Practice Makes Permanent - The Key to Success

You've heard the motto  "Practice make Perfect" but in our household it was changed to "Practice Makes Permanent" - so says Parker Sutton.  A phrase that I actually kind of like.  Perfection can be over rated at times.  If I use this springboard phrase of his I can with great delight show you the strides that Benedicta, Emma, Gisele, Lucie, Marianne and Marie made over the course of a few months. Their enthusiasm is infectious. So - If You Are Happy And You Know It Clap Your Hands !!

  

Class dismissed !

On June 1st  all the young woman at the Foyer put together a farewell, thank you luncheon for all the volunteers who had spent this last year taking the time teaching them child care, French, cooking, embroidery, mathematics and yes - even English ;+}

Singing Songs of  "Thanks"

It was a lovely affair as the young woman showed off their talented food preparation, cooking and serving skills as though they were ready to start a new job in the hotel, restaurant industry or even a bonne/nanny for a future family.

Lucie - on of our girls

and Marianne

After enjoying the buffet and dessert we were each presented with beautifully embroidered apron that will forever remind us of the young women of Le Foyer. Maybe some of their cooking finesse will rub off on me!!  And of course you can't leave the room until you getup and dance along with them. 

After the excitement of the event wound down and most of the volunteers slipped away - it was Dorothy's and my turn to take a moment to recognize our 6 young woman and their achievements.  We wanted to present our token of appreciation to the girls for working hard (yet having fun) with us as we lead them down a path of English learning.

Dorothy designs and creates jewelry - I had this idea of something simple and unique to give them to remember us by and somehow involving a key.  The "key" being a symbol of opening the door to ones imagination and all the possibilities on the other side.

 

Dorthy using her own creative juices combining leather cording, uncut keys and old and new African beads (which she has gazillions of that are oh so mouth watering) came up with 7 unique designs. One for each girl and for Sister Charito.


In attempting to hold my emotions in check - but yes a tear or two was shed, we presented each one with a certificate of achievement and their keepsake "collier"

 

Included in the bag - was not only their individual key but also a CD of various American music as well as every song we taught and learned to sing in class.

Our words of wisdom to these young woman 

•  “You must open and enter with courage and confidence.”  (Hilary)
•   “Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and you’ll eventually get there.” (Dorothy)

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“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people move our souls to dance. They awaken us to a new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom. Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.”
― Flavia 

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Sister Charito - Thank you for the courage and confidence you had in me to step up to the task.  And for your kindness that shines so brightly.

Benedicta, Emma, Marie, Gisele, Lucie,  and Marianne - Jerejef, Merci and Thank You for touching my heart in ways I could have never imagined. You welcomed me with your "teranga" and made the journey of teaching a memorable one. I was always full of energy and exhaustion when I returned home on Friday's. But I always slept well.