Today was the instrument-making workshop for the children living in the heim. Two of the children who participated are fluent English-speakers and so translated my instructions into Arabic and German for those who do not speak English.
We made pan flutes and percussive shakers. The kids seemed far less interested in playing the instruments than the actual act of making them. Each drew a picture to decorate their shaker. Colors were picked with the utmost care and one boy redrew his picture at least five times before he was satisfied and ready to move ahead with the process.
Berlin has been sweltering all week. With no air conditioning anywhere in the heim and several balloons leftover from our crafts, we ended class with an energetic and relieving water balloon fight.
