Since we last wrote, we had a lot of celebration / closing events for Camp Ciwara. Highlights included...
1. The Prom (i.e. closing party for the Student Teachers from Sikasso), complete with a DJ, a photographer, slow dances, and soda
The Sikasso women dressed to the nines and we wore matching skirts and headscarves from our friend, the tailor (who still hasn't finished all of our dresses -- perhaps it's those zippers...)
Group Photo -- Sikasso Student Teachers, IEP Teachers, Interns, and Tubabus (Americans)
2. Camp Ciwara Graduation Ceremony and Celebration
Sory gets his camp certificate. Even though he is sometimes left alone in rooms while everyone goes outside for a snack, we like that IEP makes a concerted effort to include all types of students. Sory is a valued member of the community, and students take turns wheeling him home after camp.
3. Malisadio Performance (aka Hippo Play)
The legend is set at the junction of two rivers, one white and one blue. Notice the beautiful backdrop and flower garlands made by the students in art class (with our creative vision).
While washing her laundry at the river, a pregnant woman encounters a hippo who promises to befriend her unborn child.
The Traditional Hippo Mask of Mali
All of the Creatures of the River -- fish, frog, crocodile, and snake
The woman has her baby, and her name is Sadio. She becomes best friends with the hippo. Even when nobody wants to marry her because of this friendship, she stays true.
The story ends, and of course, there is dancing for all! (It just so happens that Koumba, the girl who plays Sadio, is the best dancer in all of Kati. She leads the boys, who are begrudgingly participating so that they can get their balloon hats.) 4. Celebrating Our Successes
During our evening stroll, we felt pretty cool because we kept running into people we know. For example, our "brother" Moise came by on a motorcycle and pretended he was going to throw a live chicken at us. Zoe screamed. She would like to point out that we had chicken for dinner. Perhaps this one, or the one in a cage in the kitchen (where the car is parked at night).
During our evening stroll, we felt pretty cool because we kept running into people we know. For example, our "brother" Moise came by on a motorcycle and pretended he was going to throw a live chicken at us. Zoe screamed. She would like to point out that we had chicken for dinner. Perhaps this one, or the one in a cage in the kitchen (where the car is parked at night).
Anyway, we're feeling really good about our work, and the community feels really caring and cohesive. We also ran into Koumba on our way home, who said that her mother wanted to see us. So, off we went to see her family. We walked through her backyard first, where they had many turkeys, a dog, kittens, and three donkeys. Then we sat awkwardly in the living room (or maybe kitchen?) while her mother asked us to bring Koumba to the U.S. Eventually, we had to dance for them, because those Malians love to see white girls dance. Also, Koumba is quite a dance teacher and she is responsible for many of our new moves.
Koumba and her family and us (thanks to self-timer)
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