We are so different, and yet, in many things, we are also alike.
The Al Jalila Cultural Center for Children. An amazing place. This was where did my storytelling on the morning of my second day at SCRF.
Ms Marwa (below, left) welcomed us and ushered us to the AJCCC Library on the second floor.
I was assisted by SCRF 2017 student volunteer, the petite Amie (below, right), who tottered in stilletos while lugging an LCD projector.
I felt so privileged to do my storytelling in such an inspiring place. (Was later taken on a tour of the place. Will post the pics in a separate post.)
School children arrived as soon as we had settled and set up our projector in the library. Shortly after we'd gone up to the second floor, a couple of school buses must have arrived carrying some thirty school children and their teachers. There was no sign of them while we were in the lobby earlier.
Me: I heard that the kids who come to the AJCCC are the smartest and most creative...
Kids: Yes, Teacher!
Me: I was wondering if you could help me with my problem.
Abdulrahman M: What is your problem, Teacher?
Me: I wrote a book, and I used some Filipino words. I want to rewrite it using Arabic words so Arab kids can understand it. Do you think you can help me?
Kids: (chorus) Yes, Teacher!
(Above) And so we brainstormed, and chose the best words to use in our storytelling: Yammah. Souk. Refikruh. Sellah. I was very pleased. I liked the sound of our words.
It was impressive because these kids were not only bilingual, but they were literate in writing in Arabic and English. They were very specific as we agreed on the made-up spellings of the anglicized Arabic words. The teachers beamed as they listened to their students eagerly interact with me. They told me that it easier to learn English than to learn Arabic. These kids are geniuses.
In exchange, I taught them Filipino words: Nanay (mother), Palengke (market), Suki (customer-friend), and Bayong (native basket).
And I read them my book with its new title, "A Day at the Souk" (above), using the Arabic words:
Today, I woke up early.
I was still sleepy when Yamma helped me get dressed.
I will spend the day with her.
Today is souk day!
The activity made them quiet for about five minutes, hahaha.
Overwhelmed because I gained more than I gave of myself in this storytelling session. Thank you, Sharjah Book Authority. Thank you, Al Jalila Cultural Center for Children. It was a truly unforgettable experience.
