"Esa"

First of all, thank you SO much everyone for weighing in and taking the time to help us out with this project. We appreciate all the feedback we are getting and it makes us so excited. It also reassures us so much to feel connected to all of you even though we are many worlds away.

Today we made tremendous progress. We spent the entire day doing team-building exercises with our Mariposas, with only a few hitches. We began with an uplifting yet serious conversation about what it means to be a Mariposa and how we intend to integrate this group. We really cemented the idea that we don't expect all of them to be best friends by the end of camp, but we do expect them to work together and show each other respect.

Our first activity was a partner exercise in which we mixed them up strategically (trying to pair the girls with girls they have not talked to, so for the most part, Haitian / Dominican pairs). We instructed them to talk for ten minutes to their partner and find out 5 interesting things about their partner. After 10 minutes we were going to come back into the group and have them present what they learned about their partner. It was all going great. We heard laughter and animated conversation coming from all except one group. This group literally sat there in silence. They would not look at each other. They would not speak to each other. Each of them REFUSED to initiate the conversation, so we had to send them to the office to speak to the staff psychologist. Honestly, we were really frustrated at that point, but once again we were heartened when the rest of the girls presented their findings, complete with friendly giggles and nudges, and the interesting facts we solicited.

Just as Kelly and I were flushed with success and beaming at one another, one of the girls who was involved in the conflict yesterday raised a finger, indicating that she wanted to speak. We eagerly called on her, anticipating a positive commentary on the activity. I turned to grin at Kelly, and as I did so, I heard the girl (Valentina)'s tone. She was speaking angrily, forcefully. She was angry because the girl sitting across the circle from her, Rosa Lourdes, (SHE FELT) had a smug, sort of condescending expression on her face during Valentina's presentation. However, she did not refer to Rosa Lourdes using her name, or even the word "she." Valentina indicated Rosa Lourdes by saying "esa" (for those of you non-Spanish speakers, "esa" means, roughly, that thing). Clearly this comment sparked some heated discussion. Every girl had an opinion, and, keeping the tone respectful, we managed to work through it.

We did some more activities with them that were successful ... a game keeping the beach ball in the air, following the ball with their eyes and movements. We then did yoga with the girls, which was a MAJOR hit. They all suddenly became silent and focused. They loved it, particularly the meditation at the end. I led this section, and I kept repeating "paz y amor" (peace and love, peace and love)... being one with the Earth, being connected to everyone and everything, all sisters... etc. They responded well to this activity and kept asking for more. While they were calm and focused, we read to them for about a half hour from "In the Time of the Butterflies," which was another really successful activity.

Lunchtime came and passed uneventfully, except that we all decided that the group would sit together. Some of the girls played music on their phones, there was a lot of conversation and laughter, and the girls really seemed to be getting along and having a good time. After lunch we did a little rehearsing for the piece... working on that opening moment and continuing the dance section. Once we can get them to focus on the rehearsal, they just get better and better. These girls have so much power and so much potential. Doing these rehearsals, even in small doses, gets us psyched.

We did some more relaxing activities for the rest of the day, including some yoga and time for reflection. At the end of yoga they all became so united that we sat in a circle holding hands and getting excited about future group activities and going on a field trip tomorrow. I have to say, not tooting my own horn at all, that what we did today worked. There will always be ups and downs, and I think that's what is going to make this experience so special.

But I think the best part of all is that we are getting to know these girls and build relationships with them. What's interesting about this whole experience is that, yes, we did come down here to create a piece of theatre -- but that's not the focus anymore, and we are totally okay with that. There's so much more to do here. A piece will come from this experience, but now we know that it does not need to be our primary goal. And we love that.

Thanks everyone, and please keep responding and commenting. If it won't let you comment on Blogger, then write us on Facebook, email us, whatever works. We want to hear from you, and we love it so much. Let's keep it interactive.

This weekend we will try to upload some of the video we have of the girl's interviews.

Lots of love,

Anna and Kelly