It was dark outside and just saw the whites of his eyes and the flash of his big smile through the slatted window of our bedroom. Gean had come to wish Tom goodnight. “I love you!”, Tom answered back. “I love you too!” came the reply and off Gean ran to his dormitory bed.
I have been very touched by how close these two boys have become, in spite of their language barriers. Gean understands a lot more English than he ventures to speak, and yet it has not hampered their friendship in any way.
I have been very touched by how close these two boys have become, in spite of their language barriers. Gean understands a lot more English than he ventures to speak, and yet it has not hampered their friendship in any way.
I sat the other evening with Gean and we decided that Tom and he are like brothers. We then discovered that they are both 11 and will both turn 12 in March. In fact, Gean is slightly older than Tom despite his small size. We have decided to take a hand print of each of them next to each other and repeat this every time they get to meet in the coming years. Gean seems excited that he might, one day, be the same size as Tom. Gean has such a beautiful nature, in spite of his past, and the two boys and their new friendship have really inspired everyone here.
After Mita and the kids spent the day painting the volunteer house, we were heading to Le Meridian for a well-deserved swim with the New Life Project kids. Hannah and Meg made sure they left their mark on the house but sadly, it was painted over!
Maya and I went to a “Board Meeting” with Kay and Sue under the dappled shade of the trees, right on the beach, and we brain-stormed English language teaching projects, as we watched a huge red ball of a sun drop slowly into the ocean. The children, including the kids from the New Life project, busied themselves in the pool and then on the beach, delighted by the baby elephant who is brought to play in the sand at the resort.
Today is the fashion show and the “Got Talent” competition. Tom has been asked to model on the catwalk, which he is looking forward. Apparently, I have to shimmy my way down there too, which will be a hoot!
The fashion show is to promote all the products that are made at the BTN factory, including the lovely tops and rice bags. It will be a lot of fun.
The evening was ended up with a jam session in the music room with Monchai and Mita (who is singing tonight at the show) and has one of the most beautiful Maori voices I have heard in a while.
No comments:
Post a Comment