School in Swaziland
In this update, I want you to learn a little about Swazi schools. As you know, Jane and I are going to Entfubeni Primary School twice a week. This school is composed of 480 students and 14 teachers, including the Head Master and Deputy (like principal and vice principal). Each class has anywhere from 35 to 75 students in it. Entfubeni holds grades 1-7. Each morning the students gather around 7:50am outside in front of one of the buildings.
Monday mornings are a bit different as each student brings a big stick or piece of wood to school. At first, I thought this was for some kind of science project until I learned that it was for the kitchen. Yes, the students are required to bring the firewood for cooking the food in the big cast iron, three legged pots. So on this day there are stacks and rows of wood near the entrance gate of the school. So they gather together, and the teachers rotate being the MC (master of ceremonies). They call upon different grades to lead choruses. Then a student will chime up and begin to sing, soon followed by the rest of the students. They sing beautifully in parts complete with hand motions and everything. The songs that they sing are Christian songs. All public schools have religious classes and sing Christian songs, which is why I can speak freely in all of the schools about Jesus. Next, there is time for announcements. The MC teacher then says that it is time to pray. Each and every student closes their eyes tightly and folds their arms across there chest. She/he tells them what prayer to recite and all 480 students pray to our Father. I have heard them recite Psalm 23 and "The Lord's Prayer", but my very favorite are the singing prayers. Yep, they sing prayers. I just know it has to give the Father goose bumps; it is so amazingly wonderful! I wish you could witness it. They sing asking the Lord to stay with them throughout their day. That is one moment that I could relish in again and again.
Finally, it is time to head to their respective classes. The MC calls them to go grade by grade. During this time, there is an inspection. The teachers, who are lined up before the student assembly, watch each one go by. They check if they are in proper uniform dress, if their uniforms are clean and ironed, and if their hair is combed. Mind you, some of the students do not even have shoes while others have old torn uniforms; they do not get in trouble for being poor. But those who fail in the other areas are sent to wait by the side of the building. After everyone else has gone to class, these are reprimanded, and a teacher swats them on their rear with a switch. The students do not complain, flinch, or tear up, they simply walk on to their classes knowing the next day they will comb their hair or wash their clothes.
Jane and I walk into the first class. Every student stands to their feet and says slowly and articulately, "Good morning, teachers." We say, "Good morning. How are you?" They all reply in unison, "We are fine. How are you?" It is so sweet. Then they sit down after we tell them to. The amount of respect these students show is incredible! Nothing like I have ever seen in any class I have taught in the states. So then we teach. When they are asked a question, hands go up. When they are called on, they stand to their feet to answer. Of course, sometimes the little ones are shy and afraid to stand, speak up, or look forward. But they are always respectful. We finish teaching, and the teacher says thank you then motions to the class. They shout together this little tune, "Thank you (clap clap clap), very much (clap clap clap), keep it (clap clap clap), up!!" Again, precious. It never fails to bring a grin across my face.
In the middle of their day, around 10:30am, the students break for an hour lunch. They gather their plastic plates from their desks and head to the kitchen out back. They get in lines to receive their rice, then in another for the bean soup, and on their way to find a place to eat, they grab a slice of cooked pumpkin from a bucket. The school has their own garden on the grounds, like most schools, and they teach agriculture even at primary level. The students also have to go to the nearby river to get water because they will wash their own plates after they eat. Students sit in the grass, under the trees, beside the buildings, and on little stick make-shift benches. They enjoy their lunch, not all schools give the students lunch. After more classes, they will return home around 1:00pm. But not before they clean the classrooms and the grounds. The grades will rotate doing this chore. Many students walk up to 3 kilometers to get to school. And this is on a hilly, dirt round, or some have short cuts through the mountains.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THESE STUDENTS AS THEY ARE WALKING SUCH DISTANCES ALONE. PRAY FOR THEIR SAFETY AND PROTECTION. MANY ARE BEING ABUSED.
The class I teach about abuse is always the saddest because I know chances are and statistics confirm that there are students in each class that are being abused. One little boy in grade 5 asked me what he should do when a man comes to his room at night and, "holds him" so that he cannot escape. I do not know if this really happens to the boy or not. These kids are so young and many times cannot run from someone stronger than them. Sometimes, even when they tell someone it will do no good because nothing will be done. PRAY FOR THE SWAZI CHILDREN and that the government would create effective ways to protect their children, that laws would be created to punish these abusers. Thank you for your faithful prayers. Please continue to remember the YOUTH LEADERS, that they would be wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord and passionately lead their youth group to actively serving HIM. Pray that they'd not fall into temptation. I also ask you to pray for me. PRAY THAT I WOULD BE WILLING AND READY ALWAYS, pray that I would not become discouraged, but always be obedient to His commands. Pray that I will be able to let go of my desires and surrender to my Lord...even when it hurts.
"This is what the LORD says-- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 'I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.'" (Isaiah 48:17)
"A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?" (Prov 20:24)
May you truly know the meaning of "abundant life", "fullness of joy", and "perfect peace" (Jn 10:10, Ps 16:11, Is 26:3)-