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VimeoAbout 20 miles outiside of Dangriga is a small village called Pomona. There is a Anglican primary school named St. Matthew's, where I am going to teach and tutor math three mornings a week. I also help sell "ideal" before school and at their breaks. "Ideal" are like HUGE pop-ices, but rarely are the frozen. These types are called "soft ideal." Most of the kiddos want this "soft ideal." So basically, I'm expected to teach math to a bunch of kids that are hopped up on sugar water at 8:30 in the morning. I think that is the definition of impossible.
I am determined, however, because I will be working with Standard 6. Standard 6 is the equivalent of 8th grade. These kids have to pass an exit exam to be eligible for high school. Even if they do pass the exam, they have to have the money for tuition, uniform, and books to attend. But the first step is passing the exam. If they don't pass, they basically have no future. And who wants that? Nobody, that's who.
Here is the link to some pictures of the school and the field it sits on. Right now the field is only used for recreation. BUT, the agriculture department of the University of Arkansas is looking to work with the teachers and students of St. Matthews, Ecumenical Junior College and ITVet (local tech institution) to plan, implement and sustain a school farm to support the school feeding program. Many of these kids come to school hungry or are only able to eat a small breakfast. And we all know, if you're hungry, nothing else matters. Especially not school. You may wonder why these kids are hungry if they are buying all of these "ideal." An ideal is 5 nickels found on the ground for a tube of sugar water. Not very nutritious or substantial. If successful, this small garden could not only supply the school with food to feed their students, but also provide a cash crop to raise money for the school.
