days 377-378: 2 weeks behind & a teachers strike

so much to catch up on from the last 2 weeks!! i've made notes along the way in order to keep you faithful PRAYer warriors in the loop but just haven't had the chance to sit down until now to fill you in. thanks for your understanding in this, the 2nd year of my term. i really thought after camp in march things would slow down a bit, but the Lord has continued to open our eyes DAILY to how HE'S at work in hearts here in cape town these days! not only that, but He's showing us how we can join Him in the work...so as tired as we may be, we are beyond grateful!

TUESDAY a week ago i taught LO in the morning & returned later that day for after-school club. for the 2nd week in a row, not a single student was left on campus...& i wasn't late! (remember the previous week when the principal's daughter had committed suicide?) i was able to find the principal, talk with him a bit about how his family was doing & find out where everyone was: the teachers left early to plan...this time for a city-wide strike the next day. with no teachers left in the rooms, the kids went home early.

so, on WEDNESDAY, there was no school for me at langa high nor for bruce at nomlinganiselo primary. you can read all about the TEACHER STRIKE in detail by clicking here!

for those of you who just want the gist:
(western cape stats only)

- it was reported that 48 schools closed on wednesday, april 24, 2013
- 2,474 teachers reported absent
- 163 schools affected
- teachers & students alike present & actively participating
- definite legitimate concerns (lack of resources, overcrowded classrooms [50-60 learners each], low salaries & lack of teacher training)

"i am teaching grade 4 in all subjects.

i have never been trained for those subjects but it doesn't matter."

-teacher in gugulethu (where we are on mondays)

- BUT - methods of seeking change here in africa don't always seem to make much logical sense:

-teachers wore red shirts that day which said "every child needs a teacher" - yet because of the strike, learners were without that very thing (some for multiple days)
-much like the many protests where people trash their communities by burning tires, busting out stop lights & throwing trash & massive rocks into the streets demanding better provisions for their communities

- teachers saying now that if the many demands aren't met in 21 days, a full blown strike will erupt.

so...that was wednesday. join us in PRAYing for our city as the Lord leads you? thank you! more to come in catching up soon!