Peace Corps Goal Two and Three

Sun Prairie, WI and Jombang, Indonesia are pretty far apart. 9,600 miles to be exact.

Antipodes

In fact, Sun Prairie's antipode (click here to find your home's antipode) is located somewhere southwest of Australia in the Indian Ocean.  In other words, Jombang, Indonesia is only 2,000 miles shy of being on the exact, precise, absolute opposite side of the world as Sun Prairie, WI.

The antipode of my home in Sun Prairie, WI. 

Fascinating fact: In the 1890s, the Dutch colonists of Indonesia shipped contract workers from Java (an island of the Indonesian archipelago) to the Dutch-colonized Suriname (a country in the northern part of South America). The contract workers' descendents, called Javanese Surinamese, continue to live in Suriname today and they continue to speak Javanese. So...it gets better...when the Javanese Surinamese meet the Javanese of Indonesia in Mecca, Saudi Arabia on the Hajj (the Muslim pilgrimage) they speak JAVANESE together! Mind. Blowing. Even more interesting is the fact that they can ONLY speak Javanese together. Bahasa Indonesia is the national language of Indonesia, but the Javanese Surinamese cannot speak Indonesian. So why do I bring all this up? Because the antipode of Suriname is...

Suriname's antipode is Indonesia.

...Indonesia. These Javanese Surinamese truly find themselves on the opposite side of the world as their ancestors.


The Peace Corps Goals

So why do I bring up antipodes? Despite the fact that I now live on the total opposite side of the world as Indonesia, the internet allows me to continue to share knowledge with Indonesians, despite a 12-hour time difference (Indonesia is ahead of the current summer Central Time Zone by 12 hours).

Peace Corps has three goals that volunteers all over the globe learn during training:

1. To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.

2. To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.

3. To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

During my 2 years in Indonesia, I spent a lot of time with goal 2, helping Indonesians understand Americans. However, since returning to the USA, I've found that the pictures I can take and post on Facebook really back up the two years of facts that I shared. Take a look!

Goal 2: Teaching Indonesians about the USA

In Indonesia the sun sets pretty much year round between 5:30 and 6 PM. I mentioned now and then that the sun set in Wisconsin at around 8:30 PM in the summer. When I posted this picture on Facebook with the caption, "9 PM, sunset just happening," I received a comment of disbelief from another PC volunteer's counterpart. 

Sunset in Sun Prairie, 9 PM

This seamlessly ties into a conversation about Ramadan. Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. Thus, Indonesians are fasting from about 3:30 AM to 5:30 PM, 14 hours. In the USA, Muslims have to eat breakfast around 4:30 AM and then break fast at Maghrib, 8:30 PM. That is 16 hours of fasting, significantly longer. I shared this picture on my Facebook:

I think Indonesians were surprised and "kasihan" (took pity) on American Muslims!

Additionally, it's been fun to share food pictures. Food and household items can be priced very differently in the USA and Indonesia. In Indonesia, a big, fresh, green coconut right from the tree is about 7,000 Rp, or $0.60. So friends were shocked to see this picture...

The same types of food are grown in both places, but vary greatly by size. I loved sending this picture to my counterpart! 

Because here are the red onions in Indonesia...

People asked about my house a lot, so I gave them a full photo tour, including dad's man chair in the living room. People commented, "Hmmm, like in American film" and "this is my idol home." 

Goal 3: Teaching Americans about Indonesia

So back in the good ol' US of A, I find myself face-to-face with Americans again. I have obviously had two years to educate Americans about Indonesia via Skype, letters, Facebook, and this blog. However, my physical presence allows for additional conversations to happen. Check these out!

Ramadan is finally over. Which, first of all, means I can breath a sigh of relief that my boyfriend, Vallen, is no longer fasting from 3:30 AM to 5:30 PM and working in the HOT, HOT sun, repairing bridges from 8 AM to 3 PM with no water or food. This also means that I can share with other Americans more about what Ramadan is. Essentially, Indonesians fast for 40 days (it's based on the Islamic calendar, so Ramadan is currently in the summer, but in a few years it'll be in the winter months). No food or water from sunrise to sunset. It is a time of cleansing. On Idul Fitri, the day after Ramadan ends, Indonesians visit their families' and friends' homes (the process of going home is called mudik) and ask for forgiveness (halal bi halal). 

Happy Idul Fitri. I ask you for forgiveness from the depths of my heart.

Cooking food has been a big way I can share Indonesia with my family. Mom and Dad came to Indonesia in May 2013, but they didn't get to try everything! So, I brought Indonesian food home to them. Perhaps between our comfortable American home and a very hygienic kitchen in which to prep the food, they enjoyed their Indonesian cuisine much more in the USA than in Indonesia! 

Earlier today, I cooked Mom and Dad martabak, cap cay and nasi goreng! I also taught them how to pose for a picture like an Indonesian! 

Last week, I cooked some soto ayam...uenak! 

I've also brought home a taste of Indonesia with my clothing. While my batik-wearing is limited...basically to this dress...people ask about it!

Sarah and I. I proudly display my batik, the traditional fabric of Indonesia. 

Finally, I've had a fun time explaining the Indonesian government to people.  Indonesia just recently finished its 3rd democratic presidential election. Indonesia is home to the fourth largest population in the world. More significantly, Indonesia has the largest Muslim population...IN THE WORLD. Thus, a peaceful, democratic election was very, very important. Alhamdulillah (Praise God), Prabowo did not contest the election results. He peacefully acknowledged that Jokowi won. 

"Save Indonesia"

"Together as one, pick number one!"

Prabowo's campaign number was one. In Indonesia, ballots have pictures, numbers, and names, in case a person cannot read. 

Jokowi was number 2. "Jokowi is one of us."

Here's a few interesting facts on Indonesian government: 

• Indonesia gained independence from the Japanese in 1945 (the Japanese overthrew the Dutch during WWII. The Dutch had been colonizing Indonesia since the late 1500s).
• Indonesia has only had 6 presidents:
1. Sukarno 1945-1967 (chosen by political leaders of the revolution)
2. Suharto 1967-1998 (took over in a military coup)
3. Habibie 1998-1999 (was vice president under Suharto; became president when Suharto stepped down)
4. Gus Dur 1999-2001 (first president elected by a democratic, national election; father of religious pluralism in Indonesia)
5. Megawati (daughter of Sukarno) 2001-2004 (was vice president; became president when Gus Dur was removed from office due to growing political opposition)
6. SBY 2004-2014 (second president elected by the general population)
•  Thus, Jokowi is the third president elected by the general population.
• Presidential terms are 5 years in Indonesia. A president may hold office for two terms.
• There is a new rule that began with this presidential election, which took place July 9th. If I'm not mistaken, in order for a political party to nominate a presidential candidate, that party must hold at least 20% of the seats in the legislature. The legislation elections were April 9th. No party won at least 20% of the votes. Thus, coalitions were formed between parties and Jokowi and Prabowo were chosen as candidates. 
• Jokowi, not unlike President Obama, quickly worked his way through the echelons of the Indonesian government. He was mayor in his hometown, Solo, from 2005-2012. He then became governor of Jakarta from 2012-October 2014. His quick rise to power made some skeptical of his ability to lead a country with much less experience than Prawobo. However, his strengths include his "youth" (53 years old), enthusiasm, and anti-corruption campaign. 
• Prabowo, 61 years old is a military man at heart. He is known for his status as the former lieutenant general of the Indonesian army (a career which began in 1976). Though he has much more experience leading a large body of people, speaks English, and knows how to get things done, he is met with a past record that cannot be forgotten. Under his direct command, Indonesian activists (anti-Suharto) were kidnapped, tortured, and some still have not been heard from since then. 

So, while nothing is currently at stake for me as to who won the presidency, I had a fun time following (albeit superficially) the election. Here are two of the best YouTube ads from the campaign. They are a must-see!

This first ad is 2 young men pretending to be Jokowi and Prabowo. They rap a very lively debate; most of it is in English. 

Debate

This second ad is a famous singer (maybe?) doing a parody of Frozen's "Let It Go." The brilliance and humor of this parody, which sings of the great things Jokowi has done as governor, transcends language! (It's in Indonesian, but the hilarious English translation is below this picture!)

Bapakku

Jokowi Bapakku/ My Dad, Jokowi

Bapakku, bapakku / My dad, my dad
Ini kisah tentang bapakku / This is the story of my dad
Bapakku, bapakku / My dad, my dad
Mari dengar kisahku / Come and hear my story

Ku suka main ke pasar tanah abang / I used to like to go to Tanah Abang market
Cari baju dan mainan / To find shirts and toys
Begitu banyak pilihan, dari sarung sampai kaos dalam / There were so many options, from sarongs to undergarments
Tapi kalau kesana, slalu macet ga tahan / But whenever I went there, the traffic jam was always bad
Pedagang berantakan / The sellers were all over the place
Ku dipalak preman / I kept getting mugged by thugs

Namun kini, semua beda / But now, everything is different
Pergi nyaman, pulang pun lega / It's convenient to go there and nice to come back from there
Pedagang rapi, preman hilang / The sellers are organized, and no more thugs
Semua kar'na / That is all because of...

Bapakku, bapakku / My dad, my dad
Yang rapiin tanah abangku / He fixed the Tanah Abang market
Bapakku, bapakku / My dad, my dad
Preman-preman di lawan / He fought all those thugs
Jadi nyaman / Now it is comfortable
Jadi tentram / Now it is peaceful
Bapakku, bapakku / My dad, my dad
Masih banyak kisahnya bapakku / I still have many stories about my dad

Aku pernah diajak mancing, di daerah waduk pluit / I used to go fishing at Lake Pluit 
Namun tempatnya kumuh, penuh sampah dan nyamuk / But the place was dirty, filled with garbage and mosquitos
Bukannya dapat ikan, eh malah dapat diare / Instead of catching fish, I caught diarrhea
Namun kini kaya di luar ne'gri / But now, it is like overseas

Bapakku, bapakku / My dad, my dad
Yang pindahin ke rumah susun / He moved the squatters to proper housing
Bapakku, bapakku / My dad, my dad
Sampah2 diangkut / He picked up all the garbage
Jadi indah / Now it is beautiful
Jadi mewah / Now it is grand
Bapakku, bapakku / My dad, my dad
Masih banyak c'ritanya bapakku / I still have many stories about my dad

Ngantri izin, skarang sudah gak lama / To get  a permit no longer takes too long
K'liling monas, naik bus bertingkat / We can ride around the national monument in a double decker
Taman, dimana-mana / Public parks are everywhere

Bapakku, bapakku / My dad, my dad
Apa lagi soal bapakku? .... OH ! / What else do I have on my dad? ... OH
Bapakku, bapakku / My dad, my dad
Banyak penghargaannya / He has many awards
Kerja terus / He kept on working
Kita diurus / He kept on taking care of us
Bapakku, bapakku / My dad, my dad
Ga ada yang bisa ngalahin bapakku / My dad is the best, no one can beat him

Saham naik, karena bapakku / Stock price went up because of my dad
Rupiah kuat, karena bapakku / The Rupiah (money) is strong because of my dad
Yang jelek, diganti, sa-a-ma bapakku / The bad politicians were replaced by my dad
Yang bener, dibela, itulah bapakku / Justice was defended by my dad

There and Back Again

I've been home for nearly 3 weeks now, and countless people have asked me, "How was it?"

Depending on the mood I'm in, answers change drastically.

One day, I answered, "Well, I didn't love my job." Then I proceeded to explain the wild schooling system that frustrated me for two years.

The same day, after spending time texting loved ones from Indonesia, I was reminded of how much love and happiness I experienced there. I promptly answered, "How was Indonesia?" with an enthusiastic, "It was great!"

Needless to say, two years can't be summed up in a one-minute response. Indonesia has become a bigger part of my life than I ever imagined it would or could be. Here's some glimpses into cultural readjustment that have passed into my realm of consciousness in the last 3 weeks.

******

• Listening to music? I'd way more rather listen to cheesy Indonesian pop love songs. Haven't turned on the American radio at all yet! New favorites include: Dari Hati and Tercipta Untukku. 

• When I'm in the car (I haven't driven yet), there's often a moment when my heart drops in fear because we have just made a turn...onto the wrong side of the road!

• I spent two years annoyed at people asking to take my picture. But when Michael Zimmerman showed up at my house, he was so tall (6'4'' maybe) that I freaked out and immediately asked for a picture...just like countless Indonesians did to me. 

• I'm so used to added costs that when the man at the bank notarized my letter for FREE, I was shocked!

• It's normal to try out an electronic product in Indonesia before buying it, so I was extremely annoyed at Best Buy yesterday when I had to buy headphones without getting to test them out first. I had to buy them, try them at the store, and then immediately return them.

• I shopped in Woodman's with Dad and I was literally freezing in the freezer section. However, one week later, I am pretty comfortable in air conditioning. 

• I was not an English major and I never cared about grammar. Then I became an English teacher for two years and learned to pay attention. I could tell you the proper way to decide if a comparative adjective uses "-er" or "more." Two years ago, I would have stared at you blankly if you asked me what the rule was. Now, I catch myself mentally correcting other people's grammar.

• We cooked stir fry for six people the other night and mom told me to use five chicken breasts. I couldn't believe it. "Five!?" In Indonesia, a dish for six people would have used one or two chicken breasts.

• I’m better connected with Indonesian friends now than I was in the village because of my smart phone. That blows my mind, but it's also a huge blessing and essential for my relationships. 

• I mentioned "SMS-ing" someone, and Mrs. Zimmerman asked what "SMS" means. For the record, it's "texting" with your phone. In every other country I've visited, it's called an SMS, not a text.

• When you meet or greet someone in Indonesia, you put your hands together like Americans do, but you don't shake hands up and down. It's a quick clasp and then you touch your hand to your chest to show the person that you recognize him/her. Sometimes, I have to consciously stop myself from doing that.   

• I went to the eye doctor, who dilated my eyes. Then I sat alone in the room for 15 minutes waiting for him to come back. I caught myself just sitting there patiently- doing nothing- and smiled to myself. Another Peace Corps volunteer once said that when we return home from Indonesia, we are so patient. You'll be fine to just sit and watch paint dry. There I was in the room, waiting, doing nothing. And it didn't phase me much. 

• I've had to actively prevent myself from saying Indonesian words in the middle of my sentences. "Ya ampun," "Ternyata," and "Apa ya?" are some favorites!

• I craved rice for the first time 2 days ago, and promptly made fried rice!

Overall, however, being home feels...normal. I've had fun going on a family vacation, seeing friends, eating all the food I missed, and wearing "normal" clothes. It's amazing how quickly I've adapted back to what life used to be like pre-Peace Corps. It's also amazing how quickly I seem to have forgotten the "bad" things about Indonesia and remember all the great things still there, waiting for me to visit again! 

An Indonesian Farewell

I’m sitting here at the Minneapolis Airport, waiting to board a flight to Madison. For the last five days, the only way to describe my feelings has been exhaustion and a sort of emptiness. I’m spent physically, mentally and emotionally. It still hasn’t hit me that I’m done. I left Indonesia. And I don't know when I’m coming back. I’m in a sort of daze.

It's official, we are Returned PCVs! 

At the five airports whose presence I've graced in the last 2 days, I’m confused. Should I eat a little more Indonesian food? Or have Western food?

Tammy and I opted for mie ayam at a local lima kaki warung on one of our last days.

But these pancakes happened, too! 

Do I wear long sleeves because it’s respectful? Or because I'm really, really cold in the air conditioning?

Can I drink the water from the drinking fountain?

I can’t text anyone, because I have no working phone.

What money do I use here? Do I use my ATM card or change paper money?

Do I first update my American FB about where I am? Or do I immediately enter my Indonesian account first?

Why don’t I feel more joy?

******

One of the volunteers said that goodbyes are hard, but it means there was a real, loving friendship to begin with. You can't be sad to leave if you have nothing to leave behind. Here's a few of my goodbyes.

Candi Brahu goodbyes with X-1, IPA, and Agama students

Oh, ladies! 

Neighbor goodbyes

Bu Khofso and Pak Djalil's family goodbyes

My host family's goodbyes

Last night out on the town square of Mojoagung with all my best friends.

Udik, Rois and Rosi...helping me pack or creating distractions?!

I said goodbye to my village on Sunday and was driven to my hotel in Surabaya by 3 cars. There, I said goodbye to 20 of my best friends, co-workers, and family members. There were a lot of tears on both sides, complete with photos of my tears. (They've been waiting 2 years to see me cry…well, I gave them the works!)

I’m coming home with so much more than I expected…one of the biggest surprises being 10 pounds of extra fat from the excess rice I ate every day!

I was gifted: mugs, a doll, a photo frame, 3 purses, 1 wallet, a make up bag, a lot of Indonesian snacks (onde-onde, kripik tempe, krupuk tahu, kacang telor), 1 kg of un-fried krupuk, 2 kg of nasi pecel sauce, 6 kg of Wonosalam coffee, batik, a man’s shirt (because my body is “so big,” the gifter was concerned I’d never fit in a lady’s shirt), 2 mortar and pestles to grind spices, 2 small, beautiful table clothes, one large reception hall table cloth (that didn’t make it home), 2 sets of bed sheets, a watch, and perhaps the most symbolic, an American flag hairpin, which I promptly shoved in my hair yesterday upon departure!

Seriously speaking, however, I never thought that I’d have made such best friends. Friends that I know will last a lifetime and span the continents. To Nurul, Faik, Bu Umi and Bu Lilik, you have supported, loved, and fed me for 2 years. You have made me into a better person than who I was when I arrived in Indonesia.

The women to whom I centered my work life for two years: Bu Lilik and Bu Umi.

Lilik, Faik, and their parents

I was so thankful Indah gave birth to her baby days before I left so that I could meet the beautiful girl!

I learned to hold my tongue.

I learned that some questions are just space fillers and the amount of effort it takes to make the question clear in another language just isn’t worth asking. Some things will remain a mystery…such as, what is the new English curriculum???    : )

I have learned that things aren’t always as they first seem. I have taught that to a lot of volunteers, too, who took me for a religious, conservative person at first. Those who got to know me learned that practicing Christians are not necessarily close-minded. I hope I represented my faith well!

I never thought that I would date such a great Indonesian guy, Vallen. Unfortunately, we only met 2 months before I left. That was also a very tearful goodbye. 

Not our kid, I promise!

While most of the time I complained to those back home about Indonesia, the truth is that Indonesia and I have a very love/hate relationship. I’m mad that rice makes me fat, but I love the rice dishes. I have never been more frustrated than with my naughty boy students, but when they smile at me the next day, all is forgiven. I hate when my friend tells me her stereotypes about America, but then I remember how I complain about “Indonesia, Indonesia” almost every day to her. It’s a give and take, and I certainly took more than I gave.

That being said, here is the speech I gave at my school at the last flag ceremony.

I'm giving a speech??

In front of class ten, eleven, and the teachers. About 220 people!

Assalamu'alaikum

Saya masih ingat pertama kali saya sampai MAN Mojoagung. Kata Aba Rusdi, saya akan bertemu guru guru saja. Tetapi saya turun dari mobil dan semua murid dan semua guru menunggu saya di lapangan. Saya di ajak memperkenalkan diri. Saya pakai baju professional dari amerika. Saya belum lancar Bahasa Indonesia. Saya putih sekali. Takut saya! Tetapi saya ngomong sedikit.

Sekarang ini, saya di ajak maju lagi. Tetapi tahun ini agak berbeda. Saya pakai seragam guru indonesia. Saya tambah gemuk karena selama dua tahun, saya di paksa makan nasi terus! Saya…tetap putih! Kulo sampun saget basa jawa sekidit2 mawon.

Tetapi sekarang saya tidak berdiri de depan orang asing yang saya tidak kenal. Saya berdiri de depan keluarga ku di Indonesia.

Selama dua tahun ini, saya diberi jauh lebih banyak daripada saya memberi.

Saya belajar lebih banyak daripada saya mengajar.

Saya dimaafkan lebih sering daripada saya memaafkan orang lain.

Saya diperhatikan dan dihormati jauh lebih banyak daripada saya memperhatikan dan menghormati orang lain.

Saya difotoin jauh jauh jauh lebih sering daripada saya minta memfoto!

Walaupun saya masih mempunyai banyak kekurangan, saya akan pulang ke amerika serikat minggu depan sebagai sesorang wanita lebih sabar dan lebih penuh kasih.

Atas pemberian anda semua kepada saya, saya ucapkan terima kasih dari hati saya yang terdalam.

Saya mohon maaf atas semua kesalahan dan kekurangan yang saya lakukan selama dua tahun ini. Saya tidak bisa lupa MAN Mojoagung, setiap guru, setiap murid, setiap hari yang panas banget! Thank you so much, everyone. Sampai jumpa di Amerika ya??

Assalamu'alaikum

Bye, class X-1!

English translation:

Assalamu'alaikum

I still remember the first time I came to MAN Mojoagung. Aba Rusdi said that I would only meet the teachers. But when I got out of the car, all the teachers and all the students were waiting for me in the schoolyard. I was asked to introduce myself. I was wearing professional American clothing. I was not yet fluent in Indonesian. I was so white! I was scared. But I said hello.

Today, I’ve been asked to come forward again. But this year is different. I am wearing an Indonesian teacher’s uniform. I am fatter because for two years, I’ve been forced to eat rice all the time! I am…still white! (in Javanese) I can speak Javanese just a little. [everyone cheered!]

But now I don’t stand in front of strangers. I stand in front of my Indonesian family.

For two years, I was given so much more than I gave.

I learned more than I taught.

I was forgiven more often than I forgave others.

I was cared for and was respected much more than I cared for and respected others.

My photo was taken way more often than I asked to take photos!

Though I still have many shortcomings, I will go back to the USA next week as a more patient woman who is full of love.

For all the things you gave me, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I ask for forgiveness for all my mistakes and shortcomings that I have done in the last two years. I cannot forget MAN Mojoagung; every student, every teacher, every very hot day! Thank you so much, everyone. See you in America, yeah??

Assalamu'alaikum

Getting congrats on my speech from the teachers

Every student salim-ing me to show respect. 

*****

Goodbye, Indonesia! 

11th Hour Thoughts

I leave my village in 9 days. I fly to the USA in 12 days. It's almost impossible to believe, but 2 years and 2 1/2 months have come and gone. Here are some of the thoughts that I've been having in the last few weeks.

On the road to Batu, Malang...I thank God that our large bus did not tip off the edge. This picture is from the internet. There were actually small guard rails, too. What will it be like to drive on safe roads in the USA? 

I went to the new Museum Angkut in Batu with my friend Wiwit and then my school 4 days later. When I got to the old time America street display, I felt so at home. I cried on my friend's shoulder later that week. What will it feel like to be on a clean street? One where I'm not stared at, but feel like I belong? 

 This sign from Eco Green Park in Batu reads, "My body is white so my heart is definitely clean." What will it be like to go back to a place where being white means unnoticed privilege? 

On the flip side, the people at the museum checked my purse for a camera because you have to pay extra money to use a camera. They made me check it at the door since I refused to pay. They didn't check any of the other teachers' bags because they are all Indonesian...

I saw this wall-sized print out in the museum at Eco Green Park and I was dismayed that no one around me stopped to read it. It reads:

What do you see?
What do you feel?
Can you feel what they feel?
Whose fault is it?
Is this caused by us?
Are we responsible? 

Am I running away from my calling to work internationally simply because it's been hard? Who am I responsible to help? 

Indonesians have made me think more about getting married than ever before. I have taken a particular liking to Indonesian pop songs that feature themes of love. Pictured above is my favorite Indonesian singer, Judika, runner up of Indonesian Idol Season 2. My favorite band is called Ungu (formerly called Peterpan, pre-sex tape scandal). But not to worry, despite the scandal and name change, their followers remained faithful! You can also see evidence below of my interest in songs with Arabic lyrics. Will Americans think my new taste in music is weird or perhaps that I'm showing off because I understand Indonesian music lyrics?


Here are a few of my current favorite songs:

Sampai Akhir by Judika and his wife, Duma Riris

Semua Tentang Kita by Peterpan (new band name is Ungu)

Sayang by Ungu

Kupinang Kau Dengan Bismillah by Ungu and Rossa

Mama Papa Larang by Judika

Dirimu Satu by Ungu

Insha Allah by Maher Zain

 The other day my Christian friends dropped me off and said, "Pray before you get out of the car!" I didn't know what to say in Bahasa Indonesia or what Christians say, so I answered, "Bismillah!" That is Arabic for "In the name of God (most gracious and holy)." How do Indonesian Muslims really feel when I use religious Arabic words? 

People here love to talk about how big and fat I am. What will it like to finally be accepted for who I am and feel normal-sized again? This acceptance and anonymity is what I've longed for most for the last two years. 

My 11th grade students had presentations last week. They wrote plays and then had to memorize and perform them. Costumes and props, too. Another volunteer had such a great experience doing this that I was encouraged to try it, despite doubting my students' abilities. Turns out I was right to doubt. Are my standards too high, or are my students truly low-performing because they come from the village? Do they perform at such a low level because their teachers set low expectations?