A Promotion

Today I am promoting myself from the starting rank of “Nanny” to that of “Key Master.” The title “teacher” is not yet appropriate (if ever) since teaching is not always on the agenda. But today, I am proud to say I am exactly what the title describes and I kept order pretty damn well for it only being my 6th day at el comedor.

The day started with only six younger kids and I read them a story. While a few lost interest about halfway through, they respected the other’s choice to listen and played quietly in a corner.

A small riot started formulating shortly after lunch had started. A group of 13 boys kept stealing plastic fruit and throwing it around. They then removed a few tomatoes from the top shelves and were throwing those as well. Today, I had come prepared. I told them all toys had to stay inside the classroom, and if they were going to wreak havoc, I had to use my greatest weapon—a lock and key. I had bought the lock this weekend just in case, hoping that I wouldn’t have to use it during lunchtime. But they left me no other choice. So I locked the classroom gate—no one could go inside. A few did try and climb up the gate, but after a few sterns “NO”s and help from a few mothers, everything quieted down, and I ate my lunch peacefully.

After lunch, the gang of boys didn’t come back—so I was back to my regular group of girls with a handful of younger boys. We played cards and drew pictures, but when the mothers wanted to clean the classroom floor we headed for the hills. I had also come prepared with a soccer ball in case something like this would occur. So, we walked across the street and played on a field with two small goals posted at either side. I attempted to form teams, but it ended up being the boys playing, the girls watching or following me around, and me trying to stop any shots the boys kicked my way. We took a few breaks to get some water—it was way too sunny and hot for little boys like Papelito running around without water. Papel had to have been a favorite today. Although he has a horrible habit of wanting to play with any cards in the classroom, and does so by throwing them around—but all morning, he kept asking about the soccer ball, wanting to know when we would play. During the game this little 3-year old would run as fast as his little legs would carry him. Luckily, with a little encouragement, the older boys were patient with him and let him kick the ball every so often. It was too precious.

Eventually the girls started complaining about being bored. I guess they’ll play soccer, but only if the boys aren’t there, since they hog the ball. So, I ended the game, much to the disdain of the boys and we went back to el comedor for water and a clean classroom.

I spent the rest of the afternoon organizing the endless types of cards (math flash cards, alphabet cards, animal flash cards, English phrases, etc), with the wonderful help of a few girls. The others played quietly with cards, drawing or if you were Papelito, you would persistently come up to me with a different set of cards asking if I wanted to play.

Overall, it was a successful day. My new plan is to organize at least one game each day—anything from organized drawing, to teaching English, to soccer, just to keep the kids attention for at least an hour. That should be counted as an accomplishment. For that, I feel “leader” is appropriate enough.

Also, I’ve become more accustomed to each child’s accent and use of words, so I actually understand what they are saying.

As a sidenote, the election results were announced last night. Each province in Argentina gets 3 Diputados Nacionales. The winners were Yarade, Wayar, and Ohlmedo (the first two aren’t a surprise, but I’d never heard of the third). It appears this election was a great victory for democracy. Four parties have substantial roles throughout the country, where normally it is just two. However, this complicates matters when it comes to changing laws, as there will be so many more opposing perspectives.