watoto chaos

After the kids being so naughty last week I was not looking forward to shule Thursday but I have to say they turned it on and charmed their way back into my heart. Maybe because I warned and then kicked one kid out for the day, maybe it was because I told them they could only play parachute games if they ALL listened and obeyed, or maybe it was because they actually wanted to learn. Knowing kids I am going with the threatening and promising rewards. But whatever, I’ll take it. I am also determined to make this work without “beating” them which I have been told is the only way they will listen and respect me. I am hearkening back to my days as a teacher and remembering that following through with what you say (even if it is really hard and means one little boy crying outside the gate for 20 minutes begging to come back to shule), positive peer pressure, and allowing kids to see that they need to earn the things they want work. It is and will continue to be painstaking for sure but I know they can do it. They redeemed themselves in a big way last week and I was reminded of why I love these little watoto so. So when they came over Friday and asked it broken but adorable English “Teacher, give me ball please” I decided that since Jason was teaching at the vocational center we could have play time at our house. As always it was chaotic and I made a quick video (one kid shows off some counting and my fav part is a little girl chasing Anni yelling “aneeeka” over and over again 🙂 and of course I snapped some pics.

So here are some of wanafunzi wangu (my students)….











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