Shatila Day
and the way there is becoming easier.
More familiar
and bonded between us.
Julia is the new addition to the group since last week
and she's been amazing.
She is amazing.
Extremely conscious
and kind.
We had the classes together
and in a very strange, unplanned way
we manage to flow together
as teachers
in a class of young rebels.
The class starts and we are in full action
to collect the running boys
and congratulate the sitting ones.
The girls are in order
and they haven't lost their interest yet.
 |
| Meanwhile Fatme is being the queen of numbers |
The struggle becomes real
when the little monkeys
see no future in sitting on a chair
with two foreign teachers.
'HALAS!'
I shout firmly.
'Shoo haida?'
[What is this?]
One time
Two times
Three times
Drop
[on the floor laughing]
as me and Julia look at each other
and break out in laughs
at how cheeky the kids are
and how we're almost enjoying that they're so energetic.
They watch us laugh
and they laugh too.
They get it.
And we get it too.
All they want is some attention
from a foreign vibe
that communicates with them
more with body language than
with language.
Julia takes the lead
and goes to the board.
The attention starts being magnetically drawn
to the board.
I alternatively pick up the boys who are naughty
and sit them on my lap to hold.
More so to refrain them from running around the class.
Foaz becomes briefly naughty and I grab him in a playfully way
place him on my lap sideways
where he leans to my left arm and comforts himself
like a lovable human form
that found the comfort he needs.
I remember him last week;
being completely defensive and traumatised
as he lied under the table
and wouldn't come out of it.
I urged him and stack around saying
'Come habibi. Come.'
I couldn't figure him out
but I kept showing I was there.
And now he was giving himself to me.
In the way a child gives himself to the mother.
And though I wasn't ready for it
it was the best thing
taught in class.
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