Classroom Visits

Once the school day started, I had the opportunity to visit each classroom of the school with Edouard. We started with the pre-k classroom. The room had no light other than the sun pouring through the partially open wall. Hanging from the ceiling were colorful paper butterflies on red ribbon. There were a few visual aids on the wall—posters with pictures and their corresponding names like any other elementary school.

I had an opportunity to introduce myself to each class (through Edouard—my translator). As I entered each classroom, the students without hesitation all stood up and greeted me, “Bonjou!” Once they settled back into their seats, I told them my name (Father Ryan). I told them I was from the city of Los Angeles in the United States. I told them that I was a teacher at a school and that I have come to Port de Paix to learn about their wonderful school. Some of the students smiled, some laughed, and some did not know what to make of the situation.

Each classroom was very simple—there were one or two chalkboards, a teacher’s desk, and a collection of homemade wooden (bench-like) desks for the students. The walls were painted a bright, tropical, blue/green and a small wooden Cross hung in each classroom on a wall. I would estimate that each class was filled with about 30-40 students. The classrooms were not separated by solid interior walls—so sound from adjoining rooms filtered throughout each class. There were no windows in the classrooms just slots in the brick façade which are a blessing and a curse. The blessing: The slots allowed students to see outside and for a breeze to move through the overcrowded classroom. The curse: Classrooms were unprotected from the elements and the sounds of the outside world including the busy roads running along the school's property constantly filled the school. There were no computers, no projectors, no lights, no televsions, and no power.

In the upper grades, I had an opportunity to hold brief discussions with each class. We talked about their studies, Port de Paix, and they asked me a few questions about the United States. I visited all 16 classrooms and had an opportunity to take a picture of each class--here are some of the classes.