Students and staff at Kalamanagunan Primary School (up to Grade 8) at Kokopo took part in an all day event today to farewell their beloved Japanese volunteer teacher, "Mr Sasa", who was leaving after three years.
Sasa gave his students everything. He taught math, science, and environment formally, had a role in music, but was most loved for his work outside the classroom. At lunch time and after school, he was to be found at "as blo mango" (in Tok Pisin, pron: a*se belong mango = under the mango tree) where he gave freely of himself answering questions any student wanted to raise about his subjects (whether they were in his class or not), providing music and singing instruction and support, giving advice on study techniques, and most importantly of all, instilling in all a feeling of confidence in themselves and a positive attitude.
He walked, ran, and traveled by local bus.
Goodness knows what his future is in Japan, but if he ever wants to come back here, he will be welcomed with open arms!
Waiting for Mr Sasa to arrive, the assembled students sang, and chatted and waved their homemade Japanese flags.
Mr Sasa arrives -- dressed up by his students in some traditional tribal finery and carried on a chair on the shoulders of students. Such an honor is not lightly given. Typically, Mr Sasa plays his part to the appreciation of one and all.
Mr Sasa greets students.
Enthroned among his followers!
A group of students in traditional dress prpare to perform "an item".
When a group of students sang and danced, Mr Sasa was right there with them!
[ATTACH alt="The student and staff gathering was in the "natural hall" -- a natural valley which has been filled a little to form a flat area with huge old rain trees sheltering it from the tropical sun. Heaven help us if the students are assembled there the day one of the big boughs comes down."]media_3603007[/ATTACH]
The student and staff gathering was in the "natural hall" -- a natural valley which has been filled a little to form a flat area with huge old rain trees sheltering it from the tropical sun. Heaven help us if the students are assembled there the day one of the big boughs comes down.
--
Geoffrey Heard
Down and out in Rabaul in the South Pacific
Sasa gave his students everything. He taught math, science, and environment formally, had a role in music, but was most loved for his work outside the classroom. At lunch time and after school, he was to be found at "as blo mango" (in Tok Pisin, pron: a*se belong mango = under the mango tree) where he gave freely of himself answering questions any student wanted to raise about his subjects (whether they were in his class or not), providing music and singing instruction and support, giving advice on study techniques, and most importantly of all, instilling in all a feeling of confidence in themselves and a positive attitude.
He walked, ran, and traveled by local bus.
Goodness knows what his future is in Japan, but if he ever wants to come back here, he will be welcomed with open arms!
Waiting for Mr Sasa to arrive, the assembled students sang, and chatted and waved their homemade Japanese flags.
Mr Sasa arrives -- dressed up by his students in some traditional tribal finery and carried on a chair on the shoulders of students. Such an honor is not lightly given. Typically, Mr Sasa plays his part to the appreciation of one and all.
Mr Sasa greets students.
Enthroned among his followers!
A group of students in traditional dress prpare to perform "an item".
When a group of students sang and danced, Mr Sasa was right there with them!
[ATTACH alt="The student and staff gathering was in the "natural hall" -- a natural valley which has been filled a little to form a flat area with huge old rain trees sheltering it from the tropical sun. Heaven help us if the students are assembled there the day one of the big boughs comes down."]media_3603007[/ATTACH]
The student and staff gathering was in the "natural hall" -- a natural valley which has been filled a little to form a flat area with huge old rain trees sheltering it from the tropical sun. Heaven help us if the students are assembled there the day one of the big boughs comes down.
--
Geoffrey Heard
Down and out in Rabaul in the South Pacific
