The Debate club

 Today we had a rather lively and interesting class with the staff group. In order to focus on conversation we had two teams to debate Public school VS Private schools in Guinea. It turned into a robust converation and everyone despite the level of English  were able to participate, Ansou helped n the Private side and Olivier on the Public,  you will see Oliver who is so happy and smiling all the time got into it! Even Sekou said it was fun and he learned  a lot  and was far more confident speaking in English in front of everyone. Then our young kids came i and we know there are about 4 of them that are quite proficient in English so we turned the tables and had them teach the others. We did a readworks article on elevators.  It took me aback as I realized  and asked- none of them has ever beeen in an elevator nor have them been on a train or obviously a plane. I hope someday they are able to experience all of that.

GRRRRRR

debate

preparing for the private school side

morning dance class

Kids leading the class

A little night out

 Colleen and I had a good day with the classes. Helping them with vocabulary to use in the classroom for gentle and firm discipline and then we role played with Colleen and I being bad and disruptive students. Mind you the staff members in this class are very limited in English so this was a huge accomplishment plus it initiated a lot of laughs.

Last night Martin, Olivier and Colleen and I went to a restaurant called 09The Patio that caters to ex Pats and wealthier locals.  So it was burger sliders and fries night for me!  Even shared a chocolate mousse. My appetite not 100% so I actually did ot finish. I do ot know why the font got big lol.  Ready for dance class with Sekou!

so much for the weather app that said no rain until later on!  

August 1 already

Ansoumane surrounded by kids

new sheets!

 August first! hard to believe.  The rai returned today so we go to enjoy two days of sun,  I did a "wash" by hand and had to hang it inside it akes 3 days to dry!

Day started with dance class- we participate 3x a week. Its the only exercise I have gotten since I arrived. Sekou is so good and really is adored by the kids.  He is in or English class for teachers and today we worked on pronunciation. He has a strong French accent and its hard to get him to stop at the end of a word or sentence without adding "ah" on end like a french person. But the teachers work hard and try and we laugh as well. 

Today we had the one group of kids and we did a reading passage and also showed them a Disney cartoon about the Pied Piper because Ansounmane ( AnSou) is always surronded by the kids like a Pied Piper. AnSou is my "Eric" this year. But all the staff fee the same about this bright, personable young man. He does rap and dances and teaches English, His story is complicated as are most.  He does not know his own age but figures it to  e 18 or 19.  Originally from Sierra Leone. He does not know who is mother is, and his father  is not in the picture,  Lived in one room with an aunt and his sister( not same parents) until she married and the husband wanted Ansou out. So then he was on the streets and got caught in the bad life until Martin and Mindleaps brought him back. He had attended ML until he had to leave his aunt. He is a joy to teach and the kids truly flock to him like a pied piper.

Today A girl got sick in class! Her name is Fatima Ramadan I had no idea what was wrong with her, maybe an asthma attack. Staff came immediatly and Salif took her on his moto to hosptial. Ansou followed as well. Different here bc ML is an NGO and they can act for the parents in a case like this, it turned out to be asthma and she will be getting meds tomorrow.

Then one of the staff in our class I mentioned had a malaria flare up and did not return today,  Tomorrow we are going to a restaurant with Martin and Olivier! and we found a burger place reccommened by ex pats that we will try on Sunday which looks like a busy day.  We will meet again with the teachers from Harunaya and then do a home visit ( always humbling)) then come back  to change in order to visit the famous mosque, then burgers.  Martin is so much the gentlemen. I see here, similar to Rwanda experience there is no distinction from the boss to the cook, all treated equally. Today Olivier, and one of or staff students Djeinabou ( pronounced DJohn a Boo) were changing my sheets and the security guard Suma was washing my floor. Suma has also joined our English class.

Time for bed and new photos I wish I could add video but have no idea how

I scream you scream we all scream for ice cream!

 It is actually a lovely evening!! no rain, not too humid and Martin and Olivier took us on a walk to a ice cream store. The woman there was so lovely and her little baby adorable. Her brother was strickenly handsome- in my opinion. So we had a little treat but it was with no electricity as it was out for a while, but same back while we were still eating, I finally felt well enough to enjoy it.

Today classes went well, The staff members are at all levels and I can see and hear improvement in English already because we are totallydoing an immersion style class.

Yesterday during the teacher visit I learned they are mostly refugees from Sierra Leone where genocide did occur and is still a hot bed. One teacher shared that his mom was beheaded and anoher that he lost his aunt in a similar fashion. So part of our discussion was about moving on and at what price.  A subject worthy of more debate.

I wanted to mention that I really do not need moisturizer since the air is so laden with water, and I commented to Colleen ( and she agreed) that the people here have fabulous complexions!  So enjoy the photos

On another note just received an alert on my phone from State department of demonstrations in Conakry anddd to avoid certain areass. A bit disconcerting but we stay close and are never alone.

Tchotchke shopping and more

 Today I slept a bit better with a little help from Lunesta.  Colleen went with Olivier to church at 7:30. I stayed in bed.  At ten we had a wonderful meeting with teachers and administrators from the Harunaya English school- it is for Guneayn kids but English is the focus,  English is NOT taught in thhe public schools and they see a big need for it.  The school is not free but they offer several scholarships for Mindleaps kids. The school began in 2017 so it is fairly new. Colleen and I have one class of those students.  What impressed me most was the support they Admin( how unusual) give their staff and how much they appreciate what they do,  We discussed many topic including issues with discipline. 

We talked for three hours and could have continued.  We exchanged emails and a pletora of ideas.  Then it was time for tchotchkes

Martin and Olivier got us ( they came with us of course) cab similar to the one from airport, no frills indeed- or seat belts properlyworking. I was taking a video of the traffic when Martin warned me not to bc moto drivers and others can snatch it from/my hand.

We went shopping and I apologize to you all whom I always try to brng back a trinket because there is not much to be found.  I got a few things. We then crossed the street into a new world!  A posh hotel on the beach. We stopped to see the view and had a drink ( soda for me- stomach still not normal) It was first time we saw other White people. Many with small children and African nannys. On the way back we saw the huge, beautiful mosque that Conakry is famous for. We are going to try to make a visit but I need to wear skirt and head covering to do so. So is was a lovely day and NO RAIN!!! Amazing. Tomorrow it is back to work lol.

enjoy the photos.

director and founder of the school

teachers who gave up their one day off to meet with us

BEACH

 Principal of the school David Korama

Principal and admin

AT hotel lobby

Sof Shavoua

 End of our first full week. I really enjoy teaching the little ones and playing games   with them, they have quickly grasped the Simon Says concept and can now even get me          out!  We also love working with the staff. They are so tenacious and want so much to help these kids.  BUT the rain OMG no words can

 the courtyard flooded

describe the amout of rain that fell ALL day! it finally stopped about an hour ago. Colleen and I feel like we are in jail (LOL) and we are cell mates next door t one another, down to having our dailydelivery of brad and water!  The night guards make sure we are ok but I said to one of them " or are you making sure we are in our rooms!"  all in fun. We are glad we are here and have no control over the weather.  Tomorrow Colleen and Olivier are going to church - I hope to get    some sleep. The shil shul has not departed the premises as yet. Then we have teachers the the English school visiting us. Then if it is not torrentially raining Olivier is taking us shopping for local crafts.

Ashura

 Feeling about 90% today. Today all the staff and kids were dressed in their finest because, unbeknownst to me it is a Muslim commerative day when its the end os the lunar year and they fast. They all go to the Mosque on this day. But we had classes wth staff today,

Its raining in torrents as I type this. Its unbelievable.  I finally was able to take a hot a hot shower as they finally fixed tthe problem- it felt like heaven. Today Ansu and Salif gave Colleen and I a lesson in Su-Su check google  shared photos for the video.

Here are todays photos, one in particular was an unexpected shot that I really like

Tomorrow is a work day and Sunday we are meeting with Teachers from the nearby English school  That should be very interesting.

this is my favorite