Independent Project: Ellery

This post features student writing.

My independent project was inspired by the imagination of children in Rwanda. Throughout our journey in Nyamata, the marketplace was a center of activity. A few days a week, our group would have free time to shop and experience the wonders of the market. A first, I had no idea what I wanted to do when we were prompted with a mission to find an independent project. I kept looking for and brainstorming ideas. But one day, Julia, Lucia, and I were at the market getting our dresses tailored. We were waiting and playing with the tailor’s kids. I watched them play on their mother’s table as if it were a jungle gym, and was sparked with the idea to do my independent project on how children in Nyamata use things in their daily life as a playground. From there, I continued to observe daily activities of children either in the marketplace or just around Nyamata. Once I observed enough activities, I began writing about what I saw and compared it to the play that I usually see every day. I conveyed this through short stories and poems. while writing, I learned that all play is the same even if it happens in different ways. I really enjoyed creating my project and hope it shows the incredible minds of children.
I. Shadows
A boy and a girl walk to the playground, only the street lights and the moon guide them. Their shadows follow them quietly, mirroring them with every step. When they arrive, the four go directly to the jungle gym, which has been patiently awaiting their arrival. The boy and the girl climb all over the playground, creating new games out of imaginary scenarios. The shadows try their best to copy the kids, only differing slightly in their movements and shapes. The differences are noticeable, but it’s the same person; the same activity. The shadows see boards of wood and tables covered with fabrics. The boy and the girl see plastic and wood chips. The same moon hovers over all of them, introducing a familiarity for both. As the boy and girl hang from the monkey bars, their shadows hold onto the top of a work table. When the boy and girl migrate to play jump rope, their shadows sit down and play with a belt their mothers sell instead. The sky becomes pitch black as the boy and girls eyes begin to droop. They lie down into their shadows, morphing into the same being. Images of a crowded market and rowdy bikers flutter into the children’s minds. The boy and girl dream of rows of food and piles of clothing. They are constantly surrounded by people, creating a sense of comfort. An old woman walks by the park and notices the children asleep, smiling. She wonders what could make a sleeping child so happy. The children see themselves playing on the steps of a shop, only a table and clothing items entertain them. Confusion arises as the boy and girl see the market transform into their playground. They wake up with groggy smiles, sitting up with their shadows. The four introduce themselves after stepping into their shoes. They play on their playgrounds, only the moonlight keeps them together.
II. Hide and Seek
It’s a childhood favorite; whether you’re hiding from your parents or friends. It’s an exciting and dangerous game. For me, it was full of rules and boundaries. The game was intense and I never wanted to be found. When I was, it was disappointing but all okay because I could just play again. A few weeks ago I witnessed and was a part of an unplanned game of hide and seek. Two boys followed Madeline, Lucia, and me from the market to every place we went. We noticed them, but whenever we looked back they would quickly hide behind whatever was available; a tree or a column of a building became a door or a shower curtain. This game continued for 2 hours. It was interesting to see how the boys entertained themselves with their surrounding environment. It made me realize that when I was a kid, the game never had to be planned, and would’ve probably been more fun if it was spontaneous. The game didn’t need to have structure and nerves attached, because just playing in itself was thrilling enough. The imagination of boys and girls in Rwanda continues to amaze me, and I hope to bring some inspiration back with me to New York.
III. Just a Game
a sun and moon sat quietly together
for
a
while
they noticed they were the same
two worlds intertwined
a bottle and a ball
a park and a road
dirt and grass
jerseys and t-shirts
practice and play
fools see a difference
it’s just a game