We’re starting a volleyball team! I didn’t think much when I put on my application to volunteeer that knowing how to play volleyball and basketball would be of much use. In Port-au-Prince, the sisters told me my duties in Ouanaminthe would be teaching English, playing volleyball, helping out the Sisters. I thought cool I get to play volleyball. Upon arriving, I found out I am the volleyball instructor. Someone last year gave a donation to the sisters to constuct an outdoor volleyball/ basketball court. This year is the first year the students have had the chance to learn volleyball. They are all newbies. It’s really great to see the girls play because generally you don’t see girls play sports- the boys take over the balls and space. In January, some students started coming Friday afternoon to practice playing. Well, first it started out that they just came to play and then Sr. Gracitane got the idea to start a team. Now they come Friday and Saturday afternoon and arrive about an hour or two early (needless to say they love to play). But soon we are going to select a boy team and girl team to go play another Salesian school in Cap Haitien!
Unfortunately, out of the two volleyballs that we had, one become utterly deflated and miserable. I tried ducktaping it and reviving it with air. The kids were very intrigued by an air pump and eveyone wanted to try and use it. So now we are left with one volleyball, which is beginning to get a little bit worn out too. Volleyballs run scarce in these parts too so I’m hoping ducktape will manage to bandage the last remaining soldier.