Tucker's report from South Africa (cont.)

Friday, March 9, 2012

A Day at LEAP School of Math and Science

Today we spent the day at the the LEAP School for Math and Science. This school is not a typical Cape Town school because students are selected to come here from less advantaged areas. 

The name refers to the leap that they want the students to make from Township schools to a better education system. There is an emphasis not only on academics but also on improving their lives through what they call "discussions" (more on that later) and community service. 

Our Pomfret students were paired with a student in the Hosting Club, a similar group to our Key Club. We had a brief introduction to the school and to each host in a courtyard on the morning school break. The pairs had time to get acquainted while Oscar, the teacher leader of the Hosting Club, told us about his job as a general studies teacher. He described his role as the teacher who helps to fill the holes in the bottom of the bucket so that the learning will not leak out. He tries to teach basic study skills such as computer skills, geography, and other basic knowledge that we take for granted.

After a casual picnic lunch with our student hosts, we meet for a discussion with them. The discussion is an important part of the Leap experience where the kids learn how to discuss their feelings and engage in conflict resolution. 

We sat in a circle in a classroom. One of the students led us in some deep breathing exercises to help us all get settled and centered for the discussion. 

The Leap students opened up about their time with us and our Pomfret students shared some of their observations from the day. It was wonderful to hear both sides of the story. The next topic for discussion was their community service work that we will participate in on Monday. 

The facilitator explained to us that they are required to do community responsibility work in their own communities. They have to go back to their neighborhoods and find out how they can contribute. One of the students put it this way, "We must always remember where we come from. If we forget where we come from then we will not be able to get anywhere in the future." I was humbled by the wisdom of her statement.

The students headed off for another round of classes after the discussion. Then they will do sports with the seniors. I took this opportunity to visit an internet cafe while the students are in the capable hands of their student hosts. After school today will head out to meet our home stay Mamas.