I have not quite figured out why I am less frequently writing here since my return. It could be any number of things. I am doing other things, yes. I have learned how to get American TV shows, both old and new on my computer, yes. I am just more accustomed to being here and things seem quite a bit more ordinary, yes again. Like I said, I have not figured that out yet.
Any way, I did have a really good week and that was due mostly to helping out a great English teacher at the local elementary schools. This is the school here in Kocani that enrols all of the handicapped children and also has a very diverse student body with a lot of Roma students. I originally got involved here through another volunteer. Together we applied for a grant to repair the leaky roof, fix the fence, and remove the mold from the handicapped kids area. I then decided to encourage this site to apply for a volunteer of their own. A new group will arrive in September and they could certainly put a person to work here. the director, the English teacher and I completed the application, enlisted a support letter from another volunteer and then got the Peace Corps to come out and see the facility and interview the director. A conversation with the fifth grade English teacher lead me to be there this week. She had decided to offer a grammar and a spelling competition to her best students and asked if I would like to assist. She thought the kids would enjoy having a native speaking American at their event.
We had seventeen participants in each event, one held on Tuesday and the second the following day. All that I was asked to do on day one was correct the grammar tests. On day two, the spelling bee, I was the person to select and read the words. With the help and sometimes requested translation of the teacher, we guided the eventual winners through so many rounds of words that we lost count.
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| deep in thought |
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| ready to spell |
All of the seventeen participants made it through the first round even though some were very nervous. I think a lot of the nerves were simply because I was there. While a group missed on round two, the remaining ten or so lasted for several more rounds...sometimes getting second chances when we thought the words were a little too difficult. Eventually we were down to five, all very good students obviously. They would stand, think a bit and then sound out the words. these kids were amazing. Not only were they spelling words in a foreign language, but they were using an entirely different alphabet to do so. I know if I had been on the other end of this, spelling in their language, I would have been long gone. The final three, two boys and a girl went through at least ten more words apiece and then there were two. Each had their own style. One boy would stand, repeat the word once and then spell it right away in a very matter of fact way. The next young man, who eventually would finish second to the other two, was actually the best of the group for most of the event. Without hesitation he would rattle off the reply like he was a native speaker. The young lady remaining was far more deliberate and required more time and coaxing. Eventually she would sound it out correctly, always after some considerable thinking. We got down to the final pair and after another ten words we decided that there was no need to proceed further and we proclaimed a tie...two first place certificates and one second place. I have photos here of the winners of each competition as well as their excellent teacher and a young man from the municipality that helps me out when I need him...especially when the language is involved. These fifth graders were amazing and will be fluent in English by the time they are in high school for sure.
This event also coincided with the arrival of the books I had ordered from an organization in Connecticut that offers free books to Peace Corps volunteers. Darien Book is the name and all that they required was an email request stating the ages of the kids. They limit the gift to one box, weighing approximately 40 pounds. As you can see in the photo, the books were a big hit too.
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| Spelling Bee Champs |
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| All the winners |
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| The new English language books |
I finally took a photo of two of my adult groups. The group below are all new to English but we have a lot of fun just trying communicate. I love this class.
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| Gorgi, Vlado, Violetta, and Blashka |
These two young ladies are new. They approached me at the evening classes offered by the city and asked if I would meet with them weekly also. Their English is quite good but they want to improve their conversational skills for travelling and possible job opportunities.
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| Emilia and Martina |
