A Mid Week Reflection

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

As I stepped off the train in the Monopoli  station after having spent a weekend  away,  I felt a comforting sensation that I'd arrived back home.  HOME !! What a welcoming feeling after only living in Monopoli for so short a time. For me it was evidence at how our experience with Global Volunteers has integrated us so intimately into the community.

If the first week passed as a film in slow motion, this second week seems to be a one played in fast forward. We've all became acutely aware that our time was passing all too rapidly. Our schedules seemed to become filled with activities such as attending local concerts, accompanying students to a conference in Bari, playing a pick up game of soccer with the local high school girls and hosting a gathering with some of the adults who we have been tutoring.  And as usual, Rita our teacher at the liceo continued to find opportunities for us to absorb more of Puglian life.

And there are the students! How heartwarming to see them greet us on the streets and smile at us when as we enter each of their classrooms. 

As I start thinking about my departure from Monopoli, I look at each student differently and can't help but wonder what life will hold for each one of them. I can hope only good things! 

Written by Kathy 


Our Thought For The Day 

 "Be the change you want to see in the world" Mahatma Ghandi

Shared by Jan

Volunteers With Italian Teacher

 Piazza Vittorio Emanuele - Center of Monopoli

Another Glorious Day

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

It is possible that each of us has come to love Italy and particularly the Monopolitani.

All too short, our visit is into the 10^th day. I am privileged to have the opportunity to interact with local primary and high school children, and adult, all of whom are keen to improve their English, learn more about other countries and provide insights into their daily lives.

Today I was delighted to accept a warmly extended invitation to visit the summer house of one of my tutorial students. She is a local business woman, keen to improve her spoken English and teach me about Puglia.

Our routes alternate between teacher and student – a satisfying combination. It created balance between visitor and host.

Written by Jan

Rita, Our Italian Teacher Host With Students

  

Thought for the Day….

                                     “If not now, when?”

                                          Shared by Jean

 

An Afternoon Tutoring Session With Daughter and Mother

A Moment To Relax

A New Week Begins....We Are Veterans Now

Monday, September 24, 2012

An early morning mist was over the sea.

We all experienced a heightened awareness that this is our second and last week. There is much to accomplish! Over the weekend we had shared what worked and what had failed in the classrooms. We met the morning with renewed energy.

One volunteer, who is tutoring both children and adults, has the most difficult job. She has had to be creative to find ways to meet each of them at their skill level. There are three high schools that we visit; with four sessions each morning. Sometimes we are given small groups to lead in conversation.

Today, working in pairs, some had a short story to review and hear student’s interpretation of the story. In another session, two volunteers used the media lab to project song lyrics on the screen and an enthusiastic chorus could be heard in the hallway. That was very well received! Another pair of volunteers challenged their class to list in English all that they saw in a variety of colored pictures. These pictures were from a calendar of New England scenes.

We find the students cheerful, accepting of us and each other, and enthusiastic.

 Written by Jean

Two Thoughts for the Day….

   “It is not what is poured into a student that counts but what is planted.”        Linda Conway 

       “To do is to be”     Descartes   by Carolyn

       “To be is to do”    Voltaire       by Carolyn

        “Do Be Do Be Do”     Frank Sinatra by Ed

                                                   Shared by Carolyn, Ed & Frank

 Time To Harvest

 Almonds & Peppers

Looking Back At Last Week

 





An Afternoon Tutoring Session With Jan

Friday, September 21, 2012

 

We are at the end of our first week and everyone seems to be well  satisfied with their classroom experiences so far. It is refreshing to note that there are no security guards at the school doors and no metal detectors.  Students stand when  teachers enter the room and  greet them with respect.  The family is extremely important to these children. For il pranzo (lunch) extended families gather at home around their tables for the biggest meal of the day. Grandparents are important in the lives of Italian children.

It should be noted that our Team Leader is taking very good care of  us. She is conscientious, and concerned for all aspects of our time spent in the classroom, as well as, on our own. She has been selecting  a variety of Monopolian restaurants for our lunch. We are well fed!

 

Written by Ed

 

  

     

An Outdoor Session - Warm Day                                                              Students Are A Pleasure!

                                    

 

 

 

 

Thought For The Day Shared By Kathy...

                                                                "Questo istante e’il solo tempo che c’e’"

                                                             "This moment is the only time that there is!"