The third day in Borbash/Bel village started off normally. Bolot ( host family’s son and youngest child) was finishing up his final year of high school and had exams on this day. He did not wake up for the morning jogging ( I discovered the reason later). Gary also did not join the run and I can not remember why. I decided to head out on my own and repeated the same course as the two prior days. I was relieved I found my way back to the home-stay, as I hadn’t really paid attention the previous 2 days and just followed Balot.
Miraj was again supposed to take us to the school in Borbash (about 3.5 km away), but we ended up catching a ride with Sharif (host father) all the way to the Information Center (where the classes were held). Along the way we picked up granddaughters Aseema and here sister Aitigul. It was a crowded ride. I brought with me the jump ropes we purchased the day before and also a bag of chocolates from the USA that I had brought with me for the kids. It was a crowded ride, but fun.
The morning lesson was standard with Kunsulu doing most of the teaching. All four volunteers were present an we aided in the conversational part of the lesson.
Part of the mission of the youth club is to expose the children to new ideas, concepts, and expose them to life outside their immediate surroundings. As I’ve known, the best way to teach kids anything is through games. Fabian and Thula had already thought of several outdoor games. The”water games” would be the lesson for the afternoon.
The kids are incredibly independent and completely able to take care of themselves. I was getting hungry myself but made no mention of it. I was wondering if the kids would have to go back home for lunch before the afternoon session. Well, they kids prepared their lunch from ingredients the purchased at the store under the information center!
We proceeded to a nearby football field. The weather was rather hot at about 85F/29 C. It was the first experience for the kids playing these relay based games (bobbing for apples, etc). I think they were just excited to be learning some new games. I was fortunate to be among some of the first volunteers to arrive in the village and share this experience with them. Later, through the translation app on my phone, Aseema asked if we could organize the same games for the local kids near the home-stay, who did not attend the club. They must have really enjoyed themselves!
Well that about sums up this day. I had some other observations throughout the day regarding clean water access, that I may post about later. That evening we had a real cultural treat that I WILL discuss in the next post.
Thanks again for reading. I’m slow in getting caught up on the posts, but do hope to eventually finish all for this trip.
Share if you like.
-The Rover
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