On the 17th day of the ninth month in the year 2001 of the Ethiopia calendar, Memorial Day.
This morning we rose early and enjoyed our breakfast of French Toast, bread and marmalade, coffee, tea and mango juice. The Brothers picked us up at 8:00 to visit Saint Joseph's Academy for the day. Traffic was incredible, which greatly delayed our arrival.
St. Joseph's is nearly fifty years old and is arguably one of the best, if not the best school in Ethiopia. It educates 1500 boys from 1st to 12th grades. Our host, Mr. Demisse, the principal explained that St. Joseph was highest scoring school in the national exam for the last 2 years and that maybe one boy in the last 10 years has failed to qualify for the university. It is an impressive institution.
Yearly students are accepted in major U.S. Universities: read Harvard. The education is rigorous and academically elite. Two classes of 50 students each are accepted into 1st grade every year. Three-hundred and fifty apply and only the most academically promising are allowed to start the program. The education is in Amharic, the national language. At the end of sixth grade, the students are tested, those who don't make the cut are asked to leave. For seventh grade another class of 50 students is added, the students are who are invited are the top scorers from the public schools. If they can't afford the tuition, they are given scholarships. This academic culling occurs every other year. So the incentive to succeed is great. Also, at seventh grade the language of instruction changes to English. If the test results at the end of the 10th grade are not adequate that is the end of formal education in Ethiopia. The students also declare a "major" of either arts or science.
The math and science curriculum is really emphasized beginning in grade 7. Every year they take Biology, Chemistry and Physics…so by the time they graduate they have had 6 years of each subject.
The students remain in their own classroom all day and the teachers rotate in and out. And the teachers all wear white doctor-like smocks. There were 48 to 50 students in every classroom we visited. The 10th and 12th graders were gone, studying for their exams which begin next week, so we visited English, math, physics and chemistry classes for 9th and 11th graders. Our students were very impressed that they were studying Robert Frost's "The Mending Wall". I can't imagine analyzing poetry in what is their second (or perhaps third) language. Their English was excellent and everyone was so hospitable, even before they found out why we were here! As the day progressed it even became more evident what an academic powerhouse this school was. During the classes, the teacher spent most of the time lecturing, and the boys took some notes, but really hung on every word the teacher said. There were no text books to be seen, although one of the teachers said they do have them, but that is what they do for homework.
After tea, a fine tradition, we met for a discussion with about 60 or so students selected from the various classes. It was a very interesting and really heartwarming exchange. Our students were excellent. The first part of the discussion focused on our educational system, brought about by a question from one of the Ethiopian boys on the depiction of the American educational system in the movies (their only point of reference). They asked us if we knew anything about Ethiopia, someone said yes, and the we proved we know nothing…not the name of the president nor the prime minister. They are intensely proud of their 3000 year history and point out that they are mentioned in the Bible. They knew more about the United States (including the naming of all the states) than most of us. Most of the boys admitted to studying about three hours every night. They do not have religion as a subject in school, the state mandates the study of ethics, so they were very interested in our theology classes. The discussion then moved to the difficulties Ethiopian students encounter when studying in the U.S., mainly drugs and alcohol. The discussion ended when one of their students asked our students to sing our national anthem, to which they acquiesced. And in return they sang the national anthem of Ethiopia. It was a fitting end to the academic end.
I am not sure who challenged whom, but we then had a game of basketball. Since their varsity was home studying for the national exam I am not sure about our 48-21 defeat. Mr. Dols blamed our defeat on the refs, jokingly; Mr. Shumaker blamed the concrete court, the high altitude, the intense sun, the fact we were not a real team…and well, you get the picture. It was high entertainment and all in good fun. Several hundred students watched and applauded every shot from both teams. When the game was over everyone players and audience alike lined up to shake hands. It was wonderful sportsmanship.
St. Joseph's is about 95% Christian. Over 80% of the students are Orthodox. Although even here tuition is raising next year, for elementary is it about 1800 bir a year, which is approximately $180. For secondary next year tuition will be about 2800 bir…or $280. Mr. Demisse said that $1750 pays for 4 years of education including uniforms and transportation costs. The boys wear grey pants, white shirts and blue sweaters. There basketball uniforms, however, are green and gold.
We returned to the guest house and after showering and a break we processed our day for about 1 ½ hours. It proved to be an excellent exchange on the spirit of welcome and hospitality we have received, but also our responsibility to the poor. Driving to St. Josephs there were a number of people asking for money. It is pretty tough not to give a mother and her 5 month old baby something. The level of poverty, though I am sure we haven't seen the worst, is very disturbing. It calls us to reflect and appreciate all that we have and how to be responsible stewards of that which we are entrusted. That discussion will surely continue for the rest of the trip.
A dinner of soup, rice, beef (I think), boiled potatoes and spinach followed. Everyone ate well since our last meal was at tea-time and that consisted of bread, cheese and fruit.
After dinner we divided the gifts and supplies we had brought for the various schools, pulling out some things for the two orphanages we will be visiting. This was followed by Mass at 8:00 pm. We met one of the resident priests on our way into the house in the afternoon and he generously offered to say Mass for us whenever we like. He was very nice, welcoming and just a kind and generous spirit. He commented that is doesn't really matter what time of day we encounter Jesus in the liturgy, it is the fact that we want to that is most important. He wore all white with a fabulous embroidered stole. He kept his head covered for the whole mass. After mass he explained that it was really a tradition borrowed from the Eastern rites, a celibate priest wears the head covering, while the married priests do not. He wears a black version during the day, but the tradition is to wear white during Mass since every Mass celebrates the resurrection. He explained that at one time, they ever wore them to bed. We are learning much.
Everyone was pretty much ready to go to bed as Mass ended. It was a long day. Tomorrow will be the same.
Hotmail® goes with you. Get it on your BlackBerry or iPhone.
No comments:
Post a Comment