The End of English Camp

So the last day of English Camp went really well. We taught the kids how to play kickball, which was a bit harder than I orignally anticipated since they don't know the rules of baseball, and so we ended up with one kid kicking the ball into the outfield, the outfielders kicking it back, and both of them running like mad for the bases. After a few more explanations we worked out most of the kinks and the kids had fun. Then we broke off into small groups for an open discussion on whatever the kids wanted to talk about. Senegal being a muslim country, there were a lot of questions about US-Islamic relations such as:

"Why is America trying to get rid of Islam?"
"Why are you still in Iraq? When are you leaving?"
"Do you think that George Bush blew up the twin towers?"

et cetera. The discussion went really well actually, the kids were really eager to talk about the differences between our two countries and were very open with me when I asked them questions. These questions might at first glance look like the kids are anti-American, but they are just curious and I am the only American they know to ask these questions too. Most of the kids are pro-America, many want to live there and all want to know if it's really like what they see on tv. Do I really live like Jack Bauer? They were very dissapointed to find out that I do not.

Thursday night we baked the kids cookies and so Friday after the discussion we served them cookies and coke, congratulated them and sent them on their way, but not before a flurry of camera phones took pictures of us with the students and we all gave out our e-mail addresses so we could keep in touch. Just like regular summer camp as I recall.

Have done nothing of relevance this weekend besides watch movies and cook yummy food, the norm at the regional house when loads of volunteers are in town. I have put off site long enough and will leave this afternoon for home. Only two and a half more weeks of computer classes before I leave for London!!!