Monday – week two

After such a nice Sunday and a great sleep, one would think I was all set for Monday. Ah, not quite! Teaching both a sewing class and an English one were on tap. With having no internet, my planning did not happen as hoped. And I was still bemoaning the lack of things I could have brought. And I still didn’t know how to get to the girls’ center on my own. One of Feluine’s nieces came for me and we headed out. I thought I would take directions and hopefully be able to figure it out. After about the 9th turn, I was hopelessly confused and feeling inept. We arrived and I had a brief chat with Feluine, which helped.
The girls have a 10:00 snack break so sewing class would start after that. The snack break was instituted recently as the staff noticed that a number of girls came to school with little or no breakfast and it was hard for them to pay attention. So they are provided with a baguette filled with a cooked vegetable. Today was mushy peas. There is also a drink and a couple neighbor women come in to sell their wares like peanuts or oranges. Another great program which meets a need.
After break, I gathered with the sewing girls and we got to work practicing some stitches – using a backstitch to make a good strong seam and a herringbone stitch to do a hem. Luckily I’d been able to get a few Wolof words to help explain. Most did well but there is still much to learn. They look so cute in their white blouses and black skirts – most with their heads wrapped. They are eager to learn and I was pleasantly surprised by how well it went. Confidence boost number one. Really, God showed up and bailed me out.
I had a break so another girl took me back to the house but Feluine asked her to go a more direct route and this time the notes and drawn map were successful! I marked landmarks such as the blue pillars, or the bakery with the burned looking top, or the radio tower, or my personal favorite, the red corrugated tin and woven mat corner. I drew a better map as soon as I got back, had some lunch and enjoyed a break. Then it was time to go back. Could I do it on my own? Okay – let’s give it a shot. Worst thing that could happen was I’d get lost, curl up into a crying ball and hope a call to Feluine would find me. However, none of that happened!!! I made it all by myself! Boost number two! It’s about a 15 minute walk with several turns but I have them all clearly marked now – by red tin and green towered mosques, brick road or sand.
My last class that day was a small one. Four young women would like some help with English so we are meeting 3 times a week. One of the women is Dana, Feluine’s assistant, secretary, and right arm, as I was told. She is lovely and I’m enjoying getting to know her. This small class was rather perfect as it is small and I know all their names. It really helps to have them write their names as two of the girls are called Rosalie and Helen and I didn’t come close when they were pronounced for me. Bad ear! We started with the typical Hi, how are you? kinds of statements and some vocabulary. It’s an engaging group. Boost number three.
Daba walked back to the house with me but I pointed the way and then she could correct me if I was wrong. But, again, I did it.

I enjoyed a quiet evening and did a small load of wash. The washer has no spin cycle so good old hand wringing had to do it. There is a clothesline up on the roof. The roof is like a construction zone – pieces of rusty rebar sticking out all over and blocks and a few boards. I did make it to the clothesline, unharmed, and pegged up my clothes. There is a great breeze up there so they should dry by tomorrow.
I am so thankful for such an encouraging day. It meant a great deal to not feel as quite as inept!