Sports Day at Jardin Publique

Because it is summer school, BES wants to make sure that students have fun times and not just be in class.  Today, parents dropped off their children at the ‘Jardin Publique’, a large open facility with lawn and basketball courts and rudimentary playground equipment.  The oldest boys did not come; I suspect they attend only to perfect their English and wish for more intensive class time.

About twenty children partook.  We played some of the same games as we play in Canada… my version of Duck Duck Goose (Duck Duck Dinosaur / Duck Duck Airplane / Duck Duck Anything) and the Dragon Train game.  These kids are very competitive and love a good game.

It was hot, and I was thankful for a kiosk that sold Coca… a bargain here at 800 francs (equivalent of about sixty cents).  Ladies were cleaning up, collecting leaves, which you see in the large bags on their heads.

Cleaning leaves a full time job

Spes, one of the teachers, tells me that last year they had 80 students in summer school.  This year it is extremely low, with only 20.  There is still hope that more will come next week.  Public school is just ending today so more may show up. 

The atmosphere as a teacher is much different here.  Lahdia left early to pray (it is Ramadan); Claudine left for her sister’s dowry.  Eric came later to school.  In truth, this is working fine with the overwhelming teacher/student ratio! 

Emmanuel drove me back to the residence. On the way, we were stopped by police as one of the politicians was to drive through and no one can be on the road when that happens.  I snuck a picture as we were stopped before Emmanuel suggested that it was a bad idea.

It is now the weekend.  Gabriel, a teacher, is taking me to church on Sunday, and tomorrow afternoon I will go to see Livingston and Stanley’s meeting place with Emmanuel. 

Football.. a universal sport

Playing my name game

They love the swings