HAWAII’S SCHOOLS
Continued
COURTESY OF MARYKNOLL HIGH SCHOOL
Maryknoll teacher Karla Brundage takes a break from teaching during her trip to Zimbabwe to feed the lions.
In December 2000, Karla Brundage left for Zimbabwe on a Fulbright Exchange, taking along her 7-year-old daughter, Asha. Her exchange partner, Themba Khumalo, joined the faculty at Maryknoll High School for a year. Teacher faces
Worlds of Wisdom
cultural challenges
in Zimbabwe
By Jan Arbaugh
Maryknoll High SchoolBrundage faced numerous dangers, which included AIDS, political turmoil and violence, and malaria. She would be a stranger in a culture where food, language and lifestyle were different.
Before she accepted the exchange, she spoke with Khumalo about the living conditions. Her concerns were very real but the challenge was more appealing.
She lived with Khumalo's wife and his four children, and over time she learned from her host, Berita, how to travel and live in this new country.
For her, teaching was the easiest part of her journey. Brundage was impressed with the students and their interest in learning. The education system in Zimbabwe is very different from that of America. For example, corporal punishment is used as a motivator. The students expect this when their behavior falls short of the norm.
For Brundage, seeing the death around her was particularly difficult. AIDS was prevalent in everyone's lives, whether they themselves had the disease or were close to someone who did. In the first month, Brundage attended three funerals. When she asked about the cause of the deaths, there were no answers, but she knew.
Amid all of this, she felt safe and happy. She became like sisters with Berita Khumalo, whose patience helped Brundage immerse herself in the life around her. She learned acceptance from her surroundings and formed bonds with many new friends.
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