Mali: Day 1

I made it to Mali safe and sound, Praise God! I must admit the trip was long but my excitement to come to this new land tempered any travel fatigue and jet cabin fever I experienced. It was great to meet my travelmates and finally get this party started!

The Crew: Ben, Julia, Moi, Marnie, Chris, Jeremy, Dave

We hit the ground running at 8:30am after a delicious breakfast buffet at our hotel. Our first stop was a local kindergarten that has 400 students enrolled!

Marnie, Julia, Dave and I stretching it out

I had the most fun here and got to see them do all the Right To Play exercises led by their teachers. We joined in at times and it was great to be a kid again! I bought some of my favorite candy from home to share with them and I was glad the director allowed this.

High Fives for a job well done!

The cute factor was on ten! I love me some (other peoples) babies!

Marnie has a captive audience

Stop #2 

Our next stop was at the offices of Right To Play Mali, where we met with the staff and educators. There was hours of great discussion on R2P in Mali, their successes (many!) and challenges. Everyone in that room believes in what they are doing and are passionate about their younger generations.

Lunch on Day 1: Fish and potatoes and very tasty too :)

 We attended Mamadou Diarra school in the afternoon and got to see and join in Right To Play's "Peer Educator" series. This is where a fellow student, who shows commitment and leadership skills educates his and her peers on various issues impacting them. For example  HIV/Aids, Malaria, etc. It is all in the form of game and play, it's the most interactive form of teaching and learning I have ever really seen.

One game was the group joined hands in a circle, one person was the HIV virus lurking outside this circle.  When the virus tried to break into the circle at different points, it was everyones job to try to stop this from happening. 

Great Day Ends With Great Night

The night ended in dance, song and great food at Hotel Mande with all R2P-Mali staff. This was an awesome way to end the night, with a live local band that wasn't short on energy and charisma. I did so much traditional dancing my feet hurt lol. But you know I had to drop it low a few times just to keep it WESST SIDE (as in hemisphere)! ;-)

Chris, Ben and I with Cisse R2P Mali's Director

One of the members of the band

Sincerely I am in awe, proud and humbled by everyone I met today. This experience is so important to me and not a moment of its richness will I forget or take for granted.

Be Great! xo Dita