Interview with the Kids

          Just to confirm as Mel stated yesterday, the children once again were on the path running towards us to give giant hugs this morning.  As they made their way from one end of the campus into our arms, we had to thank God for allowing us to work with some phenomenal children.  The children even offered to carry our backpacks, waters, and tangerines for us.  They made it about two steps each and then realized that our backpacks were too heavy.  We all agreed that a good job would be carrying our waters and tangerines.  Just as Mel and I were telling one another, “What sweeties! They are so kind.”  we glanced back only to see they were trailing behind us eating our tangerines!  We just began to chuckle - no worries there are plenty more where that came from.  I guess they were just trying to help us out, you know, making our load a little lighter.

  The children are really opening up, taking risks at saying something in English even if they aren’t quite sure - even if it means covering their mouth with their hand as they say it, whispering it, and then adding a little chortle after.    

            During tutoring this afternoon, Mel and I thought it would be fun to interview the boys.  The boys were so excited to be “famous” in America and they can’t wait to hear back from our viewers!  First, let’s introduce the young men we interviewed…

Introducing the interviewees from left to right. 

Edward: Very kind-hearted, smiley and sweet.  He always gives 110% and is not afraid to take a risk.  He also has a really good “I have no idea what you are talking about look.”

Amos: Also extremely kind-hearted and just a great kid.  He often whispers answers he thinks are right because he likes to be right.  He is very sweet and has a little competitive side to him. 

Noal: Amos’ older brother.  Noal always shows up in these massive puddle boots which Mel and I have to just smile at.  Noal loves to participate and is more competitive than his brother.  Today we learned a number roll for multiples of 2 and he was singing that chant as long as we could hear.  He loves to joke around and is also a very hard worker.

Shedrick:  His English is very good so normally Mel and I will ask him to translate.  (He helped out a lot with the interview!)  Shedrick always has a smile on his face and giggles about everything.  Mel and I definitely love being able to joke around with him.  Mistake on my part - I taught him how to make a pencil look like it is bendy and now he never stops… I definitely learned my lesson.  If anything, I taught him a lesson on perseverance because he could not get it for the longest time.  I am sure his teachers hate me as well…

1.      What is your favorite part of living in Africa?

a.     Yes, it is beautiful

b.    Lots of kids to play with

2.     What is your favorite thing to do?

a.     Cooking n’shima

b.    Playing football

c.     Playing with other kids

3.     What do you want to be when you grow up?

a.     Doctor, to help patients

b.    Teacher, to teach children

c.     Pilot, no reason

4.    If you could say/ask anything to our friends and family in America what would you say?  Participation is requested!  If you want to comment below we can relay the message to the kiddos.

a.     Greetings!

b.    How are you?  We are fine. (Side note: When you say “Hello!” here people often answer with “Fine.” Because they assume you were going to ask them how they were.)

c.     What do you wear?

d.    What do you like to eat?

e.    What do you like about America?

          In closing, these kids are so precious.  I definitely had one of those “I want to remember this moment forever” moments at church tonight.  One of the boys and a couple of the girls we tutor sat next to me at church.  I was able to share my hymnal with the kids.  I know they don’t know what they were singing, nor did they even come close to saying the words correctly.   As I reached the hymnal out as far as I could so they could see, they all leaned in intently to follow along.  Their voices were so beautiful even though they only caught one or two words here and there.  What a friend we all have in Jesus!

Thanks for reading and we look forward to sharing any responses with the kids!

Sending hugs,

Kelsi and Mel