I can't belive the term is coming to an end and I greet it with mixed emotions, one respect I am happy as I will have some time to myself to explore the island and to catch up with friends and in another I will miss all the children.
I've started taking the pick up service that they offer, which means I actually leave home latter in order to get the bus, I basically just wait at the corner of my road. It is so simple I don't know while I didn't do it sooner. It is so much fun and someone is always telling a joke or two; and most times everyone is so happy. During the day, I had one of the seven year olds for a counting/computer lesson and it went really well, although she kept on asking when we were going to play computer games, but she was counting up to 30 odd. This isn't a huge thing in most schools but I was so impressed. Anyway we travelled home in the bus together and she decided to hold my hand all the way and wanted to sit next to me. I was so chuffed, once again it's the little things that makes this so worth while.
By the way no news on the little boy who's foot was severed. I have to speak to the principal tomorrow to get an update.
Dec 05, 2008 12:00 AMRadio Tamarin
It has been a bit of a long day. We left school at 2.30pm to go to a christmas parade in town. All the children were dressed up with christmas hats, toys , presents, and paraded through teh streets of Scarborough. Quite a lot of families came out so see them - a really nice afternoon.
It appears that this is an annual thing, whereby the radio station sponsors the event for the three schools for people with disabilities.
Dec 04, 2008 12:00 AMTwenty years
Today on the island they celebrated 20 years of local government, where Trinidad relinquised some of their power and allowed Tobago to control their own affairs. This was celebrated with many events but it meant a half day as school today.
I got up early and had breakfast with the family before listening to the announcement by the THA. The kids probably wasn't too aware if why they got a different/special lunch but they were all happy that they went home after lunch.
Dec 02, 2008 12:00 AMHorrific incident
When I've been here a month now and we are into the Christmas period, where they have various activities. Each day some thing nice is happening for the kids. Last week a local church cooked a lunch and brought it in for all of the kids, friday the PSA has a christmas party, tomorrow we have a christmas church service, Thursday to government is invited to the school and on Friday there is a Christmas parade. Christmas is such a wonderful season with school breaking up next week.
Which leads me on to the horrific experience I saw today. Just after lunch I heard a lady crying how a boy had just lost his foot. I didn't understand or really didn't belive what she said so I had to see for myself.
In the same compound that I work is a primary school and the children where just playing about in the carpark. And so I'm told, a school boy was being chased by another, playing as boys do, but then he ran out into the street and was hit by a passing car. The horrific part was there his foot was severed from his leg. I couldn't beleive it it came completely off, but the boy was still awake, not crying, not even making a sound, just looking down at his foot. I have never seen anything like that in my life, and the picture keeps on flashing in my mind, even now. I actually wish I had never been curious and had just stayed in my class room. Just seeing the white bone and flesh was awful. But he was so lucky becuase there wasn't much blood or the time it took for the ambulance to arrive he probably would have bleed out. I really feel for the boy, who probably would have to be flown to Trinidad for treatment, and his family.
Finally the ambulance can and then everything just went back to normal. That is the funny thing about life, normality happens so quickly.
Nov 26, 2008 12:00 AMPresentation
The school has just had a delivery of a few computers (hopefully it was for me) however no software was ordered, it just came preloaded with the microsoft suite. I decided to create a presentation use as a programme to faciliate a maths class; you know using all the animation facilites and I have to say I am so proud (what again) with the results. I sat with an autistic boy and took him through the slideshow, with him answering all questions and working out problems. He got all of them right, so now I'm tasked with making it a little harder; (tap tap) - that is me patting myself on the back
Nov 25, 2008 12:00 AMComputer studies
I'm really getting into this thing now. I've prepared a few bits of course work for various levels so any time they have some free time we can have an extra class. This afternoon as the parents came in for the teachers meeting, I was teach the older children about creating presentations, drawing pictures and a bit of creative writing. Once I'd printed of the documents the kids were so pround, now I understand why teaches love teaching.
Nov 24, 2008 12:00 AMAll alone; well maybe not...
I know I shouldn't have been scared, but the prospect of teaching a class on my own was quite daunting. Anyway I was asked to supervised that the class for a couple of hours and be creative of what to engage the 12 students. Well my mind went blank, bearing mind I was only asked to teach computer studies general stuff was a little beyond me. Well that is what I thought but in the end it turned out quite good and was extremely fun. I have to say it was really difficult controlling all the kids. When I was giving my attention to one group, the others started acting out and vice versa. I was happy when 3 o'clock arrived.
Nov 20, 2008 12:00 AMCultural awareness
The day went so smoothly, I awoke a crack of dawn and decided to see what area I was staying in. My impression of Trinidad is that it isn't really a pretty island. I mean it has its pretty spots but overall people are just getting on with life. I also heard that it is now the leader in the Caribbean for crime (what a reputation to adopt????). But today I didn't have inkling. I was staying next to the Presidents new residence and it was a lovely building. As I took a few pictures the security guard cautioned me. But I had already done it…
We then headed for San Fernando first across the Lady Young Road. This is a find mountain round that gives wonderful views of Port of Spain (the capital) and all the way to the coast. It was unfortunate that I couldn’t stop to get that perfect shot. I will have to return.
I think to took around an hour to get to San Fernando – this area is popular and it is where the oil fields are located, so there is significant wealth here, although driving around you wouldn’t guess.
We headed to Naparima Bowl for the performance. I had heard of this place so many years ago, and now being here it seems a lot smaller than I expected. But everything ran so smoothly, all the schools turned up on time and the tight schedule was adhered to. The performance from my school was really wonderful, I would say the best, but that would be me being prejudice.
Nov 19, 2008 12:00 AMAnother day another plane...
So I now have to head back to Trinidad to attend a performace from the VSA of Trinidad & Tobago - to be fair I don't actually know what it stands from but it something to do with special needs children. I will find out and update soon.
Nov 19, 2008 12:00 AMCultural awareness
The day went so smothly, I awoke a the crack of dawn and decided to see what area I was staying in. My impression of Trinidad is that it isn't really a pretty island. I mean it has it's pretty spots but overall people are just getting on with life. I also heard that it is now the leader in the Caribbean for crime (what a reputation to adopt????). But today I didn't have an inclin.
