I’m currently sitting at the Education Center next to one of our awesome students, Mia.The center is going to close in a few minutes. As always, the fellows and I enjoyed spending another day with the amazing students that come to our center. We also had a new visitor, Wilson Li, today. We love showing people around the center so email us if you’re ever interested in visiting or possibly volunteering.
Though, I really enjoyed celebrating 4th of July by camping at Poste Lafayette, the highlight of my week was definitely yesterday. Yesterday, I woke up around nine and went for a run through Plain des Papayes and into a nearby town. I tripped at least four times –- maybe I should ask Austin to repeat his lesson on balance? – but I had great time running along the sugarcane fields on a typical, sunny day in Mauritius. On my way back from the soccer stadium, I began to feel exhausted and slowed down significantly next to a group of elderly women. One of the women smiled and told me that it was great that I was exercising and encouraged me to keep going. Her words of encouragement were exactly what I needed to jog home. The friendliness of Mauritians never ceases to amaze. Later on that day, Ben, BJ, and I were also invited to a fishing trip by one of our neighbors. Ben is allergic to fish and I’m a vegetarian, but I was touched by the kind gesture.
Not long after, the fellows and I took a bus to the center. Within minutes of our arrival, our teenagers began trickling in. One of our students came up to me and snapped a red Ben 10 slap bracelet on my wrist, which immediately made me smile.
Creative writing class was also fantastic yesterday. We discussed theme and plot, read a short story, and began working on our own fictional stories. The kids are constantly becoming more creative and I’ve really enjoyed reading everything they’ve been writing. After class, one of the students talked to me about his desire to improve his English conversation skills and become a better writer. The dedication of our students is so impressive. It’s been amazing to see all of them improve over the past month.
After Creative Writing class, I peaked into the music room and was immediately pulled inside. The students are choreographing their own dance to Beyonce’s Run the World (Girls) and invited me to join. In less than an hour, the students, led by one of our amazing dancers, Wendy, choreographed an entire dance to Beyonce’s song. After twenty years, I’m finally learning to dance! Learning zouk, sega, and the original choreography that our teens create has been absolutely amazing.
On an unrelated note we now have three stray puppies: Cappuccino, Espresso, and Caramel! After the death of Gunner, Austin’s pet rat, the puppies are nice additions to the ELI Africa house.
