Home visits

 I had a feeling what this owuld be like having dne the same n Rwanda but one can never get used to such need and poverty. We visited three homes, not too far away and the roads were muddy but not as trecherous as in Kilgali. The people were so happy to meet us and one father who soke English quite well kept thanking us for coming and hearing him speak English. He told us how he lost his house to the government when they wanted the land where many people lived.Its a confusing  story. The last home was a larger compud that was unfinished with exposed stairwells and many people who live in these unfinished areas and pay rent. We had to go up three dark and unstable stair flights with nothing to hold on to so Colleen and I each had a kid help guide us. The third floor is open area with doors leading to living spaces but what got me was the HUGE drop down to the bottom with no gate , no fence, no barrier and so many small children running around I actually asked if anyone fell off and they said one person did, I dobt you could survive that fall. Once back we resumed our schedule and today we had the younger kids. Umar, who is so smart and a great dancer seemed off today and did not want to play with the group during our break. Come to find he was juust plain hungry and had not eaten because he arrived after lunch and there was nothing left.  Iknew I had leftovers of rice which I gave to Olivier so Olivier was told aboout Umar and gave him the food. He returned smiling and feeling better. Then later on "my boy" Ansou we found out had not eaten today. He seems to fast on certain days for Islam but today was not a fasting day.  I insisted on he taking my half loaf of bread and a packet of peanut butter, He was relucant but I insisted,  There is REAL hunger here- very sobering. BUT no one complains,they smile and are so grateful for whatever they are given.  The pictures says a lot. Just be grateful for the little things like food!

look at the drop off the edge

Good day "off"

 The rain pelted us with morning and was SO loud I could not hear the program I was watching on this tablet. Colleen and Olivier were inable to go to church, so at 10, rain let up a bit and we took or trusty cab, with doors that creak, radiator that needs frequent water but an extremely competent driver. We met with the Harunaya teachers once again but at their school. The school is under the direction of Sierra Leone and the books are all supplied by them. We discussed state testing that resembled SAT and the old HSPA. It was a lively discussion and very productive, Then we came back to the center and met with Eri an Italian diplomat who is assigned here for the next 7 years. Interesting man , probbaly late 30 to early 40 who teaches martial arts and is a policeman as well. He and Martin met at the USA embassy and became friends, He offered to come to Mindleaps and prepare some pasta - hope he follows through.

The after changing into modest clothes we went to the Mosque. I had read about it as a must see in Conakry, It is the largest Mosque in Western Africa and fifth largest in the world, built by King Fisael and holds over 4000 people. Men and women are separated ( sound familar) women in the balcony,  A guard gave us a tour and of course we covered our hair and took shoes off. It was really spectacular, with plush carpet and beautiful tiles and ceilings. We left a few minutes before the call to prayer.  

Then off to MIMI for burgers and fries. Again aplace frequented by expats and visitors. It was good but we liked the Patio better for the atmosphere. Good conversation and we came back to Center and watched a movie together. They wanted to see the Stephen Curry documentary on Apple TV so Colleen has that service.  Just came back to the room which Colleen and I lovingly refer to as our cell.  We took photo of oour daily ration lol

We were unable to do the homevisit due to the rain and will skip our dance class on Tuesday to do the home visit.  Work tomorrow so time to call it a night

 Our ration of brad and water

Eri the Italian diplomat

Bats, Stars, clear skies and Blackout!

 Yesterday we had good classes and about 7 pm electric went out. This is common and wehave experienced this daily for about an hour. BUT this time was different.  The lights stayed out, AC went off and Martin and Olivier were forcedd to stay, The night guards were here as well. So while we waited for someone to come and fix it bc neighbors had lights so it was not a controlled outage- we took out chairs and looked up into the dark skies watching huge bats soar across the sky and with no lights we saw he stars clearly.

I went to bed around 10 pm and with my handy wind up flashlight was able to brush my teeth. I got into bed and ELECTRICTY came on!!! SO The night went ok.  I also caught a beautiful sky prior to the night and wanted to shw how Guinea is a country of extremes: The rain, Humidity, Beauty in night sky and day sky

I passed a pair of reading glassees to Ansou

I can be a boring teacher even here LOL

passed on a pair of reading glasses

word wall

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