Perhaps we should just call this section of the newsletter “Parallel Lives,” if only to make me feel better about repeating myself month after month!
Once again, the folks in Kantolomba are mirroring our experience, or we theirs. If you kept up with the blogs from the last trip you know we are focused on the new English program: Living English. Though the content of the program is bringing English (the language of economic opportunity in Zambia) alive in children’s lives, a central process focus is around the value of showing up, of participating, of following what our heart most wants to do.
The mechanism the team is using to encourage the children in this is a chart of stars. Every child gets to make a star on an attendance chart on the wall each day she or he attends the Living English program. Theresa tells us the children are loving it! When Cheri heard the news her response was “We do. Why wouldn’t they?!”
Indeed, if you are tracking with the Upping Your Game theme for the year you have no doubt heard the great idea to use stickers (hearts, stars, smiley faces…) on your calendar to mark all the commitments you are keeping in practice and in your life. Great fun!
So, as we head into the part of the year to focus on supporting the physical body, perhaps take inspiration from our little friends in Kantolomba who show up every day, even amid formidable circumstances, to put a star on their chart! What stars will you put on your chart today? Perhaps one for reading this!
Gassho,
Jen