Life in Ogoki
There is so much to do in a new classroom, and I am trying to figure out what they have been doing, what they can do, etc. Even when I am not here I am always thinking about school!
There are quite a few problems in this community. It almost seems as if we are at the end of the line here where the outside world has forgotten that this place exists. The water has been undrinkable since early summer, and you are supposed to boil it, but there are many people who say not to drink it. I have been very lucky because I live in the same building as the two police officers and they have both been kind enough to share the bottled water they are supplied with. It won't last long though and I am very concerned about that. We have bottled water at the school but the teachers are not allowed to drink it; it is only for the children.
We did not get paid on Monday and no one knows when we will be paid. The director and the other higher ups say things to pacify us, we were given cheques, but then informed that there is no money in the bank.
A lot of the kids choose not to come to school, even as young as kindergarten! Their parents don't care and all children stay out in the pitch black until the wee hours of the morning. One of the teachers asked a grade three girl yesterday why she stayed up so late, wasn't there anyone to tell her it was time to go to bed, to which she replied. "no, we can do whatever we want".
On the weekend one of the older men in the community got abusive with Mike and Sue, two of the teachers. He was yelling and swearing at them telling them they should not be here and to go home. Many things have been stolen from the school, including my eraseable markers, halloween candy, and ziplock bags (all bought by me), and a story book.
In spite of all this, I am in pretty good spirits, I know I can teach the kids some things, and make a bit of a difference in their lives. It will not be an easy road to travel.
I am a somewhat angry that I was not told about the water situation, as this is a vital thing to someone who drinks 3-4 litres a day. Also, my apartment was not ready, and from what the others are telling me, it can cost around 600 dollars to bring in a few weeks of groceries because of the raised prices and shipping. They come from a town 65 kms from the airport in Nakina, which is where you fly into Ogoki from. The director was not straight up with me about a lot of things.
We are having a staff meeting today, so I imagine many of these concerns will be brought up. I don't have a tv, telephone, or internet, so it should be a good show!
There are quite a few problems in this community. It almost seems as if we are at the end of the line here where the outside world has forgotten that this place exists. The water has been undrinkable since early summer, and you are supposed to boil it, but there are many people who say not to drink it. I have been very lucky because I live in the same building as the two police officers and they have both been kind enough to share the bottled water they are supplied with. It won't last long though and I am very concerned about that. We have bottled water at the school but the teachers are not allowed to drink it; it is only for the children.
We did not get paid on Monday and no one knows when we will be paid. The director and the other higher ups say things to pacify us, we were given cheques, but then informed that there is no money in the bank.
A lot of the kids choose not to come to school, even as young as kindergarten! Their parents don't care and all children stay out in the pitch black until the wee hours of the morning. One of the teachers asked a grade three girl yesterday why she stayed up so late, wasn't there anyone to tell her it was time to go to bed, to which she replied. "no, we can do whatever we want".
On the weekend one of the older men in the community got abusive with Mike and Sue, two of the teachers. He was yelling and swearing at them telling them they should not be here and to go home. Many things have been stolen from the school, including my eraseable markers, halloween candy, and ziplock bags (all bought by me), and a story book.
In spite of all this, I am in pretty good spirits, I know I can teach the kids some things, and make a bit of a difference in their lives. It will not be an easy road to travel.
I am a somewhat angry that I was not told about the water situation, as this is a vital thing to someone who drinks 3-4 litres a day. Also, my apartment was not ready, and from what the others are telling me, it can cost around 600 dollars to bring in a few weeks of groceries because of the raised prices and shipping. They come from a town 65 kms from the airport in Nakina, which is where you fly into Ogoki from. The director was not straight up with me about a lot of things.
We are having a staff meeting today, so I imagine many of these concerns will be brought up. I don't have a tv, telephone, or internet, so it should be a good show!
posted by Nancy at
8:10 PM
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6 comments
