When Ngubo Ndaba, an exchange teacher through the Fulbright program, arrived at Islesboro Central School to take over the duties of math teacher Tom Tutor for a year (WWF Feb 2005), it was on one of the coldest days of January 2005. A Maine winter is something to get adjusted to, especially if you’re coming from an African summer, and Ngubo was taken by surprise as to just how cold it was. He said preparing for winter temperatures didn’t even cross his mind while in South Africa – a state of affairs that was clearly apparent to Islesboro teachers who quickly had to find Ngubo a coat, gloves, and boots to replace his windbreaker and loafers. How did Ngubo endure his chilly island winter, and now that he’s been through a spring and summer, what does he think of island life?
Ngubo was always homesick in those early days, especially since his wife and children were still in South Africa. He was cold all the time and certainly wasn’t equipped for maintaining a house that had a wood stove. Tom Tutor, in whose house Ngubo is living, had given him instructions before he left for his teaching assignment in South Africa, but keeping up with the wood stove was challenging. He also didn’t know the first thing about cooking.
In both instances, the residents of Islesboro came to his rescue. Cooking classes were set up and community women taught Ngubo the basics. Wood stove management was handled by the men in the community. Ngubo gradually became acclimated to the Maine winter and especially enjoyed sliding on the snowy slopes of the local golf course.
At first, Ngubo was very nervous about teaching math to Islesboro Central School’s middle and high school students, but now he is much more confident, enjoying teaching classes and interacting with his students. Students at Islesboro Central are learning, and like having Ngubo as a teacher, although they all say they had to get used to his accent.
The students at Islesboro Central made it easy for their new teacher, showing patience and acceptance of him as a respected educator. Also, many students would stop by Ngubo’s house over the weekend, to visit and cheer him up, which Ngubo greatly appreciated.
Ngubo says the ferry was particularly difficult to get adjusted to. At first he was afraid of the water and riding across the bay, especially on a rolling sea, was unnerving. The time schedule and ferry lines were confusing; but after being left on the mainland one evening, he soon became ferry savvy and hasn’t been left behind again. He now goes to the mainland about twice a week.
Spring rolled into summer and Ngubo’s family arrived on Islesboro. His wife, Zonke, and their two sons, Phumi (4), and Mila (ten months) came to Islesboro on June 10, staying until they left to return to South Africa on Aug. 29, leaving Ngubo to finish his teaching commitment at Islesboro Central School.
Ngubo wants to extend his heartfelt gratitude and thanks to the people of Islesboro who made it possible for his family to join him. It is a time, he says, that he and his family will never forget and always hold close to their hearts.
While Ngubo’s family was here they enjoyed a typical island summer. The children loved the water, and had many play dates at the beach. The family was invited to many island homes for dinner, took several long boat rides in the bay, visited Baxter State Park and went camping. Ngubo’s son Phumi especially relished the ferry ride and enjoyed his island summer so much that he didn’t want to return to South Africa when it was time to go.
Zonke, who is also a teacher in South Africa, was also taken with island life. She made many friends while on the island, and even joined them in their “training pursuits” – bike riding and running. These were particularly different lifestyle activities to Ngubo and his family, as the only time in their village people ride bikes or run is for transportation purposes. Zonke celebrated a birthday while on Islesboro and was treated to a surprise birthday party organized by her women friends, creating a memory she will cherish.
When he first arrived, Ngubo was impressed with the friendliness of the community, and he continues to find people warm and caring. He wishes to thank community and school personnel for making him and his family feel welcome and a part of island life.