Trainee Visit

Eight of the fifteen Youth Development trainees visited me this week to talk about my work, see my site, and teach at one of my schools. Previously I gave two workshops to all of the trainees about the curriculum and classroom management, but seeing a volunteer’s work first-hand and actually teaching the classes is the best learning experience.


First the trainees visited my house (or more accurately: my room). Some of them were blog readers who knew about Paloma, and they asked her to model her royal wedding dress (Paloma did, and with dignity and patience I might add). I talked about the planning process of theater camp, and how to do year-long curriculum planning. I also answered their more practical living questions, like where to get a bedspread or a water filter.


When it came time to teach, the unfortunate trainees encountered worst-case scenario conditions. It was overcast and dark, and since the school has no electricity the students could not see the trainees’ posters or notes on the board. The pouring rain fell through the holes in the roof, creating huge and slippery puddles. The pounding rain also made it impossible to hear anything, and the incessant honking of the buses across the plaza didn’t help. The goal of these training activities was to build the confidence of the trainees, and after surviving three tough hours I told them, “If you can do this, you can do anything!”









I enjoyed getting to know the trainees during my few days with them. In less than a month I’ll find out which one of them is going to take over my work here!