English class is back in session, bigger and badder than ever! The number of students has doubled in size this time around, with mostly beginner level kids comprising the new additions. It makes for a rowdy couple of hours, as our humble garage cannot accommodate the enthusiasm in sound or occupancy levels, nor am I able to give equal attention to all students. The presence of the the entire range of language ability makes it near-impossible to teach any one lesson that will engage everyone. Instead I find myself bouncing back and forth, pinball-style, between the narrow row of desks and scattered chairs, responding to constant calls, helping individually with specific homework assignments.
The overwhelming influx of new kids has been tough on the advanced and loyal ones, as the chaotic environment rules out any chance of our good ol' thoughtful discussions. So, we have split up the week, agreeing upon two beginner days and three advanced days. I have a feeling that everyone will continue to show up at once, but we'll see. I need a bouncer.
We've been working on a class website, wherein the students create the content-- short autobiographies, photos from trips, information about our class and our town-- which I revise and build into a simple site. It's not very developed yet at all, but take a look if you're interested: Friends of Amizmiz
Some work-related notes:
In the last several months since IST, I've been trying to make headway on improvement within the local pottery business operations. So as not to repeat a lot of already-written info, check out this post to read about the issues with which we're dealing.
A Moroccan acquaintance of mine who works in small business development locally, and with whom I have met to brainstorm and exchange info, helped me out by looking into how to go about my first project idea-- finding land for the potters to lease from which they can take soil legally. After asking the appropriate authorities, we found that no such land was available. Just recently, however, I discovered that the potters do have a large area of nearby land at their disposal. It is legally theirs to use, which they do, frequently. Some still choose to take dirt from prohibited areas, though not due to a lack of their own land. So that idea is out for now.
At a recent visit to one of the potters, I noticed a large pile of cardboard boxes and scrap paper sitting next to the kiln. I inquired about this, and learned that the potters obtain, for free, these scraps from local businesses in order to burn in their kilns, and that they have ceased using badly polluting materials like rubber tires. This was also news to me. My next project idea had, in fact, been to set up such arrangements with businesses. Another promising idea already implemented. Hm. Perhaps I am to blame for not doing thorough enough initial research, though there was no indication that I hadn't until now...
A long walk and conversation with my friend Hamid was quite enlightening. We had a realistic discussion about just what it is that we could really do here. I commented that I've been placed in this town to help, but it seems as though no one particularly wants or even needs my help. Hamid, being a potter himself, agreed. He didn't know what it was I could do, saying that the potters are generally very happy with their work. They have the materials they need. They have a stable, reliable market in which to sell their craft, from which they are able to provide for their needs. They have the added benefit of actually working from their own homes, near and often with their families.
The one thing they don't do, he said, is work together. I thought that a natural step would be to encourage them to do so, and to organize a location and regular times during which they could convene, making use of their collective skills and knowledge to hone their business practices. Perhaps invite those more skilled in such practices to come and deliver workshops on the subject. But according to Hamid, this has all been tried in the past, even by the previous Volunteer whom I replaced. The potters are competitive and private, preferring to work separately, having little patience for each other and especially for those who want to alter their stable system. Understandable. Hamid says that in addition to Peace Corps, many associations have come to town (one visited just the other week, in fact) with the intent of somehow "improving" the situation here, and that by now the potters are wholly uninterested and have closed themselves off to such talk.
As discouraging as this may sound-- having my little plans crumble and no clear direction ahead, it actually felt quite productive. I have a much better understanding of the potters' point of view, of their methods, and of what has been tried in the past. What does seem clear is that they certainly don't need my help. There are still things to be improved upon, and though I am not at all abandoning or closing myself off to possibilities with them, I have to think that perhaps I should be looking elsewhere. But where? With whom? I'm hoping that some feedback from my program manager and counterpart will offer some insight.
There is still a year to go, but time does fly, especially here where every day is over before I can even put my sandals on, it seems. In the light of these new revelations on my work situation here, I recall that my service does not stand on its own; that it is a step in a cycle of volunteers, and that succeeding in tangible things is not the point of being here. Sure, I tell myself that to fend off envy when others are perhaps putting fresh paint on the walls of their artisana or exporting carpets to far-off lands, and I am stumbling along learning about where dirt comes from. But each person and his or her situation are unique, this is mine, and I'm in the right place. I have no clue what will happen in the next year and probably wouldn't even come close with a guess. There are always things brewing out there that I can't see...
