Mixed Feelings

I’ve been struggling with approaching the subject of schooling in Haiti because I don’t want to be the “outsider” who comes in and judges how something is done in another culture.  I also have mixed feelings about what is beneficial to the special-needs children at Notre Maison  and what is wasted money.

Gertrude has hired two ladies (who are AMAZING to watch as they work) to come in every day from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and do school for the special-needs kids and the children who don’t go to school (these kids range in age from 18 mo.-4 years).  The school day starts with singing the national anthem and singing songs.  The only people singing are teachers and the nannies.  The babies are too young to speak, the special-needs kids are non-verbal, and the pre-school aged kids are learning the words.

Much of the school day progresses the same way.  It seems as if what is being taught would be considered pretty typical pre-school work: days of the week, how to introduce yourself, fun songs, months of the year, shapes, colors, etc.  They have some nap time, they eat lunch, they have some play time.

I wonder, though, what’s the point?  For the babies, I’m sure eventually some of it will sink in, and when they develop language skills, they will have this knowledge.  They sit in chairs most of the day, however, and I don’t know that that’s developmentally appropriate.

The pre-school kids probably benefit the most because the “curriculum” is at their developmental level.  The special-needs kids will most likely never be able to talk or need the information being taught.  Could the money being spent on the two teachers be better used to provide for the special-needs kids’ other needs?

Now, having said all that, the kids LOVE the singing.  Even though they don’t understand the words, they respond to the music and the rhythm.  They smile and clap, and it’s obvious they love it.  And, the time during the day is filled with stimulation, both physical and auditory.  I know the two teachers give the kids more attention than the nannies did.  In fact, I think the nannies are less bored because they participate, too! 

I struggle with thinking that something better suited to the kids’ needs would be more appropriate and then acknowledging that something is better than nothing.  The two teachers are incredible.  They never flag in energy or enthusiasm.  They sing loudly even though they get no response from any of their students.  They patiently have students come up to the board to have them work on Left, Right, Circle, Square, etc. 

Part of me thinks it would be better to invest the money in physical/occupational therapy equipment, but I don’t know whether the nannies would really do the work.  Or, do you look for physical/occupational therapists to come in?  To be honest, I don’t know where one would find those skilled workers in PAP.  Would it be cost prohibitive? 

I don’t know what the answers are.  I don’t even know if I’m asking the right questions.  I just know I've been struggling with these questions since I arrived. 

 

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On to a totally different subject: food.  The food we are served at the guesthouse is phenomenal.  I've not eaten anything that hasn't been great.  I asked Gertrude to see the cooking area because in all my visits, I've never seen where this delicious food is cooked.  I just know it shows up in the kitchen area at meal time.  The cooking area is pretty primitive by American standards, but these ladies sure know what they’re doing!

This is tonight's supper cooking.