A Very Sad Day

I woke up to some sad news, and things did not get better until I reached the camp.  When I opened my email today, I saw a message from a former colleague, Marjorie, that a mutual friend had passed away. Shirley had been the departmental secretary at Akron for many years. She was very kind and patient, and the department sorta flowed around her decency. She never got pulled into things and always spoke well of everyone around her. She was a second mother to many of us, and we knew she was absolutely dedicated to her own family. I understood the term "salt of the earth" when I met Shirley:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ohio/obituary.aspx?pid=174996831

I was thinking about Shirley when I wandered out into the compound drinking my morning tea. I was looking for our driver, Yaya, so we could leave for the camp. I didn't see him so I asked another driver, Julius, if Yaya was around. He said no and that he would be taking me to the camp. I am still not sure of everyone's schedule here, bu there was something in Julius' eyes that made me ask more. When I did, in a mix of English and Swahili, Julius told me that Yaya's infant son had died. I sighed, poured my tea on the ground, and had a very somber ride to the camp.

To be honest, it was a very mixed day. After I had read about Shirley, I went to the conference room early (7am) for my first English lesson with the administrative staff here. It was a fun lesson and we laughed a lot. I was amazed they were willing to come in early to work with me. I will continue with them on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. 

When I got to the camp, I was pleasantly surprised to see that we were moving our classes and the English Club into the new primary school. 

I was excited to be in the new facility, being christened here by Teddy with the dual American/Central African Republic flags. I couldn't wait to write on the brand new blackboard!

I have reached some good problems here - the lessons are gaining popularity and we are getting more diverse students, particularly younger children who are reluctant to go to the primary school. 

We have gone from seven students to 57 in two weeks. To deal with the numbers and differing skill sets, I start the lesson with everyone and do a basic lesson. Once I have repeated it a few times, these five student leaders then take the younger students out in groups of four or five and continue the lesson giving them more time and individual attention. I stay in the room and expand the lesson for the more advanced students. These bright young people are (from left to right) God Bless, Alban, Michael, Adolphe, and Joseph. Teddy, Saint Fort, and Juliet (the English Club leaders) are helping me train them and others. This is the beginning of the model we hope to build to guarantee sustainability once I depart.

Practicing her numbers on the school porch!

The children sang their ABC song for me today and I smiled but thought of Yaya's son. Sometimes I wonder why I left the third world several times, because all I can do is think about getting back once I leave. I don't romanticize things and I am more than comfortable in the most modest environments. Maybe it's the children that have been lost in Jamaica, Yemen, Rwanda, Tanzania, and now the DRC. I don't despair their lives,  for their dreams and ambitions are as beautiful as they are large. They love their families and they laugh and sing, and accept me and others unconditionally. It is their loss, so often avoidable, that tears me down I think. I don't fear many things, but I fear seeing Yaya in the next few days. I have no idea what to say or do for him. No idea.