Bittersweet...

Today is our last full day and it is our presentation day.  We have two presentation sessions with our mentees.  At our first session today, I find out that Woytek and Kate will be leaving early.  There is a family situation that they must attend to.  Both Kate and Wojtek have been extremely apprehensive about presenting, but I know Kate is really ready.  I think that it would help her to present, so I gather a few mentors -- Roz, Ruby, and Thom as well as two participants -- Julieta and Anna.  Aisha from the staff is also available and Kate does her presentation on handball.  The presentation goes very well and Kate and Wojtek answer the questions from the audience.  I am really glad Kate had an opportunity to present, even if it is not for the entire group.  We have additional time in the schedule to work on our presentations, so today I will have more free time.  

In the morning, the kids do their presentations.  They all do well, but some would be impressive for English as a first language students.  It is amazing to see how much poise and comfort that several of the kids have speaking in English.

We have a conversation session after lunch, and I have Joanna and Magda.  Joanna (pronounce Yo - Hanna) is the Grandmother of two boys participating in the program.  Her English skills are really basic.  Magda has better language skills, but she is also fairly basic.  Our topic was shopping and there were really great questions on our activity sheet.  I am sure that my feelings about shopping are more closely aligned to these two ladies than they are to people I know in the US.  We all three don't like to shop.  It was a really fun conversation.

After our lunch and break, it is time for the adult participants to do their presentation.  They are all very good.  Some are exceptional.  They presentation is the hardest part for many and some choose not to present.  I walked back to our Palac Na Wodzie (Palace by the Lake) and Nusrat shows the shortcut to our rooms.  It is a good thing I like to walk, because I have been going the long way.

In the evening, we have a bonfire in another area of the resort and it is very relaxed.  The kids roast marshmallows and then run to play.  Roz and I are talking with one of the Polish staff that was here to help with the Polish children.  She is a 20 year college student and is working for Angloville through the summer.  She is very mature and thoughtful young lady.  We were impressed with her poise and handling of situations with the kids and her views on life.  

Dan, who is on staff to work with the native speakers, turned 22 years old today.  There have been many little celebrations including some of the younger mentors and staff singing "Happy Birthday" outside his room at midnight.  There was a cake ordered from a bakery at lunch.  Several of the Polish participants went to town to pick up.  There were noise makers, balloons, and a card signed by all.

It is our final evening in Angloville.  Many of the Polish participants head back to their rooms early as the kids are winding down and some seem a bit tired from their week in Angloville.