The next day, we arrived to Poli Secondary School around 8 a.m. Poli is referred to as a "community school," which is known as a public school in the U.S. During the Changemaker dinner, I spoke to two teachers from St. Mary's Duluti School (private school) and two teachers from Poli Secondary School. Many conversations arose about the differences between a public and private school. The teachers from Poli Secondary spoke about the difficulties of having large classrooms in addition to having a lack of courses to offer students. As soon as we arrived, we took a tour of the classrooms as well as their kitchen (top right picture), where students are fed corn and beans for lunch.
As I walked into the classroom, I was greeted by 52 smiling faces which was 10 more students than the previous day in St. Mary's Duluti. Unlike the previous day, I was the only USD teacher candidate in the classroom, alongside the Tanzanian teacher. Again, I was greeted by the students standing up and saying, "welcome visitor." After introducing myself and explaining the CRSTP, emphasizing the importance of answering truthfully, without worrying about a right or wrong answer, the students broke into groups of 5-6 students. As I walked around, providing examples of questions they had a hard time understanding, I noticed a similar theme to St. Mary's Duluti students. Many students had a difficult time answering questions about their strengths. I made sure to provide examples that were not academic, such as, "I am good as dancing," "I am good at making people laugh," "I am good at loving people," or "I am good at reading." I found that students found this helpful and were able to broaden their thinking. This made me feel good.
Overall, I was more comfortable this day. I was more willing to tell jokes (although I am not sure if the students were laughing with me, or at me... Either way, I'll take it). Many of the students expressed interest in becoming engineers and lawyers. I was told that in order to achieve this goal, students must take a physics class, along with certain math courses. Unfortunately, Poli Secondary School, along with other schools in Tanzania, do not offer required classes due to lack of funding and teacher enrollment. Additionally, the students responses touched me the most. Although many students provided answers on the foundation of acquiring more money, I quickly recognized the greatest theme that I will carry and practice throughout my own life. The theme was grounded on the principle of helping the people around them. In the sake of help, love, community, and the overall betterment of the world. Here are some responses from various students of Poli Secondary School:
Q: What do you want to be when you grow up? Why? A: When I grow up I want to be an engineer. Because I like to make things that can help all people.
Q: What resources do you have to achieve this goal? A: Great teachers.
Q: What is your hobby? A: To make things that can help people.
Q: What do you want to be when you grow up? Why? A: A doctor, so I can save people.
Q: What do you want to be when you grow up? Why? A: A pilot. Because I want to fly and look over everyone and make sure they are OK.
Q: What do you want to be when you grow up? Why? A: A teacher. I want to teach people how to be kind.
Q: What do you want to be when you grow up? Why? A: An electric engineer so I can provide everyone in the community with light.
After the wonderful day, and what I thought was a good-bye, the teachers from Poli stated they'd be joining us on a hike to Meru Falls. I laughed because I thought it was a joke. Nope, they joined us! I was thrilled.
If there is one thing I absolutely love, (other than my family and animals) it is hikes. Meru Falls was beautiful. Abundantly green, covered with banana trees and trees with intertwined bushes rooted on rich soil.
Vinold (far left) and two amazing teachers from Poli Secondary School. Changemaking team from the U.S. made each educator a necklace.