When we first met Brother Ray, he told us that basketball is a huge sport out here and many kids enjoy playing. From that initial introduction, we couldn't wait to see the kids and play with them. On the first day, we played basketball with ourselves before the school day. I've worked with 8th grade, and while talking to them, their interest in basketball kept finding its way into our conversations. This helped me forge a personal link with them.
When the kids went to lunch, we ate our own lunches. After lunch, we the kids summoned us to join their pickup basketball game. At that time we all quickly remembered how long its been since we played basketball, as the kids ran circles around us. During the pickup game there was some friendly trash talking, which helped us strengthen the bonds with them. It was pretty cool to see and experience that bond.
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| Nick Boone '13 Moving Up the Court |
In their "health and wellness" class, we bonded with them further through the various activities. We played basketball on Monday, soccer on Tuesday, and tag on Wedensday. Playing these games with the kids made us understand that even though they are far a way from us, they also have the same interests as us.
We can't wait to continue to play basketball with them again and find out more about them, whether it's exploring our differences or similarities. However, we all are dreading the last basketball game with them because it will signal the end of our shared time together.
Nick Boone '13
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