FAQ
There are some frequently asked questions and some things I have not told about yet, so below you might find some answers and if you have questions, please post them in the comments - I would be more than happy to answer them!
Where are you?
I am in Mozambique, Tete province, Chiuta district, near village Manje. At the Escola de Professores do Futuro Tete, or in English - teachers training college.
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Students' dormitories at EPF Tete
What are you doing there?
I don’t know :-) I, kind of, like this place. Talking seriously, I am here to work. And supposedly – to make development. What will be the result, we will know only after 6 months, for now I have been here (in EPF Tete) only for a week, and we have just decided in the teachers council meeting (yes, here I am not a volunteer anymore, I am - senhora professora :-) and together with Vimalo, my colleague from Germany, we are members of the teachers council) what can we do and what could be our areas of responsibility. For now, I have been arranging school's library. Here I must explain, that until now there was no library at all, but recently we have received a donation of six boxes of various school books from Portuguese, so now it is possible to start arranging first library. I am also helping to teach English to the students of the college, as now they are already in the second year of their studies and some of them have specialization in English (they will teach English to children in rural areas of Mozambique). For example, one day we had written exams and some of the teachers were supervising that students don't cheat during exam and in the evening I was helping students to prepare for the oral English exam.
Some of the students of EPF
In the coming months, while I am still trying to break through with my Portuguese skills, I will help two of the other teachers in teaching visual art and crafts, also be responsible for the health of the students and teachers in EPF. But there is a lot more to do and it is possible to see already now, what can be done once my Portuguese knowledge is better (but I must say, that already after a week of being here, I am progressing a lot, because there is no other way, but to speak the language and force yourself to understand).
How is the weather?
Oh, weather is fine. It is getting hotter and hotter. But we are still lucky here, because in general Tete province and Tete city are considered to be the hottest places in Mozambique with the temperature reaching up to 50 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile we are a little bit into the mountains so it should not get hotter than 27-30. It is winter time here now, so it is rather cold during the night. For example, just a week ago it was so cold here, that I had to put all my warm clothes I have brought with me.
What are the surroundings?
We are surrounded by mountains (one day for sure we will climb them!)
The closest biggest city is Tete (approximately 100 km from here on a quite good road). The closest town (please, don't imagine European cute town with little farmers houses and flower pots on every corner!) is Manje (approximately 1-2 km from EPF). It would be more appropriate to call it a village. There is one primary school, one secondary school, market, policeman, hospital, football field and church. There is also a smaller village (aldeia), we call it - community. Machezo. With cute straw houses, small piggies running around, and a lot of children with curious looks.
This community is also known because of the primary school (escolinha) that was built by a volunteer from Portugal, Edgar Barata.
Visiting the community Machezo. Vimalo, Julio and me.
Are you going to travel in Africa?
No, I am not. I am here to work. It is not a holiday, though it may seem so. Africa is a place which need our help greatly. Not the blind donations of money and things, but our time, knowledge and energy!
I am in Mozambique, Tete province, Chiuta district, near village Manje. At the Escola de Professores do Futuro Tete, or in English - teachers training college.
View Larger Map
Students' dormitories at EPF TeteWhat are you doing there?
I don’t know :-) I, kind of, like this place. Talking seriously, I am here to work. And supposedly – to make development. What will be the result, we will know only after 6 months, for now I have been here (in EPF Tete) only for a week, and we have just decided in the teachers council meeting (yes, here I am not a volunteer anymore, I am - senhora professora :-) and together with Vimalo, my colleague from Germany, we are members of the teachers council) what can we do and what could be our areas of responsibility. For now, I have been arranging school's library. Here I must explain, that until now there was no library at all, but recently we have received a donation of six boxes of various school books from Portuguese, so now it is possible to start arranging first library. I am also helping to teach English to the students of the college, as now they are already in the second year of their studies and some of them have specialization in English (they will teach English to children in rural areas of Mozambique). For example, one day we had written exams and some of the teachers were supervising that students don't cheat during exam and in the evening I was helping students to prepare for the oral English exam.
Some of the students of EPFIn the coming months, while I am still trying to break through with my Portuguese skills, I will help two of the other teachers in teaching visual art and crafts, also be responsible for the health of the students and teachers in EPF. But there is a lot more to do and it is possible to see already now, what can be done once my Portuguese knowledge is better (but I must say, that already after a week of being here, I am progressing a lot, because there is no other way, but to speak the language and force yourself to understand).
How is the weather?
Oh, weather is fine. It is getting hotter and hotter. But we are still lucky here, because in general Tete province and Tete city are considered to be the hottest places in Mozambique with the temperature reaching up to 50 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile we are a little bit into the mountains so it should not get hotter than 27-30. It is winter time here now, so it is rather cold during the night. For example, just a week ago it was so cold here, that I had to put all my warm clothes I have brought with me.
What are the surroundings?
We are surrounded by mountains (one day for sure we will climb them!)
The closest biggest city is Tete (approximately 100 km from here on a quite good road). The closest town (please, don't imagine European cute town with little farmers houses and flower pots on every corner!) is Manje (approximately 1-2 km from EPF). It would be more appropriate to call it a village. There is one primary school, one secondary school, market, policeman, hospital, football field and church. There is also a smaller village (aldeia), we call it - community. Machezo. With cute straw houses, small piggies running around, and a lot of children with curious looks.
This community is also known because of the primary school (escolinha) that was built by a volunteer from Portugal, Edgar Barata.
Visiting the community Machezo. Vimalo, Julio and me.Are you going to travel in Africa?
No, I am not. I am here to work. It is not a holiday, though it may seem so. Africa is a place which need our help greatly. Not the blind donations of money and things, but our time, knowledge and energy!
Comments
##### i still think, our support can be bigger through working what we know best and than sharing part of our earnings with local people or volunteers (i mean B. Gates or M. Jordan i wouldn't like to see working with kids in Africa for long time)
Of course, to see a little from inside is worth and must, because we lack of understanding.
Anyway this blog helps :)