A young woman talks to us about her time at a school in The Gambia. About their beautiful experiences, but also about their limits that have been reached.
Schalksmühle/Gambia – Maria Schwabe comes from Schalksmühle, studies in Münster and is currently in Gambia. The reason: an internship abroad that she completed as part of her studies. In Africa, the 23-year-old works at primary schools for three months, helping to advance Uwe Beckers’ project from Krefeld. She spoke to Sarah Reichelt about the reason for her stay in The Gambia, the local conditions and why she wants to become a primary school teacher.
You are currently doing an internship abroad in The Gambia. Why did you decide to do this?
Since I’m studying English primary school teaching, I have to do an internship abroad. Since Western countries were too boring for me and I wanted to get the most out of this opportunity, I decided on Africa. When I discovered Uwe Beckers’ project, I applied straight away.
How did you find out about the school there?
I became aware of the school through the center for teacher training in Münster. Recently, they have been sending students from the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität (WWU) in Münster to Gambia.
What are your duties on site?
I teach weekdays at one of the now two schools involved in the project. There I teach German and math to the children in the first grade and also support the seventh and eighth graders in German lessons. The main challenge is the preparation. Since materials such as worksheets or posters are missing, they first have to be produced – always considering whether all the children have colored pencils to color in or whether there is enough printer paper. Therefore, my job is also to create lesson plans and materials.
How long have you been in The Gambia?
I arrived at the end of March and will be staying for three months.
What have you learned so far?
Much! Since the local teachers only know strict frontal teaching, I can express myself creatively here and apply my own methods – everything is better than just copying from the blackboard. I also learned to be flexible. I had to quickly discard the German punctuality here. There is also a lot of togetherness here. People are so cordial with each other and nobody is excluded or discriminated against. Everyone is always together, dancing, singing and helping each other. I hope I will take this openness and cordiality with me to Germany. Contrary to this, however, the bad sides are also here. Children are beaten, dogs are kicked and there is a lot of poverty because of the lack of education. It’s horrifying to see, but it also teaches me to be thankful and appreciate my Western living conditions.
You say that you and the other students have also learned something about themselves. What is this exactly?
When you are here, you often reach your limits. You have to adapt and be open to the culture and the people to feel comfortable. Everything here is different. I had to put a lot of fears aside – with the cars that no longer have a technical inspection in Germany, I have to drive a taxi here every day, with more people than seats. It’s nice to learn about yourself that you can adjust to the chaos here and feel comfortable.
How does the stay help you for your future job as a primary school teacher?
The conditions here are poorer than in Germany. If nobody has an eraser, they erase with a toothbrush. We have to be careful that the children don’t use razor blades to sharpen. Due to the lack of curricula and materials, I am much more focused on the content and can be creative. I can try things out and see exactly what the children need. That will certainly help me in Germany to break through rigid structures and to respond individually to my children.
Do you miss your home?
Not yet. I feel so good, always have something to do and I’m never alone. There is almost no time for homesickness. Nevertheless, I wish every day that my family could experience what I experience here. Describing this is often difficult.
They have a 101-year-old grandmother in Schalksmühle. What do you think of your internship abroad?
We have a very close bond and it’s hard not to see her for so long. But she thinks it’s great that I see the world and do something good with it, and she supports me. She is very interested in other countries and must be eagerly awaiting what I have to say. Warm greetings!
Why do you want to be an elementary school teacher?
As cheesy as that sounds, children are more of a future than anyone else. The basic building blocks are laid and even if you are still very young, I bet everyone can remember their elementary school days. It is therefore all the more important for me to give good lessons and to prepare children socially and in terms of content for life. In addition, I really enjoy working with children and I am surprised every day.
Are you socially committed overall? Did you ever do something in this direction before the Gambia project?
Before Gambia I already worked at two elementary schools. During the first Corona year, I had a learning sponsored child and supported and looked after him during this difficult, school-free time. After graduating from high school, I was already in Uganda, where I helped in a after-school care center for girls.
What would you like to say to people who might be thinking about something similar?
Dare! In the end, you usually only get in your own way and you get to Africa faster than you think. Any help is welcome here. I can recommend everyone to get out of their comfort zone.
What else is important to you?
None of this would be possible without Uwe Beckers from Krefeld, who has already set up two schools here in Gambia and is like a father to every student. With incredible commitment and never-ending visions of the future, he builds classrooms and fountains and looks for the best teachers in the country.
Project by Uwe Beckers
Anyone who would like to support with donations in kind or a sponsorship can find out more about Uwe Beckers’ project on the Internet at www.schulprojektgambia.org. Donations can be made to the following account: Sparkasse Krefeld; IBAN: DE24320500001063445827, BIC: SPKRDE33.
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