My Little Neighbor Friend

(Written 6/29/12)

The cutest little boy came over tonight while I was talking to my mama and we talked about everything from gorillas to Chris Brown and Rihanna (this conversation was in Kinyarwenglish).  I used Kinyarwanda when I could, however his English was very good so the conversation flowed pretty smoothly.  I kind of chuckled when we were talking about the gorillas.  The last thing a person in America would want to be compared to is anything that resembles a monkey, but this little boy proceeded to tell me that Rwandans and gorillas are very much alike.  He told me that like Rwandans, the gorillas are very intelligent, carry their babies on their backs, and have breasts which they use to give their babies milk; they also make some sort of bed to sleep on that is much like that which humans use.  He also told me that just last week, there was a naming ceremony for a gorilla that was born and that this is a very important event in Rwanda.  After the gorillas, the little boy shifted the conversation to American pop culture...he told me all about how Chris Brown beat Rihanna and how that was very bad news in Rwanda because the people here really like Rihanna.  He also told me that Chris Brown beat up a Canadian rapper last week.  I said, "Drake?"  and he said, "Yes, Drake!"  I had just read that fun little fact on a blog website, but since I'm sure the little boy (whose name is Simon btw) does not have internet access, I asked him how he knew that...he told me he heard it on the radio.  It amazes me how fast and far rumors spread..this country is definitely not as behind as I would have expected it to be.  Simon named every singer and rapper from Beyonce to 50 Cent...I'm not sure why I was surprised that he knew who these people were, but I was. 

Next up, Simon and I had a English-Kinyarwanda 101 where we would each point at something and ask what it was in English and Kinyarwanda.  Our language trainers told us that the best way to practice is with children because they are so patient and forgiving when you mess up.  I have found this to be very true...the kids really like that they can help us learn, and in return, they appreciate being taught new words in English.  I asked Simon what grade he is in and what he studies in school and he told me that he is 14 and in the 6th grade.  On Mondays he studies math, Tuesdays and Fridays are English, on Wednesdays he studies social studies, and on Thursdays he studies Kinyarwanda.  He told me that once he goes to secondary school he will study chemistry, biology, and physics.  When I asked him what he wants to be when he gets older, he said that he wants to be a doctor...and I'm sure he will get there.  He's a really intelligent little kid!

Love and Peace Corps,

Dametreea