Postcard Project Update

Current Count:

25 postcards

8 Different Countries

8 Different States

Countless postcards in the mail and yet to come

Postcards

Ranging from Alaska to Florida and Cambodia to Barbados, the postcards span the globe and broaden my students’ minds.

The last class of each week is the designated ‘Postcard Class’. As I enter the class students are eager to get a glimpse of any new postcards. Without fail, we go through the same conversation every time.

“Teacher Thomas! Teacher Thomas! Do we have a postcard this week?”

“Well let me see.” (as I search through my bag)

“Well class… Looks like we do.” (as I whip the postcard out of the bag for all to see and hold it high)

The cheers roar as the curiosity continues. After a few instructions, they divide up in their groups ready to receive their card. A representative from each group is nominated to come choose a postcard from the table of postcards in the front; the pressure is on to choose a great one.

Each person gleefully brings the postcard back, and all sit around gawking at the picture.

“Okay class, let me know if you have any questions about the words.”

A sea of bobbling of heads is seen just before the focus is immediately returned to the postcard. I begin to make my rounds checking on the class – making sure they understand everything and answering any questions they may have. To a passerby, it may look like a class of dysfunction and mutiny with students talking and phones out. However, the conversation is absorbed in the note and phones relieve the waiting period to translate the unrecognized words; any translation brings a new aspect to the card and a since of discovery that is untapped in their daily lives.

As the discovery continues, they are required to write unrecognized words on the board. The class jots the new vocabulary in their notebook here and there before the presentations.

After all the groups have finished cyphering through their letters, each group nominates a spokesperson. The spokesperson, always proud to be chosen and represent the card, struts to the front of the room and reads the card to the class. We go around till all cards have been represented. Then comes the big reveal: location on the map.

One thing you must first understand is the lack of geographical understanding amongst the students in Mozambique. Often I have been asked how many hours it would take to drive to the United States. Just showing them a map for the first time led to an entire class being taken up by questions.

In Awe of the Map

We gather around the map that I post in the front of the classroom*. Every time we review where Mozambique is on the map for reference; fortunately, most of them understand where it is now. Then, we begin to place the postcards on the map in the order in which the groups read. After every postcard there is a mummer of “wow”. The students remain in awe when I go into a little more detail about every place and what is required to get there.

As we finish up, there are always students that stay behind to gaze at the postcards and ask more about each place. Their curious minds cannot be satisfied with my limited knowledge of the areas; nonetheless they are still practicing their English. However, it doesn’t stop in the classroom.

People flood my yard and veranda on a daily basis looking to practice English. These postcards offer an outlet for some of these community members. It unlocks a new world every time they glance upon a new one.

Reading Practice

Some of the superlatives of the cards so far (as elected by the students):

Favorite stamp:

Barbados

Favorite picture:

Cambodia

Some of the superlatives of the cards so far (as elected by me):

Favorite stamp:

Cambodia

Favorite picture:

Vietnam

Cutest passage:

Alaska

Closing Note: If you are interested in finding out more information on the Postcard Project or how you can contribute, go to the Postcard Project tab on the top menu or click here. Thank you for helping out and look forward to hearing for you if we haven’t already.

 

*Update on the map: The map in front of the classroom is temporary for now. I have spoken with the director of the school about the project, and he is thrilled. Right now we are still working through the Mozambican education hierarchy for permission and funding to paint a mural of the globe on one of the sides of the classroom. Once the mural is painted, we will all go outside to see where the countries are on a larger scale.

Mountain Climbing in Milange

Sitting at the foothills of the mountains, I stare at upward everyday in awe. “I will conquer you one day,” I tell the mountains as I look upward. The opportunity was always there, but it was a matter of committing and finding people to go with. My neighbors rejected my suggestion to go up the mountains because of all of the local legends: “leopards line the mountains”, “the hills are cursed”, and my personal favorite “gnomes live at the top of the mountain and kill people”.

Mountain in Town

Apparently not everyone is terrified. A local missionary had rallied a group of boys in the community to hike up the mountain and stay the night. Unbeknownst to him, he filled my dream to climb the mountain when he asked me to accompany them on the trek. Little did I know what was laid before me.

15:00 rolled around, and we drove up to the highest point that we could reach; smiles and eagerness spread across our face. We were ready. Ready for the unknown. Ready for the hike. Ready for the memories that lay in front of us.

Before the Journey

Gardens, flowerbeds, and houses pass as we journeyed into the jungle. The path tapered off as we entered areas of grass reaching beyond our heads. Knowing the only way was upward, João, one of the youths, led us onward. Having never been hiking before, he did not understand the significance of switchbacks, so we carved a straight path up the mountain.

Having done some backpacking and hiking back in the States, I would look up the mountain and see the path cutting up the mountains with switchbacks. “Wouldn’t it be easier to just climb straight up?” I always thought to myself.

Flashback to the hike and the answer becomes abundantly clear. No. Climbing straight up a mountain makes the experience exponentially more difficult. After being out of breath and only an hour into the hike, we turned around, collapsed, and appreciated the town behind us. After looking off into the horizon, we looked down at ourselves. Cuts, dirt, and sweat lined our body after our exploration into the jungle. After fighting through weeds, stumps, and vines along the way, our bodies had taken a beating, but there was plenty more in us.

Kobus, the youth leader, led out the cry of a new song, and we knew it was time to journey on. A new leader popped up willing to lead the charge further up the mountain. He whipped out a dull, rusty kitchen knife that he claimed will be able to cut through the vines and create a path perfect for the group. After five minutes into the bush, the knife was abandoned due to false advertisement. Nonetheless we carried on; through rock climbing, bouldering, and rock scrambling, we attacked the mountain. As the sun began to seek cover behind our desired peak, we waited for the moonlight to show its face.

Laughter, chatter, and selfies filled the air we waited for the moonlight to be our guiding force. Fortunately for us, the moon did not disappoint and was as full as ever.

Moonlight Selfie

Hiking by moonlight was a new rush; we didn’t know where our foot was going to land. After four more hours of hiking, we escaped the vines and thorns. A new grassland laid upon us and we could finally see the summit. Delighted and defeated, the missionaries were ready to set up camp; however, the Mozambicans would not quit until they summited, so we continued on.

An hour later, we had made it. Of course similar to any other other type of celebration, we had a photo-shoot to commiserate the long journey getting there.

Seflies

Seflies Round 2

Group Shot

After the stir had wound down, we set up camp and started the fire to make dinner. Through the cooking process, we admired the beauty of the town below. A batch of concentrated lights and an expanse of land outside of it exposed the isolation our town faced. After admiring and trying to find our houses, we sat down to feast. A meal of chicken, French fries, salad, and juice filled our empty stomachs after the long hike. Through digestion, we talked, joked, and slowly trickled into our tents for the night.

We awoke to the light of a fresh dawn and entered the world with a stretch and a smile. In awe of the bucolic nature around us, we opened our eyes to the beauty of our home. With Mount Mulanje on one side and our town on the other, we were humbled by our minor nature on this magnificent earth.

After taking in all that we could, we began to prepare for the dissension. Unanimously deciding to not put ourselves through the same route, we ventured down the mountain with a path undiscovered. Covered by a fresh morning’s dew, the grass lead to more slipping, falling, and tumbling than a silent film. Having a good since of humor about the stumbling, we laughed our way down the mountain.

Through the more scenic trail, we discovered rivers, tea gardens, and waterfalls lining the path. After a six-hour trek of uninterrupted beauty we arrived back in town looking like the mountain men that we were.

Group Shot on Top

Labor Day Celebrations

Labor Day or “Dia dos trabalhadores” is celebrated on 1 May every year. Everything was cancelled: school, work, and banks. If this was a big enough day to have everything canceled it must have a celebration to go along with it; no big holiday goes without a celebration in Mozambique. I was not disappointed.

After getting ready for the day, I grabbed my camera and headed to the only main street in town. Disappointment spread across my fixed smile as I looked upon an empty road. Before I turned back around, a float drove by me and restored my hope in the day. My power walk kicked into sixth gear as I followed the float. As we came around the bend, I couldn’t believe it. Cars, people, and floats all lined up along the road for a big celebration.

Intricate floats lined the road. Some simple designs decorated with smiling faces and others giving a sneak peak into the daily life of the profession.

After looking at all the floats I had a clear favorite. What’s yours?

Beginning of the parade

The Hospital – Here presenting its range of capabilities, the hospital is showing patient care and a different surgery on the other side of the drape. The hospital sits on top of the main hill in Milange, and is designed as a rural hospital. It has some of the necessary equipment, but the hospital in Blantyre is the closest one that many would want to go to.

Igreja Reformada de Moçambique – The church has many projects throughout the community. Many of the missionaries from the community are here through this church. Freek, man with blond hair and glasses, is a doctor at the local hospital. Kim, to the right, partners with the hospital for community and health outreach projects. Niehan and Carmen, waving on the left, are in charge of a literacy project aimed at rural schools.

Fire Engine – This was the first time the firemen were seen in town, and they were showing off their new toy. Not entirely sure how useful they will be considering houses will never burn or burn down long before they could arrive. Hopefully this truck will never have to actually be put into use.

Teaching a class

Primary school – One of the primary schools in town. During the parade, they were giving a mock lesson equipped with a desks, students, a teacher, and a blackboard (not shown in the picture). If only this fully represented a classroom in Mozambique.

Surveyors – These people help out with the road construction. Their presence in town is hard to come by; however, you can see many of them along the road that is currently being worked on.

The Salon – Everyone likes to look good here in Mozambique, so if you are feeling like a new hairdo, this is the place to go.

Demonstrating handpump

The Center for Public Works – Demonstrating a hand pump in the back of a truck, they advocate for water security and availability in Milange.

Road Construction Company – Consisting of half of the parade by showing off their large machinery, the road construction company is supposed to be paving a road to the nearest large city in Mozambique. Funded by the EU and run by the Portuguese, this company has led to a large increase in the economy in Milange.

Olivera Commercial – One of the many places owned by Mr. Olivera, this store is in charge of the liquor for the town. This float was one of the more lively on the parade. Maybe they had a little pre-parade celebration.

The Agriculture School – They teach farming and agriculture techniques: growing vegetables and other types of produce. They seem to have a new program related to animal vaccinations. We are still unsure what ended up happening to the dog on the float.

ESPANOR – One of the local NGOs that specializes in adult and child education. They have a preschool, university, and a variety of programs including English lessons, agriculture techniques, IT programming, and clothes designing. This is one of the organizations I help out with.

Hardware Store – Representing one of the biggest hardware stores in town. The store imports many of its materials and has the largest selection of goods for the local handyman.

The Tailor – Not entirely sure where all of these tailors are concentrated, but Milange has a variety of tailors that will do anything from fix a ripped patch of clothing to creating an entirely new shirt out of capalana. The tailors are convenient if you happen to lose some weight over your stay in Mozambique.

The Crowd

After the parade, everyone piled into the sports complex. Here we saw plenty of dancing, music, presentations, and medical consultations. The hospital didn’t fully take a day off by offering a blood donation center at the edge of the party. There was a constant feeling of joy in the air, and all were there to have a good time.

Traditional drums

Dancers

Traditional dance around the drums