CHALLENGES & TREASURES

By Mary Lou Howard
October 2000

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One year ago I came to Mawangmiao, Guiyang, China, to teach English at the teachers’ college. It has been a grace-filled year, not without its challenges, but always with its subsequent treasures. The students are a joy to teach. They work hard and are anxious to do well and gain a certificate; to have a certificate means they can get employment.

Louise Malnachuk, a nurse/midwife and a Scarboro lay missioner since 1981, has taught English at the Beijing Language and Cultural University in China. Louise has also worked in administration and promotion of Scarboro Missions here in Canada. Now back in China, she is teaching English at the medical college in Guiyang. Louise Malnachuk, a nurse/midwife and a Scarboro lay missioner since 1981, has taught English at the Beijing Language and Cultural University in China. Louise has also worked in administration and promotion of Scarboro Missions here in Canada. Now back in China, she is teaching English at the medical college in Guiyang.

Some of them were channelled into teaching because they did not have the marks for the career of their choice. There are also very few avenues towards technical or trade schools and the society does not value this type of education at present. Yet they tell me they will try and be good teachers and help their students.

I believe them to be earnest in that wish. For some it is hard, since teaching is not what they wanted. They are stoic by nature and used to bearing up under difficulty. In Mawangmiao, the majority are from the countryside and come to school at great expense and sacrifice of their parents.

During this year, I taught 60 Teacher College students who have a major in English and must pass it in order to graduate. Together we explored health issues such as AIDS, smoking prevention, and dental care; we discussed poems and stories of human interest from around the world; we talked about nature, love, values and hope. We had fun learning North American songs which they really enjoy. And they taught me a Chinese traditional flower song which they invited me to sing with them (in Chinese) at the New Year school performance.

In this milieu, they learned new vocabulary, improved their comprehension and speaking to prepare them for the final year of their schooling which begins this fall. In addition to this, about 15 additional hours a week were given for private tutorials to those students in difficulty and those wanting more challenge.

Louise Malnachuk, a nurse/midwife and a Scarboro lay missioner since 1981, has taught English at the Beijing Language and Cultural University in China, Louise has also worked in administration and promotion of Scarboro Missions here in Canada. Now back in China, she is teaching English at the medical college in Guiyang. Louise Malnachuk, a nurse/midwife and a Scarboro lay missioner since 1981, has taught English at the Beijing Language and Cultural University in China, Louise has also worked in administration and promotion of Scarboro Missions here in Canada. Now back in China, she is teaching English at the medical college in Guiyang.

I also taught two Middle School classes (11-14 years of age), totalling 120 students, on how to listen and speak English better. They live mostly in Guiyang, are from one- and two-children families, enjoy a different social culture and have far more sophisticated expectations. Yet they are adolescents not sure of where they are going and very impressionable.

Teaching this group was a far greater challenge in that the classes are too large and the resources slim. These students are easily distracted and have even less grasp of English. However, we, too, explored pioneers in China and Canada, how they lived and the challenges they met. We also sang songs and solved puzzles together to improve their English-speaking and comprehension.

I look forward to the coming year teaching two third-year classes in preparation for graduation, and continuing my Middle School teaching.

Scarboro lay missioner Sr. Jean Perry, of the Sisters of St. Joseph, teaches English at a university in Changsha, China. Scarboro lay missioner Sr. Jean Perry, of the Sisters of St. Joseph, teaches English at a university in Changsha, China.

“As a Christian working in China and trying to live Gospel values, this is one area where I feel I can make a contribution. When asked, I readily share with the students my values and life choices, which may be contrary to what they are hearing, especially concerning the drive to make money. I gently challenge some of the negative aspects that the new open market economy is introducing. We continue to learn.”

Scarboro lay missioner Sr. Jean Perry, of the Sisters of St. Joseph, teaches English at a university in Changsha, China.

“As I begin my second year in China I realize that...the difficulties are overshadowed by our reason for being here, and that is, to respond to the needs and opportunities of the moment and to allow our Christian presence to speak for itself...God’s spirit is at work in Chinese hearts and Chinese society and I look forward to the opportunity to journey with them wherever the Spirit leads.”

Karen (far left) at a meeting of the parish coordination team working on preventative health care for children. Itacoatiara, Brazil. Karen (far left) at a meeting of the parish coordination team working on preventative health care for children.
Itacoatiara, Brazil.

Karen Van Loon served for four years in Itacoatiara, Brazil, training and accompanying community leaders in preventative health care for children and pregnant women. As a result of this experience, Karen felt called to return to Canada to work in Scarboro’s Justice and Peace Office at issues such as international debt which have a direct link to poverty and a lack of health care and education.

“Our mission is a continuation of Christ’s who came that all may have life and have it in abundance. Health as wholeness, fullness of life for all, depends upon political, economic, social and environmental relationships that are just. This is the call which inspires me and in which I have been privileged to share and grow with the people of Brazil.”

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