This week was my second week of Model School, and it was remarkably different from the first. Last week I taught around 70 students at a time, most of which were no older than about 12. We studied simple grammar points, played educational games, and they all desperately wanted a high-five in return for a correct answer.

This week the classes were only around 50 students, and any given classroom held students that ranged from ages 12 to about 30. Planning lessons that wouldn't bore half of the class and completely confuse the other half was an enormous challenge. Getting these individuals to participate was also a whole other ballgame. Nonetheless, it was very good practice and a couple of the lessons actually went decently well!

On Wednesday we had 'no chalk-board day,' a practice method intended to help us increase the amount of communicative activities our students are offered on any given class day. I, along with a few other trainees, decided to incorporate music into that lesson. I chose 'Three Little Birds' by Bob Marley and we had a great time with it! Most young Rwandans enjoy reggae music (bonus!) and that song in particular is pretty easy because it only has a few lines that are repeated multiple times. After working through the lyrics and the meaning of the song, we sang it together as a class and a couple of students came to the front to showcase their dance moves. It was a really fun session and it actually inspired a lesson on reggae music the next day with a more advanced class!

In general, training has developed into a pretty solid routine. We have one more week of Model School, and after that only three weeks of training left! I’m teaching six times in four days next week, though, so it will definitely be an exhausting close to a roller-coaster of a month! We’re all looking forward to Thanksgiving, and I've offered my expert stirring abilities to assist in the preparation of the meal on Thursday. I can’t make any guarantees in terms of the cooking, but these trainees can bet whatever we’re eating will be mixed well! Some things just don’t change, Africa or not. J

I haven't had as much time to play with the neighborhood kids since we started Model School, but spending time with them is still by far one of my favorite things to do. It's amazing how much their English has progressed in the few weeks we've been here. Probably one of my favorite moments in Rwanda so far occurred this week and can be attributed to one of those sweet little boys that shows up loyally every day: as we were discussing my American and Rwandan names, he proudly informed me that from now on, he is Jay-Z and I am Beyonce.  So sweet!

Last night a few of us got together to make supper, and it turned out pretty nicely. We have these little mini-charcoal grills to cook with, so most of the production was actually fire preparation and maintenance. We made a big pot of tomato soup (or boiled tomato chunks, tomato paste, and milk), and GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES! For the sandwiches, we toasted the infamous crescent-role bread pieces available at a handful of local shops, attempted to melt cheese by putting the cans in boiled water, and then topped the bread with the cheese chunks. Follow that meal with a chilly, 40-minute walk home under the most beautiful night sky I know, and you’ve got yourself a Saturday night in Rwanda.

 Tomato soup!