Lauren here! So last week we had our big fundraiser event and it went really well! We had a lot of people show up and we were able to promote our organization. Shout out to Kelvin who stayed at our house that night and then made us the most amazing French Toast!! Then Bryan, Kelvin, Brittany and I all headed to the beach to frolic in the water and relax. We were going to head to the south of the island on Sunday, but we decided to take the day to visit the beach again. Then Monday the work started again, I went to Brittany’s art class where we started working with chalk pastels.
Tuesday was my day to teach. I have had a lot of fun organizing my classes and finding fun things to do. Tuesday I started with a game called Minefield where the students have partners and one partner is blindfolded. Half the class stands in the “minefield” and acts as obstacles. Then the partner has to lead the blindfolded partner through the minefield without touching them. It is meant to teach communication, as directions have to be very precise. Stop, go, left, right, duck down and walk, they have to be very direct or the person will run into the obstacles. The students loved it! We had a great time weaving in and out of the people in the minefield. We then went inside and I talked about the food groups and the new concept of the “food plate.” My goal is not to overload them with information, which is why I like to plan some sort of activity that teaches a life skill.
I have been consistently going to Brittany’s art class, getting back in touch with my inner child. We read Little Red Riding Hood and the students project was to interpret the passage in their mind and then draw it with chalk pastel. The interpretations varied and were really neat! Shout out to Kevin and Rayhaan who have hung out with us after class while we are waiting on the car! The class has been really fun and Brittany has been doing a great job teaching.
Brittany and I cooked dinner the other night. This is a big deal! Our regular chefs, Bryan and Lindsay, deserved the night off, so we took over the kitchen. We kicked everyone out, took some tips from the others, and blasted some music. While dancing in the kitchen may not be the best idea, we chopped those tomatoes, boiled those beans, and kneaded that flatbread. The pressure cooker hissed, knives were flying over vegetables, and dough was softening in the glory that was our kitchen. Our final display consisted of beans with onion, pepper and tomato, a lovely cucumber salad, and some delicious flatbread. Our group was thoroughly impressed with us. We might even be rotated into the schedule for cooking! Seriously, our flatbread was a hit. I have to complement my cooking partner. Brittany, it was an honor to share this experience with you, I hope we make it happen again soon!
Yesterday we went to visit the American Embassy in Port Louis. We met with a woman there who serves as a management officer there. We talked with her about the role of an embassy in a foreign country and also promoted our organization so that we could possibly partner with them in the future. Lunch consisted of a traditional Indian wedding dinner. It was seven curries and chipouri. You are supposed to eat it with your hands, which was easy enough with the chipouri (a sort of flat bread) but when you have to use the rice, eating becomes a challenge. Kelvin, Vikay and Michel all attempted to teach us how to make a gooey rice ball that is easy to eat, but while Bryan picked it up quickly, I struggled. I was determined to make a beautiful gooey rice ball, so I kept eating until it was mission accomplished.
This weekend should be really fun! We have compiled a list of things we want to see while we are here, so this weekend we are headed to the south for an adventure. We will be visiting the Crocodile Park, Alexandra Falls, Plaines Champagne (where we will pick some guava!) and Grand Bassin. Grand Bassin is a lake in a crater and there are a lot of temples surrounding it. I am told it is the sacred place in Mauritius.
Until next week!
