By the middle of December a house on a small dirt street in the town of Soddo is the home for quite a few Estonians. Eight all together. Some for a while already, some for less time, we are all trying to cope with the local way of life and to put in efforts towards the reason we are here – to promote the local education.
For two weeks I and Annika accompanied by other Estonians have been teaching children in Oxnard Youth Academy. On one hand the schooldays here are quite similar to ones I had when still going to school – the lessons start at 8:30, end at 15:10 each lesson lasts for forty minutes and there are seven lessons a day. On the other hand they are different from what I am used to – children gather and line up in the courtyard twenty minutes before the start of the first lesson to sing the national anthem. First three lessons are in a row without a break followed by one which lasts for twenty minutes, then again two lessons in row followed by the lunch break which lasts for one hour and fouty minutes. The schoolhouse doesn’t have a canteen. Majority of the children brings their lunch from home or goes there to eat. Unfortunately the poorest children do not have anything to bring nor to go home to and this is one of Damotas activities – providing lunch for the poorest children. After the lunch break there are two more lessons which mark the end of the school day.
The work in school takes place in English (except the classes for local languages). The size of the classes compared to governmental schools is very small – only twenty to thirty kids per class, some have even less. Starting a lesson is an adventure in itself – the whole class rises to their feet and as if from one mouth they say „Hello, teacher!”. After the teacher has responded with a „Hello” and „Please, sit down!” again as if from one mouth they say „Thank you, teacher!”
Annika is giving the Spoken English lesson and my task is to assist her and to substitute for her if necessary. In addition all the classes have few free lessons in their curriculum, which the volunteer fill up by doing differnt recreational activities with the children. On the first week we introduced ourselves to the kids and let them introduce themselves to us, spoke a little about Estonia and did some drawing and colouring. This week we have been teaching songs and singing, accompanied by some instruments. Since the kids have never probably seen such instruments like the clarinet or the melodica before, it is especially interesting for them. These lessons have been especially full of feeling.
The children have accepted us well and when I am walking towards the school the shouts „Hello, Lisanna, Welcome, Lisanna” can be well heard. Feels homely
LISANNA
