be out of the office as much as possible - I'm teaching two classes on Thursday afternoons across town, will be visiting the centers twice a week in the afternoons, and next week I'm starting a language course in the mornings for teachers-in-training... to boost their English skills. 

Hope everyone is doing great!