Interview with Mongezi Mtati

Hey everyone,

Here is a recent interview from the Tech4Africa conference. I talk about the role of technology in community education and how much I've been inspired by the students at LEAP and all of my friends/work partners in SA.

Enjoy!

Sara

Check us out in the NY Times!

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/09/world/africa/09safrica.html?_r=2&src=me&ref=homepage

Creating an army of crafters!

So, I am slowly getting more comfortable teaching at LEAP. It was difficult at first because I walked into a culture of very traditional chalk to the board teaching and didn't understand where I fit in. After trying that type of teaching for awhile I gave up (with the students' approval) and started feeling more free to teach the way I like- through projects and creative approaches.

The arts project that I featured in the last update was a hit and we have been asked to continue what we started, so we have formed a strong team of professional artists to come to LEAP on a regular basis. Now we are working with the kids to create a project around the theme of conviviality (the celebration of healthy living). They are then going to take these projects into the community to celebrate healthy living in Alex through theatrical performances and more. All of the costumes and set will be created and designed by our students. So many people just look at Alex for it's faults- violence and xenophobia. I have actually experienced quite the opposite. Every time I have been in Alex I feel that sense of community and togetherness that most communities lack, especially the upper class, fenced-in communities in Jo'burg.

I have been working a lot with the beadwork and fashion design groups. The kids are so excited to have this type of creative outlet. We require our kids to be at school from 8-5 Mon-Fr and 8-12 on Sat. Our arts program is giving the students a chance to apply maths and science in a new way. Who knew that you need both maths and science to create a necklace out of recycled materials? Counting, measuring and learning about the toxicity of glues and adhesives has made maths and science come alive in real ways.

I also love seeing the kids perfect their crafting techniques. As the kids started pumping out projects the Grandma McEwen in me made them redo and perfect their techniques until their handmade projects looked as good as store bought.

Next month some sustainable business developers are working with us to help us design our project for the long-term. So many of the artists have gained new inspiration working with our kids, so they have decided to make this a long-term effort. So watch out...creative teaching is on the loose!