My First Day of School

Well …. I know what you are all thinking: “first day of school … is not Kristi well past the age for a “first day of school??!?”  This is true – yet still, I attended my first day of school … in a village “mini-school” in Niger!!

The school that my team has sponsored in the village of Kongu, where I work, has opened it’s doors!!  Last Wednesday was the inauguration day … and Saturday last was the first day of school.  I excitedly attended school with the children!!

When the teacher and I arrived, the children had already spread out the mats and were sitting quietly in rows awaiting our arrival.  While other children were walking through the fields on their way to class!

The teacher began the day starting to teach the chidlren French – the language of instruction in Niger – so the morning was filled with a mix of French, Fulfulde, and Djerma – myself catching only two-thirds of the morning.  But, dutifully standing with the children when told to stand and sitting when told to sit.

We then started to learn to say “Bonjour Monsieur” and “Bonjour Madame”.  The children learning through skits as they all took their turns coming to greet another student.

During the morning break – the girls danced under a tree and the boys ran around the fields!

And what village school would be completed without the village herd of cows snuffling and munching their way past the straw hut school?!!

My friend Abdoulaye is a local teacher in Niamey – and he is proud to be teaching out in this school:

The second lesson of the day, was learning to draw circles – some of the students will need some practice, having never before held a pencil or chalk.  But all were excited to come draw on the big chalkboard and then practice on their mini-chalkboards as well.

As honorary student of the day … I also learned how to draw circles on my little blackboard too!!

The three hours of school passed by very quickly … and soon I had all the students outside with their teacher for the official school photo

And then the children headed home, excited for having learned something new that day!!  I am so proud of all “my” students!