Let There Be Light!

November 10, 2013

I wired up my first light today. It’s in my main room. One light, one switch, plugged into my solar battery. I’m planning to wire another up in my bedroom soon, but I need to buy some more wire first. Here are some pictures

The first switch. I didn’t knock that nail all the way in because the bedroom light will piggyback off of it.

Here’s the light up on a rafter. I also have an LED one. Not sure which will be better for the bedroom and which will be better out here.

A bunch of wires coming from the battery. Solar panel, inverter, voltmeter, and now the light.

Classroom Atmosphere

November 10, 2013

This week was the first week of national testing for the Form IV students and the school’s attention has turned, appropriately, to this fact. If they do not pass this test, they cannot go on to advanced level secondary school, and then to university.

The Form II students have already ended their year after their national exam last month and the Form IV students will join them after this week, so the Form I and Form III students are the only ones still in the classroom.

With the school’s population diminishing, the atmosphere at the school is becoming increasingly relaxed. This shift has made it more difficult to move forward in the curriculum, but it has made it easier to get through to the students on a more personal level. I am still figuring out how to create a friendly, yet focused learning environment. The Form III students, with better English than the Form I’s, have been able to understand my jokes and respond well to some prodding. But just this week, either because of my improving Swahili or the impending end of the year, the brick wall of staring Form I faces has started to acquire some smiles, some laughs, and some much needed interaction. Interaction that I am trying (somewhat successfully) to direct towards learning. Interaction that I feel is creating a safe and friendly environment. Currently my theory is that if I am viewed as a respected, strict but friendly teacher, I can both gain interest from the students and maintain high expectations. Because who wants to let down a friend, right? We will see how that goes. This week seemed to go well, but the real test will be the final exams the week after next.

Here’s a picture of one of my Form I classes.

Eat Like Me [Breakfast]

October 30, 2013

Here’s a breakfast recipe that I’ve come up with. It’s a variation on pancakes with a little extra protein. I cook these every night before the coals die down.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups flour

½ tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 Tbsp cinnamon

¼ cup peanuts

½ cup water

Note: all the measurements are rough. I have never actually measured them but I think that’s about what it works out to.

INSTRUCTIONS

Throw the flour and sugar and baking powder and salt and cinnamon into some kind of bowl. Mine has pink flowers on it and it works well. If you can find one with pink flowers, that might be good. Mix all that up pretty good. Add the water. You’re not dumb. We’re making pancakes here. Make it look like pancake batter.

Add the peanuts. Mix it all up and put a little in a hot pan… ok this is stupid. Look in your cookbook for “pancakes” and keep going like that.

If you really want to eat like me, cook them after dinner and put them in a Tupperware and wait til morning to eat them…cold…with a cup of tea or coffee.

Boom. You might as well be in Tanzania!

Happy cooking.