The Universal Language Expansion

This past week our relationship with Anita has grown even more. As I mentioned, in the past she just cleaned our house and there wasn't much communication. We used to have to beg her to just sit at the table with us (It is usually not acceptable for helpers to sit with their employers). Now every evening she has been coming to our house, doing any work thats needed and then just sits at the table with me. We still can't talk much, but she just seems to want to sit for awhile. The other day she was almost falling asleep in the chair, so I talked her into taking a nap on our couch. That was a huge step for her. Now, it seems that at the end of the day (a very long one for her because she works in 6 homes), our house is a haven for her. A place where she can sit for a moment before going home to her family of seven. Thats what we want it to be for her. Now she has a nothing reason to sit at our table.

I mentioned in my previous blog that I was going to begin teaching English to my neighbor Mona's helpers, Jhuma and Monica. Mona also suggested that we offer to teach Anita's (our helper) two oldest daughters. We asked Anita and she said that SHE wanted to learn English. Now everyday at around 6 pm, Anita comes over, cleans a little bit and then sits at the table waiting to learn. Jhuma and Monica then join us. They both have had more exposure to English and know the sounds and such. They are further along than Anita, but she is trying really hard.

Today, I was out shopping, and did not get back until close to 7, but Anita was waiting for me at the table and she had brought a friend along. It can often be quite hilarious. They have all done quite well though. The best part is that they all really want to learn. Tonight, they all finally left my house after 9 pm. I had quit teaching (not that I have any clue what I am doing) but they kept learning and practices with each other. Yesterday, I taught them to say, "Hello, how are you? I am fine." It was so funny, because they were so cute. The best part was when Jhuma taught Anita to say, "Hello Alicia. How are you?" They went giggling to Alicia's room, and knocked on the door. Alica answered, and Anita said something unrecognizable. Then they all burst into laughter. So our language interaction is definately expanding these days. However, the universal language of laughter still wins out in the end.