Stories that will bring a smile to your face

1. There is a stray dog that is always on the compound of school, the kids have taken to calling him “Chico.” Well, yesterday as Katie and I, along with some other volunteers, were walking out of school Chico came running up behind Katie and tried, unsuccessfully, to bite her bum. I was behind her and stared half in horror and half in amusement as this dog was jumping and playfully trying to bite anything its mouth came in contact with. I nearly fell over with laughter once I realized that she was not harmed.   
2. A couple weeks ago we were walking with Joana, a six year old little girl who is quite close with us volunteers. We were singing the ABC’s together.  You know the little saying at the end, “now, I know my ABC’s, next time won’t you sing with me?” Well, apparently the kids here don’t know that version, instead they sing: “teacher, teacher, no lash me, now I know my ABC’s.”  I was at first struck with the hilarity of it and then I shuddered at the improper grammar.
3. Katie and I were walking to lunch and as is usual, Katie was talking a mile a minute, giving me the morning update and I was nodding my head and listening intently. And then she bit it. All the way down. Before I could help her, laughter was bursting through my mouth and she was frantically grabbing my arm to get back up. Oh, and this was during lunch so about half the school saw. 
4.     The kids have decided that Mr. Joe and I are irrevocably and hopelessly in love with each other. Mr. Joe teaches math and I teach religion, a likely match indeed. Consequently, every time I misspell a word or mess something up they scream “ayyyy! You’re in love with Mr. Joe!” I am just too distracted to teach. It’s quite tragic though, volunteers aren’t allowed to date each other.

Melvin!

A lot of people ask me why I am spending two years of my life in a foreign country teaching high school students.  In reality it is a legitimate question, but to me it just sounds silly.  There are many reasons, but as I start to digest the question, I find that a large part of my answer has to do with the kids. I love them! Don’t get me wrong, there are some days when I walk out of class wanting to run away and never hear the word “Miss” again. But at the end of the day I am so grateful for these little beings that God has created.

Which brings me to the point of this blog, Katie and I are starting student profiles! We want to share how awesome our kids are, so every once and a while we will pick a new student and profile about them.  (The kids have been informed of this, they are undoubtedly excited)

This week’s student: Melvin

Nickname: Mini

Form/Grade: 3^rd/ 11^th

Favorite Sport: Basketball

Favorite Subject: Math!

A word from the teachers: Melvin is one of those students that never cease to make me laugh. He always has something comical to say and is a joy to most people who know him. This year Melvin has impressed me beyond anything I can express. I taught Melvin last year and the boy has done a 360. Last year Melvin frequented the front office more than he would like to admit and while he was a headache he also brought a lot of joy and vibrancy to the classroom. I would rack my brain over ways to keep the boy in his seat, and just to get him to learn, oy vey. But this year, I am not so sure it’s the same boy. He sits in his seat quietly all day, when the list of the naughty kids is on the board, his name is never on it. He pays attention and does his work, never making a comment out of turn. I’ll just say this: Melvin is proof that students do change! I am so proud of him, his transformation is quite impressive, he even won student of the month for September! 

Pictured above is (left to right) Christopher, Melvin, and Nasser.