PROJECTS!

So now that I have been at my school for a term, I have assessed the schools needs/ wants, and I have started compiling a list of all the stuff I want to get done in the next 2 years. Here is that list in summary!

• Chemistry Lab... While I have cleaned out all the bat poop and piles of dirt, there are still holes in the ceiling, floor, and walls of my lab. And because of these holes, it rains in the lab during the rainy season. Thus, the lab is dark and dank. Also, there is no electricity, and the natural light is not sufficient (even despite the gaping 5ft hole in the ceiling). The answer to this issue: apply for grants and keep my fingers crossed.
  
  
• ICT Lab... An assemblyman from the district donated four nice, new desktop computers to the school to start up an ICT lab. However, the room which is destined to become the ICT lacks proper floors/ windows/ ceiling/ ventilation, electricity, tables on which to put the computers, and chairs on which to put the students. The answer to this issue: apply for grants and keep my fingers crossed.
  
  
• Excursions (Field Trips)... This is more of a fun goal, than a serious development goal. The school has a nice new bus, which was donated by the government. The students really want to make use of it, and who can blame them! But what teacher wants to organize and chaperone 30 high school teenagers? ME! So this term I'm going to start planning some field trips for the kiddzos.
  
  
• School Farm... MASS stands for Menji Agricultural Secondary School. So where's all the agriculture? The students don't have a practical component to their agric. education, which I see as absolutely unacceptable! For the garden, I only need to obtain some type of fencing to keep roving packs of goats from munching the seedlings. The community members have offered to provide seeds and tubers to get the plants going, so that part is taken care of. For the animals, I want to have chicken coop full of layers, which can provide extra moneys and eggs for the school. And eventually I want to also have some basic livestock like a goats, a grasscutters, and maybe even a pair of moo-moo's!
  
  
• A Volleyball Team.... This part of the plan is already on it's feet as we're out there every day after school. However, this plan will truly blossom, when Scott and Carolyn Mooney come visit. They are hoping to provide jerseys, balls, and a new net. I also plan to arrange 2-day weekend instructional clinics for the students at my school, and the surrounding schools.
  
  
• A Science Fair... I always wanted to be in a science fair, but since none of my schools had one when I was younger, I figure the next best thing is to organize one. Plus the kids can do all sorts of cool stuff. Like catch lizards and talk about ecology or whatever!
  
  
• Science Camp... This is really nerdy, but I am totally serious. I want to put on an intensive week-long science camp during a term break at some point during my stay here at MASS. It will be for students who are particularly interested in the sciences - biology, chemistry, physics - and want more exposure. I could collaborate with other Peace Corps teachers to come up with an appropriate location (ie. a school where there aren't bats in the desks and holes in the ceilings). Then, we could apply for funding to pay for the room/board, laboratory supplies, t-shirts, travel costs, and whatever. Seriously, an overnight science camp... Now, again, I know I am a nerd, but I would have LOVED such a thing when I was in high school!!
  
  
• A Girl's Club... Now this project is already starting, and I did not initiate it, I am merely a mentor and adviser. The girl who is starting it is the girl who helps around my house, Adilla. She has all sorts of neat ideas. At each weekly or maybe bi-monthly meetings, she wants to discuss some female-related topic. Some weeks, we will be serious and some weeks, we will just have fun. For example, the topic might be sexual health, sewing, dancing, dressing properly, jewelry-making, manners, cooking, exercise, nutrition, etc. She wants to also include activities like pop culture quizzes and movie night!  
  
  Woot Woot!  I am really excited about all of this.. Wish me luck!! :)