December 17, 2008
Today I had two interesting cultural experiences
I was present during the handing out of report cards at the Ecole Mixte Emmanuel (HATS school). The students, parents and teachers all gathered in the large classroom at the school. In front of everyone, the teachers called out the students' names one by one, from lowest to highest grades, told their results and made comments about their performance. There were comments like, "Well done." "Keep it up". So far so good. But there were also comments like "This student does not want to work at ALL!" "The parents need to help their child more with their homework". "This child is not living up to her potential." I was cringing inside while listening to it, but here, it's completely normal and no one even blinked an eye. The top 2 students in each grade received a small gift, from our cache of gifts that we brought from Canada.
This afternoon, I accompanied mom and one of the security guards on a run into St. Marc to visit the bank and get funds to pay the staff. We had to stop in Borel at a "fundraising blockade" put up by the Borel soccer team. They stop all passing vehicles and "ask" them for funds for their trip to Port-au-Prince to play a game tomorrow. We didn't have any money because we were on our way to the bank so were allowed through by promising to "donate" on our way back through. I told Mariah this might be an effective fundraising tool for her soccer team!
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4 comments:
Good Morning,
What a treat to get up to your "thoughts from Haiti". The last thing I did before I went to bed was to check to see if you had written. I was concerned because we had no email from either of you yesterday and thought maybe there was a computer problem or electricity problem. We were there for report cards last year and it was an eye opener! Karen had to tell us what they were saying. Love the photos by the canal...makes me long to get there.
Aunt Sandy
Liette
Good job on your reports. Makes one feel like you are in Haiti. We were at a Report Card Day as well. It would not fly in Canada. Enjoy your trip.
Uncle Dickie
Wow! I am so glad that they don't hand out report cards here like in Haiti. The poor kids that are on the lower end. Glad to hear you are doing well. Christy
Hi Liette we love to read your "thoughts from Haiti"....keep them coming. Wow report card day sounds interesting....Can you give Alexandre a squeeze for me???
Connie
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