First Day in Keiri Reki

Despite some struggles with internet connection, Nur was able to send us a full account of her first day in Keiri Reki. As she monitors the progress of construction on the school, she will also be lending a hand at the school and interacting with many students there. Here are her notes from Day #1 on site:


The drive from our home base in Nathiagali downhill to Keiri Reki took about 20 minutes. Upon entering the school, I saw that construction had moved forward rapidly (pictures forthcoming!).


I was introduced to the 7th Grade girls, to whom I would be teaching art classes in place of a teacher currently on maternity leave. Our first activity will be basic still life sketches. Though I had procured all the necessary materials for the girls, I soon realized that dividing them up and setting up the room for class would be difficult: there were 84 girls in one class--their desks lining the walls--and they were too cramped to move. I decided that, from tomorrow on, we would work outside.


The girls were enthusiastic and very polite. While I was dividing them into groups, they would sit down only when I told them to, thank me immediately, and respond to all my questions in unison. They were eager to offer suggestions of their own when asked about their visions for the school. I asked them about their favorite classes, and most responded that they liked learning English best.


After class, I had a chance to speak to some teachers, survey the construction, and explore. I was disheartened to note several examples of government inefficiency in the upkeep and operation of the school. For example, construction plans for a sink for the new bathrooms had to be altered because the government-hired night watchmen never turned up, leaving such a sink in danger of being removed or destroyed if built outside the bathrooms, as originally planned. Overall, it appeared that the students' great excitement and confidence was not being harnessed due to government disinterest; while local legislators seemed to want to ensure enrollment numbers that would look good on paper, the quality of education and upkeep of facilities had taken a backseat.


Still, on my way out, I felt very hopeful. The construction is well underway, and the school has much potential waiting for us to tap into it. I am excited to see how the school progresses.