Myself and another volunteer designed a workshop for secondary students on "Building Healthy Relationships" in hopes of raising awareness about domestic violence. Grenada and most of the Caribbean isn't well known for their healthy relationships, with violence and infidelity deeply rooted into the culture. It is going to take a drastic social movement and shifting in thinking for the rates of domestic violence, rape, incest, etc to decrease, but with each workshop and awareness drive we hope to begin that shift in thinking. We are here to bring about change right?
Today we introduced the Power and Control wheel to the students, gave them scenarios and had discussion about what they felt were the proper ways to express themselves in relationships. It was shocking to hear high school boys truly believe that hitting their significant other was absolutely acceptable because "they deserved it" and "thats just what you do". It was tough to swallow, but I tried my hardest to keep an open mind to the cultural differences while explaining the correct actions in relationships. It was a true test of my ability to bite my tongue.
After my tongue was bleeding from biting it for an hour (kidding), I rushed to my primary school to see my sweet innocent little angels in the 1st and 2nd grade. They seemed to be more out of control then usual, so I decided to have a bit of a "do whatever" day in the reading room. We played ABC memory and I read them two story books. They LOVED it. I worked with 4 children who are struggling readers. At lunch time the children swarmed my classroom as usual, wanting to color. I thought "ok, whatever, as long as they are having fun". At the end of the hour long lunch (i know what your thinking, an hour lunch is ridiculous), I had glitter EVERYWHERE, seven cards that read "Happy Teachers Bay" (still working on the difference in B's and D's) and books spread out across the floor. Thankfully, I'm the non traditional teacher that gets to send kids back to their normal classes when the bells rings. THANK GOD!
Oh yea....And they got ahold of my camera also. They LOVE taking pictures for themselves. Here is the aftermath. I love my life.
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