Monday, Monday

I didn't sleep much last night, probably due to the amount of work I was getting done and dozens of new insect bites I have accumulated somehow. I got up at seven and took a shower (sort of) then had my morning tea and a small loaf of bread, half of which I squirreled away for a midnight snack. At eight, I went out to talk to Michel the director here about some odds and ends before I departed for the camp. To my delight, he had been able to send across river to Bangui for a basketball and an English-French dictionary for the camp. He is also exploring the idea of having me teach English lessons for the staff here in the mornings, a task I would welcome. Eventually, Yaya and I got underway and stopped to have the ball inflated. Our one and one half hour commute was a little more challenging today after a heavy rainfall last night. We made it to the camp without serious incident and I proceeded to have the best day of my trip so far.
Today, my vision for the camp project came to fruition, at least in the minds of the students and teachers. Midway through the lesson, they became aware of the techniques I was using, and how we were incorporating the environment around them for English lessons. Most importantly, we began to shift from safe concepts like gardening and carpentry to their experiences in the camp.  I was so thrilled as the more capable speakers began to understand how they will be able to carry this concept forward after I leave. We learned a new term today, "peel the onion" as we began to go into more depth on small concepts rather than bouncing around from many. As an example, when we got to the activities they participated in the camp, one student told me she went to church. I then responded, "when you go to church, what do you do?" We spent an hour here learning new vocabulary, manipulating tenses, and practicing with each other. The internet discussion was even longer. The teachers recognized the grammar components we were reinforcing and they were quite relieved as they believed they would need to prepare large and intricate grammar lessons for the students once I left.
When I told the students they each would get to create their own story as refugees (before the war, during the conflict and here in the camp, and their future plans) they were visibly excited. We then began to talk about life in the camp and the future transition back to their homes. They loved the fact that we would bring conflict management concepts into the curriculum. It was a great day:

The "mall" in Zongo - I am not exactly certain what they sell in there though 

A couple of pals who escorted me from the road down to the classroom

Recess is recess!

Practicing rapid fire introductions - I later told them I would introduce them to speed dating. No one got the joke, but William laughed

Two weeks ago, this English Club had seven members, now we are looking for a bigger room

I love how the camp rolls with the landscape

Teddy got a basketball like he wanted, but maybe not the right team for this Lebron James fan. I am teaching him the psychology of the game and last week we learned smack!

Back home for some beef and bananas

As I said, it was a great day. Now I have some more writing to do, and tomorrow is my first 12 hour day in the local schools. I thank God for the energy he gives me and the trusting souls that have adopted me.