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Mulmangcho--September 23--They didn't want to stop

Yesterday I had a great time at Mulmangcho. But the others had an even greater time:
Item #1: It was lunchtime, but the kids didn’t want to eat!
Item #2: It was time to leave, but the volunteers didn’t want to go!
* * *
Item #1: It was lunchtime, but the kids didn’t want to eat!
Kristen Alice was our lead teacher for the young kids. She taught the kids how to make pinwheels. And they loved it! After they finished making them, they were blowing them, running with them to make them spin. From Monday-Friday, they are drilled in Korean to help get them ready for mainstream schools. On Saturday, they have hakwon like activities (art, music, dance). Then Sunday, it is their one chance to hear English. It is technically their free day–if we don’t show up then they get to play or study all day.
The kitchen staff gave me the 10 minute warning that lunch was ready. I informed everyone–but everyone continued teaching and learning. I gave a second warning, then a third warning–I returned to the kitchen, alone. Everyone was still in their classrooms. I’m sure the staff was wondering what’s wrong me, why I didn’t just force the kids to come to eat.
Item #2: It was time to leave, but the volunteers didn’t want to go!
Lunch was great. We were able to take our time because Lolu Ayo had his car. We took some photos out front, then the kids did their best to earn free time by singing and performing. Our volunteers were mesmerized, getting a preview of the performances the kids will put on next week when Mulmangcho celebrates its first anniversary.
I mentioned a few times that it was time to go, but the volunteers seemed to lose their hearing as they snapped photos and video recorded the kids performing. Then I suggested to Lolu, “Why don’t you start the car, that may get their attention.” Finally, when the kids took a pause, I announced that anyone who wanted to go to Seoul should join us because we were leaving.
* * *
He wasn’t a volunteer, but Ilnam Park, a teacher at the school during the week, was there again yesterday. He is an intense teacher, but he is so gentle about it. He is so attentive to the kids at all times, making sure they learn both inside and outside of the classroom.
* * *
I had everything planned for yesterday, but as former boxing champ Mike Tyson has said: Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.
One memorable moment for me: The young adult female walked in, hugging her English book. She hadn’t been there when we divided the teachers and students, so she didn’t have anyone to teach her. She didn’t ask to study, she was just standing there holding her book. So things were turned upside down again. Thankfully we had enough (flexible) volunteers who didn’t mind that I was moving them around like pieces on a chessboard. Lovy Kim and Lolu were role playing and pushing the young man to help get him ready for applying to have a college interview in English. Jinhee was teaching up a storm with the young lady, correcting and teaching pronunciation in such an expert way that I was wondering how correct my own pronunciation was. And, of course, Kristen had the kids so engaged that they ignored the calls to go eat.
* * *
One funny moment: One of the ladies at the school took a picture of me. So I then asked her to take a photo with me, then in the second photo, I had her put my sunglasses on.
* * *
This Sunday the school will be celebrating its first anniversary. At children’s day, Cortney and I showed off our swing dancing skills. I’m not sure about an encore, but I do hope some of our other volunteers or other interested parties will come up with something.


She just joined the school. I caught her taking a picture of me, so I loaned her my sunglasses and took a photo with her.


If you ever want your pronunciation corrected--even if you are a native speaker--then consult with Jinhee. Wow! I was second guessing my own pronunciation after watching her teach...


Kristen wants everyone to know the student taped her own mouth! There are some weeks that I would like to have a mouth-taping class with the students, but not yesterday!

The kid with 1 million facial expressions. He is always happy, making faces. 






They weren't just entertaining the volunteers. They were also hustling to earn more free time. 





With school staff.





Next week will be the one year anniversary of the school being founded. If you would like to entertain the kids--juggling, magic tricks, dancing, or some other way, then let me know ASAP.


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