Ideas that Became Gifts for Us

Faculty, staff, and parents from Kalanso Espace Education warmly welcomed two teachers from Brandon Elementary School in Atlanta, Georgia.  The American Visiting Teachers learned a great deal during their interactions with the Malian culture.  The following are just a few of the ideas we walked away with:

1. The American Visiting Teachers experienced the beauty of the Malian school's national festival.  This festival highlighted the desire for unity amidst the diversity of Mali.  A beautiful lesson to bring back to the United States. 

2. Kalanso publishes a news-journal that includes students writings throughout the school year.  This journal highlights the academic of the school from the students' perspectives.  

3.  Kalanso takes the time to develop a student government.  What a wonderful way to encourage student responsibility. 

4. We learned that in Mali, the visitor is the king.  We were constantly treated with graciousness.  

5. The strength of Kalanso is with the determination of the directors to constantly improve as well as with the parents who support the school.  We were thrilled to see both of these elements in action.

6. Malian students learn about the United States, but American schools do not learn about Mali.  We hope we can change this humbling fact. 

7. The richness of the culture, through foods, music, art reminded us that all of these elements are important to transfer to the next generation. 

8. The time that was taken to connect with people was admirable.  The tea ceremony is an example of the time Malians take to visit with each other.  We have certainly lost this in our communities. 

9. The teachers were curious to learn from us.  This showed us how much we need to mirror their drive to know.  We need to develop the same level of curiosity to learn from others. 

10. I was told that one thing the Koran teaches is, " No one truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself." 

The Three Teas

At the National Festival, we were introduced to Malian Tea.  There are three teas served during this traditional custom.  The first tea is strong and bitter but represents a welcome to the visitor.  The second tea, served much later, is a bit weaker and sweeter.  This tea represents the affection of the host to the company.  The third tea, the lightest and sweetest, represents the commitment of the relationship between the host and the guests.  The tea is shared in peace and without hurry.  Time is not important.  Great care is taken as the host pours the tea into the small cups.  Time and again the tea is sent back to the pot to be re-poured until the foam at the top is just perfect.  A long stream of tea from the pot to the cup is used to maximize the amount of foam that forms in the cup. 

National Day at Kalanso

The school waited until we arrived to celebrate National Day.  Students, Faculty, and parents gathered in local national dress to celebrate the diversity of people groups in Mali.  

The day was spent in dancing to traditional music as well as eating special national foods brought by parents to share with the community. 

As a special honor for us, the American national anthem was played.  

Visiting Classrooms

 Kalanso is a k-9 school and has about 800 students.  The faculty and staff warmly welcomed us into their classrooms.  

Tidiane Fofana and Lalla Dicko, the Visiting Teachers who came to Altanta, helped to meet our every need as we became the new Visiting Teachers. 

Arrival to Kalanso School in Bamako, Mali

Our flight took us from Atlanta to Casablanca, but after spending 15 hours in beautiful Morocco, Kelley and I were ready to get to Bamako, Mali to meet the Kalanso School community.  We arrived about 2:30 AM and met with some of the teachers and the director.  Can you imagine meeting people at the airport in the middle of the night?  

When morning finally came, we were greeted at school with a small program led by students from the English department.  

Teachers from Atlanta, USA Travel to Bamako, Mali 

Now that the Visiting Teachers from Mali have spent time in Atlanta, Georgia, it is time for teachers from Atlanta to travel to Bamako, Mali to be immersed in Malian culture.  Kalanso Espace Education, the school in Mali, welcomes two teachers from Brandon Elementary School during their last two weeks of their school year.  

With passports in hand, these two American teachers begin their adventure on June 1, 2009. 

Visiting Teachers from Bamako, Mali 2008

Two teachers from Bamako, Mali visited Brandon Elementary School for a 5 - week immersion experience August - September 2008.  This experience provided great excitement in the school community. "My international immersion experience with the Visiting Teachers Programme has positively affected my view of the world," stated one of the visiting teachers at the conclusion of the experience.  

Another teacher stated, "My school will be impacted in many different ways.  I intend to stop violence toward kids by talking to teachers in my school.  They don't beat them, but the teachers are too nervous in my school.  they shout after kids or send them out. I will try to do my best to convince them to stop this. Secondly, I will encourage learning through games because it is the best way for kids to master the lessons. Thirdly, I will will try to help students to stop violence toward each other."

The students and faculty in the United States learned many important lessons from the Visiting Teachers. Through constant discussions and questioning, the beauty of the Malian community became clearer to all. 

The programme continues summer of 2009 when two teachers from Atlanta travel to Bamako, Mali to experience the educational system and culture first-hand!