The Brevet results were announced on July 17, 2012 for all the schools here. I called my principal to ask what the results were for our 10th graders. He told me 15 passed the brevet and that six were girls and nine were boys. I then asked for the students whom I both expected would pass and whom I had been hoping would pass. I was able to get one of my favorite students phone number and called to congratulate him. It was the first time I had ever called a student and the first time I would ever give my number to my students. He answered, so I asked if it was my student, and he replied that it was he. I then told him it was Madame Stephanie, he immediately was shocked and said “Madame! We did it, I passed the brevet! I had to do everything in my power not to break down into hysterics, but I was so excited for him, because he was always the student who stayed after class to ask a question on a section he didn’t understand, always came to the extra help math sections, and whom I had asked many questions about how difficult it was being a student and what the future held for him. He was so shocked that I had called him, and I was so excited to hear him so happy. I asked him to tell me the others that passed the brevet too and I have never been a prouder mother/teacher. He wrote me a message after, “je vous felicite tres bien de votre travail. Je vous souhaite une longue vie et un excellent vaccance.” (I congratulate you on your hard work and I wish you a long and excellent summer) It’s times like this that makes me realize that I might actually have a small effect on these students.
I just finished up helping with the new group of volunteers that just arrived for education which was so much fun based on their energy levels and their excitement to get to site.
I was finally able to buy a ticket with two of my friends to go on a vacation in West Africa. We had to exchange US dollars into the local currency and walk to the travel agents with bricks of money. The only thing that we still have to do is get our visas for each country and then we will be on our way to experiencing a different culture and country.
Lastly, I just wanted to let you all know that a friend and I decided on a secondary project which is a women’s magazine called Aïcha. Former Peace Corps volunteers had previously started the magazine but due to the instability of the country, they were evacuated and the magazine was stopped. We have decided to continue this magazine and have been working with local women and girls to write articles about the various parts of their lives and discuss their religious beliefs. We are about to submit our Partnership Program Application Form, which will post a picture and article about the project and allow others to donate to the cause on the Peace Corps website. We feel this magazine is critical because it will allow women to have a voice and an outlet to discuss the everyday issues. We hope that by distributing the magazine in the local schools, we can encourage girls to read, and inspire them to write articles increasing the rate of literacy and motivation. We will able be featuring a woman who has been successful and used as an example for what can happen to these girls is they are educated and motivated to succeed.
I will be hoping to head back to site to congratulate my students and spend some time with my friends and neighbors before my trip and before the school year starts.
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