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Entertainment
September 16th, 2008
The entertainment “curriculum” available at BAGSS is certainly a varied one. We were warmly exposed to how our Malawian sisters entertain themselves both IN and OUT of the classroom…
…Yes! There are pupils who find learning – quenching their thirst for knowledge – invigorating, gratifying and very entertaining. This is, in no small part, due to the respect; enthusiasm; talent; innovation and definitively positive outlook with which the teachers teach (with far more limited resources than in Scotland): all of which is reciprocated by the pupils – creating an exceptionally inviting learning environment.
*(Perhaps a mention in the direction of the group member who is talking on “Lesson Observation”/Education – wasn’t sure if they had been assigned)*
Out of, and occasionally in between, the classroom; the girls congregate and truly joy in one another’s company. For their own “entertainment”, the girls enjoy a variety of activities which are largely organised by the prefect designated that role.
The BAGSS girls have recently formed a DRAMA group with the help of their playwright, director and biology teacher – Mr Kamanga (who visited us in February). During our stay, we were given a very poignant performance of a drama in which the alarmingly current issues in Malawi, of corruption, exploitation, sexism and PREJUDICE were accurately highlighted.
With limited MUSICal resources, their voices are their only instruments… and what VOICES! The girls sing in a variety of choirs, at the twice weekly assemblies and also at church which they attend each Sunday morning. Amongst a group of many musicians, there was not one of us who failed to be moved by the depth, emotion and raw talent in their voices. We attempted to entertain them with some Scottish songs and atop Bandawe’s very own “mountain”, there were many wonderful moments as we sang in unison.
Our Malawian friends are very adept SPORTswomen and fierce competitors as we found out when we felt the “compulsion” to take them on at volleyball; their sport in their own back yard. They had great skill and teamwork, a far cry from our near-shambolic defence. It was a close-affair however, “nothing” to do with the partisan and somewhat biased officials who we befriended and who gave us the occasional extra point. They coached the other members of the group the art of volleyball with VARYING success.
Many of the origins of modern DANCE lie in Africa and hence, the dancing inadequacies of the majority of the group were plain for all to see, and mock! The girls’ natural rhythm and unpretentious demeanour allowed us to learn a little from them at the weekly social/ disco (a Malawian twist on a western idea – for the better), every Saturday evening “under the mango tree”. They are all very proud of their African roots and history but at times even more so of their native TRIBES. They showed this with the passion and enthusiasm with which they performed their tribal dances. So enthused were they that they “invited” us to join in… a MUTUAL culture shock?! We repaid the favour with a dose of Scottish country dancing. After a brief introduction, the girls were eager to join in. They did so with varying success. So excited were they that during the progressive dances, keeping a hold of your partner was a rather strenuous ordeal.
The fun and playful side of breaks during the school day, that is no longer common place in our secondary schools was majestically reinstated into BAGSS life. Their creative games endeared us and almost all of the girls to participate- the majority of which had similar origins to those games we grew up with in Britain… with a Malawian twist of course!
The recurring theme throughout the girls’ many inventive sources of entertainment is that of friendship and unity, this key component of school life brings the girls closer, converting them into a very tight knit bunch for whom simply being together is ample entertainment. So truly welcoming was BAGSS that we felt as if we were part of that extended, entertained family: who without the burden of technological or material dependence remain happy, fulfilled and without jealousy or greed.
The girls “entertainment” of us in befriending and looking after us allowed us to experience and develop, in great depth, the SOCIAL SIDE of the trip – the beginnings of what we hope to be a rather special link that will stand strong for many years to come.
By Thomas Downs
Malawi 2008 | Comments Off
