Setting Off

This summer, I will be volunteering at Hope on a String, the non-profit organization that my husband, Bennett, started over a year ago.  As many of you know, Hope on a String is a grassroots organization that seeks to foster an environment of social transformation and economic development in Haiti through the community's participation in music. (to learn more, visit www.hopeonastring.org)

I will be living in the community of Corail, in the town Arcahaie, Haiti for 5 weeks and teaching a variety of classes at the Hope on a String community center.  This is about 30 miles northwest of Port-au-Prince.  Lara, the Program Director, who lives in Corail full-time and is in charge of all programming, has assigned me to teach several classes - three Level 3 English classes (advanced English), one dance and step class, and one children's choir class.  I was on a step team in high school and college, and have brushed up on some steps.  I also made a list of English children's songs that I can use for the choir and matching the words with actions to help them learn some vocabulary.  Remember "heads, shoulders, knees, and toes," and "the hokey pokey"?  

I spent 2 weeks in Corail in March, so I have a good idea as to what I'm getting myself into, and I am very excited and very nervous. My creole is definitely coming along, but I cannot keep up with the pace at which people talk.  I will definitely be saying "dousman souple" often, which means "slowly please."

I'm looking forward to keeping everyone updated and sharing my reflections.  My ability to access the internet and keep my computer charged will be erratic, so bear with me. 

Na we pi ta (See you later!),

Amanda