First Week

Last week, our 2011 participants hit the ground running.  The transportation crew (above with participants)  taught them to ride the trains with ease.  Some of these volunteers have been with us for a few years. Some are brand spanking new. How much power does a volunteer give a person when you teach them something like this?  Our Nigeriennes, who have no trains in their country, felt pretty proud they could now get around on their own. If you can't do public transportation, they'll be happy to show you what they now know!

The next day we had a field day near New Trier.  Look how tired Nikki is after losing at soccer! Little did she know Katherine was about to lead them in a raucous game of Pit. CORNER ON SOYBEANS!

After Independence Day with the host families, Marwa and Mariama battled Marlia and Roukaya tit for tat on who had the best hosts. Parades, fireworks, boating, and barbecue. Then to work. Classes started on Tuesday.  While the girls have rarely, if ever, touched computers, they now have Facebook and e-mail accounts, love youtube, and can search for information. Their comprehension of English seems strong.  We have already noticed the benefit of being in our fourth year. Past participants have taught the girls a lot. For the first time, they could define meditation at the beginning of the first session. (Thanks Rahila!) All participants had learned to knit from past participants. (Thanks Assamaou and Hassira!)

They also had classes in leadership, community health and scrapbooking, started resumé writing, Tae Kwon Do, yoga, made tofu (yes, I said made) with the same ingredients available in Niger, visited 10,000 Villages to learn about fair trade, the Comer Center and the zoo.

Oh, and Roukaya apparently learned how to ride a bike! With such host families, anything is possible!