La Rentree Scolaire

Since my return to post a few weeks ago, the Cameroonian school year has begun.

I showed up the very first day, alongside a few teachers and even fewer students. My first day of teaching was spent reviewing with a dozen students in an empty classroom. By the time the principal held our first term general assembly at the end of the week, about 1/3 of the teachers and students at the lycee had returned to Bokito.

In the past week I began classes in earnest, although once my timetable was altered without my knowledge and I missed two hours of class. This year I'm teaching my former 6eme students English and IT in 5eme. Now that what had been three 6eme classrooms have merged into only two 5eme classrooms, I have 81 and 85 students in each. And do remember these are, in general, 12 and 13 year olds. Adolescence in Africa is just as awkward as in the US.

I also have two classes of 3eme, mostly made up of students who failed the BEPC exam last year and have to repeat. There are, as of last Thursday, 101 and 95 students in these two classes.

So, here I am in Yaounde. I went to Makak on the train for a provincial meeting. I'll be back in Bokito tonight.

I just hope AES Sonel has repaired the electricity in my quartier. Since last Sunday we've had a brownout (small lightbulbs will shine at half-wattage, no major appliances function). Some houses have full power again but as I left for the weekend mine was still off. I complained at their office in Bafia as I paid my bills. I pay my bills even if I don't have power! I'm their best customer.

In any case, the few weeks at post have been good. Where things use to irritate me I can now shrug and do without. When taxi drivers ask to marry me, I can respond with sarcasm rather than cold stares. I feel much more at home and comfortable this year.