A New Week; a New Volunteer Team

Flo with students at Primary School assembly.

After a wonderful breakfast together, we began our first day of service in Anse La Raye. We were dropped of and driven to our various destinations.

Firstly, we arrived at the primary school where there was a special assembly held for all the students. The principal informed all in attendance that this school is a literary center whose main goal is to teach all students to read. A community leader, Marie-Louise Reid offered a very inspiring opening ceremony beginning with the Lord’s Prayer followed by an enthusiastic school song. This included the reciting of the school slogan “the difficulties in my path will not defeat my ambition”. They stressed the importance of being able to read fully in their education and Global Volunteers Emily and Flo were presented at the assembly to help them achieve better reading skills.

The students were then asked what they want to become in life. It was pointed out they need to read before they can become most of the professionals they named. She showed them a big bag and used audience participation to illustrate how they need to unlock their minds and use their potential – that being the key to reading. It was all in all, very moving. 

Emily and Flo were each assigned a student to tutor, and both students seemed happy, and responded well. But it was obvious that they need help to recognize sounds and words. Gabby, a newly installed Peace Corps worker at the school introduced herself, and suggested specific lesson plans for the next day.   It was a good day.
- Flo