– Note: This blog was still in draft at the time of Gurumarka’s passing so previously unpublished –
Ravinder
Teachers in Africa program
got invited to join a L1 program in Burundi. connection to Belgium. small country, poor country, political trouble, and amazing people showing up for the training. mix of expats, and locals.
I asked if I could teach longer than a weekend. 5 days in a hut by a lake. no windows, no electricity, no running water. it was wonderful. we had a special time. French speaking, translated.
ipod and speaker for music.
personal interviews, all could speak a bit of English, with translator.
one student was angry, sister missing, father gone (dead), I advised a shift in his attitude. next day he came excited after weeks of his sister missing, she called and was okay. he came to me to thank me for helping him shift his thoughts.
embassy, home, guards, protection, warmth, support,
some students kept in touch, having babies, teaching and other life changes. many of the locals were teaching regular classes.
I had never planned to visit Africa, this first visit was a generous gift. I learned much.
special evening with YB tratakam, and then gm telling stories. to me, it was like an elder sharing stories to the community. they were very attached to this process.