Learning about our students

After breakfast Betty, Perry, and I boarded the Cretan bus for the busy metropolis of Heraklion.  We split up so some of us could shop while others explored the Museum of History and enjoyed lunch.

The evening at Matina’s English school went well. We took turns going over vocabulary and the alphabet as well as having the students tell stories. They really seem to enjoy working with us and we are enjoying learning about their hobbies and interests. They seem to like all the same television shows, music, and hobbies as American teenagers.

Message of the Day:  “The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book.”

Cooperative attitudes

Another day in paradise, 76 degrees Fahrenheit and clear. This morning Betty and Perry took a trip to visit the Knossos Palace. What an educational adventure, learning about thousands of years of history. Lynn went to Iraklio in search of a Starbucks and was diverted to many other local shops in addition to her original quest.  

This evening it was back to Matina’s English school. The introductory period was over and we were working with the students on their lessons and quizzes. They are all serious about their work, but, at the same, have a sense of humor and a very cooperative attitude. We split the groups up a little so we had more opportunities for personal contact.

Message of the Day:  “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.”  - Henry Ford

Visiting with Martina

What a way to start our official work week - beautiful blue skies, a slight breeze, and a team of three with willing spirits. Perry and I went on a short morning adventure. We saw a monastery, El Greco Museum, beautiful countryside with citrus trees, and goats and sheep. A tour book could not have done better.

Lynn reported she went on a long walk that got longer than expected but was very enjoyable.  Just imagine sitting outdoors in a café and reading a book with uninterrupted time. Add to that visual picture, the pleasure of two cappuccinos.

Tonight we went to the English program school. It’s just down the road in Gazi. We met Matina the owner, director, and immigrant from New York who operates this student-centered program to assist students to pass needed English examinations. We had a wonderful time visiting with the students and Matina in English.

Message of the Day:  “To teach is to touch a life forever.”

Getting to know each other poolside

A bright sunny day on beautiful Crete, Betty, Perry, Team Leader, Sam, and I enjoyed orientation poolside at the hotel. We got to know each other, discussed our goals for the two weeks (experiential, personal; expand horizons, brighten future) and learned about the after-school English program we will be working on.

Perry, Betty, and I took a beautiful drive to Anogia Village for some shopping and local culture and had the opportunity to witness a bride and groom walking to the Greek Orthodox Church to get married. The entire village joined in.

Message for the Day: “Volunteers are not paid – not because they are worthless, but because they are ‘priceless’.”

Saying goodbye in Greece

We approached our final day at school with some trepidation and emotion. We have grown attached to these children with their wide range of abilities, characters, and quirks. The day began with a word search that soon became very competitive, with all the children wanting to complete their search first. There were three different searches on the go at once so some teamwork developed. Such was the enthusiasm to complete the task that it extended into two periods.

Just before third recess we were privileged to have a visit from the Deputy Mayor of Gazi and his secretary. They presented us with certificates thanking us for volunteering. The children from the junior class gave a dazzling performance of “Gangnam Style” led by Sam's daughters, Millie and Gabriella.

With the day coming to an end, I played hide and seek with our children. They were very good, helping me to learn their rules and telling me when it was clear to make a dash for base. Mary Sue was left the onerous task of packing all the books and supplies ready to bring back to the hotel.

As the children drifted off home, it was with a lump in my throat I bade them farewell. It has been a real privilege to spend time with them and both Mary Sue and I hope in some small way we have helped their English and encouraged them to keep working on it.

Looking at our team goals of philanthropy, opportunity, learning, and culture, we can say most definitely that these have all been achieved, but without the help, support, advice and general good craic of Sam, the experience would have been a lesser one. It is fitting to say what wonderful hosts the whole of the Handakas family have been, welcoming us into what feels like their home. Sas efcharistoume gia ola.

Message of the Day:

“May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.”

 - Irish blessing

Entry submitted by: Lesley

Another day in paradise

Another day in paradise, a hot paradise. We are grateful for AC. We showed photos and asked the students about our dinner and the traditional dancing in the reconstructed village up the mountain. They did some activities about clocks and time, acted out verbs, (which they enjoyed), and used the story cubes to practice expressing an idea or an event in English. Since today we had eleven students, the two groups were a bit large and kids in my group grew impatient while the more hesitant students hammered out a story. They shouted out responses to a very quick run through of addition facts. To complete the Gruffalo story experience, Lesley showed the class online images of the Gruffalo and compared them to the pictures the kids had made.

 In response to the "babyness" comment about the books we brought from the hotel dining room corner dedicated to Global Volunteers’ resources, we brought in a fresh supply of books which created some interest.

In the afternoon Lesley had a heavenly massage at a local spa and reported that well-oiled feet in flip flops makes for a very slow walk home. I took a nap.

We ate our delicious dinner of salad, meatballs, and French fries near the pool. Little granddaughter, Maria, once again provided great entertainment for the family members who were also enjoying the beautiful evening. Sam is an effective bridge between the hotel, the volunteers, and other guests. As others have mentioned in previous blogs, it is difficult sometimes to distinguish between employees and guests. How will we say goodbye to family, our Greek family?

Message of the Day: “Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.” –Nido Qubein

Entry submitted by: Mary Sue

A cultural night out

Mary Sue and I had prepared an outside scavenger hunt with a difference to start the day. We split the class into two groups and we each accompanied a group on the search for various things we had written on a list, such as something of a certain color, hard, soft, small, tall, rectangular, square, numbers 1-10, etc. When the group had found something, Mary Sue and I took a photo of it with the iPad.

After recess we completed the list and reconvened in the classroom to show our photos to the other team and the children had to say why it had been taken. This task prompted plenty of English speaking, observation, and imagination. One boy in particular in Mary Sue's group showed great imagination when for the numbers he suggested the children lay on the ground and form their bodies into the shape of the numbers.

Later we had them create little booklets from a single A4 page and we asked them to draw themselves, their favorite holiday, what they would like to be when they grew up, their favorite game, how they get to school, and their favorite subject at school (recess wasn't allowed). Again with this task, the children had plenty of opportunity to speak English with us as we went around the room asking them questions about their drawings. We kept the booklets and in the evening Mary Sue wrote a little review of them on the back cover to present them to the students in the morning.

In the evening Sam took us to the traditional Cretan mountain village of Arolithos where we saw houses as they would have been in years gone by. We had plenty of chances to apply our photographer's eye and take some pictures. The little church was especially pretty and the interior was beautifully painted. The square was laid out as it would be for a Cretan wedding or Christening celebration and as we took our seats for dinner, the lira and bazouki struck up the distinctive music. Throughout the meal various dances were performed with the audience of various nationalities given a chance to join in. I think we all enjoyed the dance to Zorba the Greek music and the "manly" dances of the Cretan "shepherds." There was much toe-tapping and hand clapping. Our wonderful evening was rounded off in the traditional way, with a raki nightcap. Another of our Global Volunteers Team Goals achieved: CULTURE.

Message of the Day: “Tell me something and I forget, teach me and I may remember, but involve me and I will learn.” – Chinese proverb

Entry submitted by: Lesley