• Home
  • About us
    • Our mission
    • Our people
    • In the news
  • Our Projects
    • Experiential Learning Initiative
    • The Mangrove Project
    • ELI STEM
    • ELI WOOFF
    • Endemic Roots
    • Reefs
    • ELI Africa Foundation
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Join our family
  • Dogs Stories
  • Blog
  • Contact us
  • Donate

Loving to Learn

June 28, 2011 by Cédric in Uncategorized

Another beautiful, refreshing morning in Mauritius. After yesterday’s day off, I think we are all prepared to jump back into another week. Last weekend was so encouraging, and we all feel like we are starting to make a difference in these kids’ lives.

Probably one of my highlights was the institution of a new “You Teach Us!” period at the end of every day at the center. Many kids have to leave a little early anyway to catch the bus home for dinner, so now for the last half hour we let them teach us Creole, sega dance, or anything else. This is where we are really building the lasting bonds. The kids enjoy teaching us insulting phrases to say to the other fellows, and the girls are forever entertained by how to teach us ladies to move our hips the ‘proper’ way, working us into a sweat. Even more flattering, they are convinced I can dance, which I have never heard before in my entire life.

Another exciting moment was when a couple boys presented the female fellows with roses, and the girls gave us bracelets. It was so adorable! The roses now adorn our dinner table and add a little beauty to our kitchen. In return, I have introduced the silly band fad, which I was surprised had not yet reached Mauritius. As an extra incentive to attend my science lessons, I let them take a new one everyday.

I am pumped for this week! I went shopping for some missing supplies yesterday, and finally found low-voltage LEDs, red cabbage, and magnets (in a fishing store, of all places). Now I can do some of the experiments I am most excited for. I am realizing just how quick these kids pick up concepts, despite never before having science classes: they can newly recite the scientific method, explain the conservation of energy and momentum, and they just balanced their first chemical equation! I can’t wait to get them started on their own science fair projects.

Today is going to be a busy day. I am teaching a guest class at one of the colleges, then quickly getting to the Center for my normal lessons. Also, today I hope to hang the curtains for my lab!

Tweet
Share
Pin it
Previous StoryThe Happy Center Next StoryThe Past Week

Leave A Reply: Cancel Reply

(this will not be shared)

(optional field)

No comments yet.

The sidebar you added has no widgets. Please add some from theWidgets Page

About us

Our mission
Our people
In the news

Our projects

Experiential Learning Initiative
Eli STEM
Endemic Roots
ELI WOOFF
The Mangrove Project
Reefs

Get involved

Donate
Join our family

Get in touch

ELI Africa
Meldrum Street, Curepipe
Tel: +(230) 6983610
Email: contact@eli-africa.org

© 2018 ELI Africa