The power of a comma!

Yesterday we looked at commas: 

A woman without her man is nothing. 

A woman: without her,man is nothing.

Well today the students continued speeches and it morphed into something unexpected.  It was raw and deep, it was truthfull and painful.  It started as career vs traditional roles of women discussion.  Quickly the room was on fire as everyone had opinions and voices to be heard. The ideas of Muslim  men in the room and Christian  men and Muslim women and Christian  women . And my Jewish voice as well. The African culture coupled with modern times and young women who work so hard to be more than ... 

This respectful battle went on long after class was over and we were all better for it. I am sure everyone went home thinking  and questioning.  Isn't that what we strive for.  ? These young girls and young men can  create new traditions and dispel the roles that some felt were valid because it's in the Bible or Quran . We did not resolve anything ,which is fine, but they were heard and they listened . and I have great hope for their futures because they want it.

I loved the discussion and am grateful they trusted me enough to be open and honest 

T

the Great. Debate

See what i see 6am

 

Where the pavement meets the road

 Where the pavement  meets  the road the terrain turns into yellow and gold dust that covers your shoes. I love this place and that yellow dust all over my sneakers. The poignancy of being a minority  is not lost on me. I see it in the eyes and expressions of people I pass by. Children are amused,  whether it's my skin, hair, eyes or age. Every morning and every night  I pass an old man sitting  on the side of the road,  wearing a red baseball cap and talking to himself. He acknowledges me with a hand in the air. Everywhere there are vibrant colors : in the sky, in the clothes in the faces. I know I will leave and the dust will be washed off in a machine, my clothes will be washed in a machine,  I will order food on line and have pizza delivered. I will no longer be a minority.... or will I

Sunday is fun day

My second sunday here. Kids were teaching me traditional  dancing and some kids were playing guitar, others playing checkers and learning chess, others playing pick up sticks and other games. It do culminated at Gizimba using their  basketball court for an aggressive  staff vs students game. I understand  kids usually  win but today staff won.  Too rough for me!  Tomorrow  classes will start and my schedule will repeat.  Again beautiful weather.  I'm out of the loop with news but from what I hear I'm better off 

Ubumuntu!

The girls did a fabulous job dancing.   I posted a short video on FB. I didn't tape it all bc I wanted to  watch. So it was a late night for all. Today  was another great day.  I started with trying to join in the dance class. Of. Course embarrassing  myself , my head says sure I can do this and that but my body reminds me I have limitations. Nevertheless it was good exercise.  My class with julius was adverbs.  So I assisted and made up a game they liked bc i gave out stickers. then my senior kids. Great participation  with reading the bear that wasn't and discussion on identity. We also did the memory game. I'm going on a trip and bringing.... we decided next Saturday to have a girls session.  They loved the idea. Tomorrow  is fun sunday. No classes. I've been Here one week but feels longer.  The students are great even if cell phones are becoming an issue I think. Once again I repeat what I have said many times. That I get more from them than I can give to them.  Enjoy todays photos 

olivier and Caitlyn

in class

kevin

me in back

July 18. What a great teaching day

I began my morning by seeing my special student from two years ago , Belize! She has matured and is just a more lovely version of herself. Then I saw Patrick! The young man whose home I visited  and I use the photo of he and I walking down the road as my screen saver. So heartwarming  to see them again. Last evening Yves, insisted on walking with me. Every staff member teaches with such passion and love for the kids  and Yves is no exception. He also holds a management role as well as being a teacher. And each staff member has his or her story of refugee camps, having parents and grandparents  who experienced the genocide, and other personal stories of survival. Yves is one of 11 children and is a refugee who made it out of the camp and the only member; of his Immediate family to graduate  HS and earning a salary, which he uses to help them. There is a photo of him in this blog tonight , in his dance class. Then there is Kevin. His English is good enough to debate issues with me. We got into some deep conversations about womens roles in Rwandan society. I was included in a staff meeting although it had to be translated  for me. I was quiet but later on offered some  ideas on kids being late to class. I used the Guinean idea and told them to blow a whistle,  ! Tomorrow night is the big festival. In class we are working on vision boards. My last class today was with two staff members Yves and Manguya. They did an outstanding job reading and learning new words. Enjoy todays photos. 

patrick 

Yves

Sandrine

Fediline

Raymond

a wedding at hotel. Bride in red groom in white

Belize

Yves

Busy busy day

Today I. taught three classes and one  on one tutoring.  I was busy! 14 girls were rehearsing for the big  Ubumuntu arts and  dance. Riding the bus with the staff and kids is always a party on wheels. Unfortunately , they were unable to rehearse at the venue so back in bus to center. I made arrangements for attending Shabbat on Aug 2. The rabbi is in Kenya.  I. Adding photos others took of my arrival and todays shots that I took.