June 24, 2011
Staff Meetings
Friday we had a two and a half hour staff meeting, probably one of the longest ones so far. Let me paint a picture of what a typical staff meeting looks like around here. The headmaster sits on a stool while the rest of us teachers sit on the floor on mats. A couple of dogs always seem to find their way inside the classroom as well. An opening prayer is said by the headmaster and sometimes a chorus is sung as well. Then we all clap, because in Vanuatu you always clap after a prayer. The headmaster then goes through the agenda as the teachers look totally uninterested . . . one is texting on her phone, another one is popping out her boob to feed her baby, one is coming in and out of the room trying to get the unsupervised students to shut up. The meeting goes on for hours because although no one looks interested, every person in the room will have to comment on everything that is said. When we finally finish up another prayer and closing chorus. Then everyone stands up and we shake hands. Man I love Vanuatu!