I was super nervous to teach as I had heard the kids were super mahay (good at) English and get through content quickly. I started off by writing basic malaria facts on the board in English then we translated them to Malagasy together. We then moved to malaria symptoms and the kids shouted out words in Malagasy then I wrote the English word on the board. After pronouncing the words in English (they struggled with the word 'diarrhea' and I had the whole class repeat that one several times before they pronounced it correctly), then creating actions for each symptom, we played 'Simon Says.' The kids loved acting out words such as vomit and fever and included lots of sound effects.
We discussed treatment, prevention, and net care, then moved on to the 'dream banner' activity. The kids wrote three goals for their future in English then pinned them on the mosquito net with the message that it's harder to reach those goals if you are sick. The kids wrote anything from ' I want to be a tailor,' to 'I want to go to university in the United States.' They really seemed to enjoy the activity.
After the classes, I asked the teacher's aide for feedback. She told me that I spoke too much Malagasy and not enough English. Who knew that I would eventually feel more comfortable teaching a lesson in Malagasy than in English. Makes me realize how far I've come in the last year.
It was fun to teach for a day but the life of an education volunteer is very different from the life of a health volunteer with positives and negatives in both sectors. I've already established my schedule and projects, and am happy to work in the field that I'm in.
You know you're a PCV when
-Your phone carrier texts you more than anyone else making it your best friend.
-You add sakay (hot peppers) to everything you eat.
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