Today was a better day. There were still some questions about why I don’t speak Chinese but I look Chinese, but I felt that it was a lot less of a deal today. We (well, Tiffany and Alex) also explained to them that I can’t speak Chinese because I grew up in America speaking English, like how they can’t speak English because they grew up in China speaking Chinese. I think that made them understand a little bit more. I think the kids still respect me and like me, even though I can’t speak Chinese. I was able to be more engaged today, trying to talk to the kids even though sometimes they didn’t understand me.
We played a lot of games with them again, because that’s the best way to increase their confidence and keep them from becoming bored. The boys really like to play outside, so it was really hard to make them stay inside the classroom because they kept shouting that they wanted to go outside. But they still did respect us and did what we told them to do. We went around the school, allowing each kid to take a picture of the most beautiful thing they found. Tomorrow we’re going to let them present their picture to the class. After that, we played a bunch of games and then it was lunch time! After eating, we all went outside to play basketball. It was really cute, because there were about 30 little kids and then 4 big kids (us) playing. So the little kids always passed it to us, because we’re so tall and it’s easier for us to make a basket. And Michael (Chinese student) really likes to play basketball, so he’s really good at it, so all the little kids are always shouting and cheering for him. It’s adorable. After that, we actually TAUGHT them something. We taught them 4 sentences in English: 1) Hi, my name is _____; 2) I am from ______; 3) I like _________; 4) My family has ____ members. The problem was that there was such a huge discrepancy in their abilities to speak English. Most of the girls already knew how to do it or picked it up right away, but most of the boys couldn’t say it well. The boys didn’t seem to absorb it and could repeat it after we said it, but couldn’t say it without our help. It was pretty tough..but we practiced it a lot with them. Then, we had each kid go up in front of the whole class and say it. I think this was a really good exercise…we cheered and clapped for them really loud after they were done, whether they said it right or not. I think it really encouraged them, and they all felt really proud after they did that. After that, they kept shouting that they wanted to go outside again, so we just let them go jump rope outside until the day was over. Hahaha, restless little kids.
What I’m finding is that these kids are actually really bright…they can pick up things quickly and they’re really creative. It’s just so sad that they haven’t been given the opportunity to shine. We played a Pictionary-type game in the morning and even with really crappy drawings, they could figure out what it was. So obviously it’s not a question of intelligence. There’s no doubt that these kids ARE smart, they just haven’t had the resources or people in their life to nurture their potential. It’s really sad…our whole entire class is 11 years old to 13 years old, but they’re all still in the 4^th grade. There’s no doubt in my mind that they could excel in their appropriate grade level if they attended a public school. With only 2 days left with these kids, I’m trying to figure out how I can make them see that they truly are as smart as any other kid. We’ve been encouraging them so much, but I want them to have a self-confidence that is sustainable so that they don’t need people to clap and cheer for them everytime they do something. I wish I could speak the same language as them, so I could tell them how amazing they are and how much they could possibly succeed in life. It’s heartbreaking to think that these kids could be the next leaders of their country, but their future is compromised because they can’t receive the necessary education. At the end of the week, we’re giving each kid a specific award that has his name and talent on it. I hope that will be a little helpful…I want them to always remember that they’re special and have a unique talent.
Now I’m trying to figure out where there are kids like this in America, around San Diego. I think I would really like to volunteer for disadvantaged kids and I think I would be a lot more effective if I spoke the same language as them -_- What I’m afraid of is that when I go back to America, I’ll re-enter my little bubble and only think about my life and my school and my friends and family. I’ll go back to having my narrow little view on life; I won’t think about anything on a global-scale anymore. I’m so afraid that I will become that person again because it’s just SO much easier to deal with only MY own life. I hope that when I get back, G will change my heart so that I have a heart for others less fortunate than me. It seems a shame that after he’s given me so many blessings, I’m wasting them all away on myself. If you’re reading this, please pray for that for me and for my fellow students here. Xie Xie!
Super cute children.
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