Teacher Day

On October 12, 1981, Samora Machel, revolutionary hero and president of the Republic, officially sanctioned the ONP, national teacher's union, declaring educators instrumental agents for building the new nation and molding the new man. During that period of national conflict teachers were often the front line, representing the Marxist-Leninist government, and were often targeted by the opposition and even killed during the years of destabilization. Nowadays teaching is a safer profession but teachers still enjoy high status throughout the country. Every October 12th they are nationally recognized, and coming from America where there is no Teachers' Day, this was a special treat. Teachers' Day is a very big deal: our colleagues at school have been saving part of their salary for the past six months for this event. All the men got fancy ONP polo shirts and the women ONP capulanas (African wrap cloths) to wear on our day. The celebration consisted of all
the normal holiday events and confusion, including canceling school even though we're in finals week. We paraded through town, carrying banners and singing Teachers' Day songs, ending in the plaza where officials read speeches praising teachers and our youth group performed a particularly successful comic sketch about illiteracy. Everyone in town was very happy for us, congratulating us on our special day, many trying to get us to invite them to our feast. One of our favorite students presented Janet with a pair of lightly-used blue pumps she had bought for the occasion, which Janet proudly wore, despite developing nasty blisters. At our party we got to meet many of our colleague's wives and adorable children. We ate, danced and drank, us not as much as the others. At the end Janet was asked to cut the Teacher Day cake, a special honor here in Mozambique. Considering how hard we have worked as teachers this year, we appreciated this day's worth of
recognition.