Segundo, our co-teacher, said that we could do what we wanted as long as we got the planned worksheets done. It is amazing the amount of trust and respect Segundo gives Andrew and I over his first grade class. He thanked me for being there because he said it is allowing him to truly focus on his second grader's curriculum. Andrew and I had the children paint a drawing of a cat, dog and a chair. Each of these things was a different color. We taught the children these words in English along with the coordinating color. The students went to recess and were such a handful.
(The classroom after our painting adventures)
I think that it is a good thing that the children are testing their limits with us. They have a sense of familiarity with us. They are listening, but it is definitely a different type of educational structure and community. The students will just walk out of class before recess and go home or walk into the garden to play with the baby chicks or puppies in the yard. I have gotten used to the freedom the students have with their free time. I've learned to let go of the sense of time.
(The chickens and dogs eating next to our bus)
I have a group of students who follow me and Andrew around. Today they wanted to go on a walk. Our school is situated on the top of a hill that over looks the valley. A trail goes up the side of the mountain where we walked. There is a barbed wire fence that accompanies the path to keep the cows and sheep in the pasture. My students were walking along the fence and of course my first instinct was to tell them to get away from the fence for safety reasons. Of course they rolled their eyes and said BYEE. They were collecting the sheep's wool that was stuck to the fence. THAT'S NASTY. I had no idea what they were doing until later.
(The pasture behind the school)
(Students on our walk)
(The cornfield the students weren't allowed to go in)
We finished our walk and a few of the boys disappeared. The ones who stayed with me said that they went into the cornfield, where they knew they weren't allowed to go. It rained this morning so the ground was a giant mud puddle. I called their names but no one came out. The students literally gave me the peace sign and said BYYYEEEEE - which is something that we taught them in class today. MISTAKE. They just kept saying byyeeeee when they didn't want to listen. I finally found the other boys in the classroom gluing the sheep wool onto their pictures. Still gross BUT they were like Justin Justin Justin... help me.... umm no that's gross, but if you know me, you know that I glued that disgusting hair onto their pictures haha. We then listened to one of the professors give the students announcements about the week ahead.
(Do you see all the shade and sass???)
(The sheep wool covered pig picture)
(School announcements)
After class we had a great discussion with Cristian (a professor at the school) about Andean cosmology. He described the Andean way of life and their spiritual connections to the Earth. He described the role of Pacha Mama - The one over seeing everything; Space and time, Allpa Mama, or Mother Earth, and placed everything on a continuum. This was a way that connected us with the students and faculty on a deeper level.
(Cristian and his presentation)
(Information about Andean culture)
Rumi, the principal, lead a discussion about the community resources and view on life. Some people will live a life of Ser or "to be" or a life of tener "to have". He went through slides with pictures of all the different architectural styles of houses in the community. He said that the people in the community live a life of "being" and are happy with the things that they have available to them. Some people have simple houses and others modern, elegant houses.
Although these students have limited resources, they are always smiling and outgoing, similar to the adults and faculty. Everyone seems to be living a happy life. Rumi said that the reason is because people don't live a life of wanting more or a life founded around tener. They recognize that some individuals have more than others but they should never live a life of wanting more, or they will always be unhappy. If only more people in the states could live a life of Ser.
(Living the life of Ser - straight chillin in the school yard)
The people in Cahuazhun Grande live the Sumak Kawsay or beautiful life. They are happy, eager to engage with others, desire strong relationships and put family and friends above all else. The children at the school are helping me live the Sumak Kawsay.
(Best friends living the beautiful life)
(Carlos and Luis)
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