I begin on a sad note. At the start of the workshops this year we received news of the passing of Ameena Peer, the mother of Yunus and the heart of TABSA. I am fortunate because I knew Mrs. Peer and have many wonderful memories. Whenever I visited her during my sabbatical year, she would greet me with a smile, a cold homemade passion fruit drink, and the question, “Have you eaten?” When our TABSA teams took road trips we could count on a big bag of homemade samoosas, courtesy of Mrs. Peer. She supported the team every year in so many ways and always treated us to a magnificent meal at her home. I am sure that everyone who had the good fortune to know Mrs. Peer is saddened by her leaving. She continues to be our matriarch and to guide our activities.

South Africa is getting smaller. In Bloemfontein Yunus serendipitously met the son of the man who made the curtains that still hang in the home of his late parents, while Thokozani met a neighbor from his home in Harding. Manu, a lifeguard I met in East London, grew up with Eric and Wilson and Wiseman, guys I met in Port St. Johns in 2003. Several people from past workshops – Gibert, Zolo, Smonds, and others – showed up in East London, some to attend our workshops again, while some just happened to be there. What good fortune to see familiar faces from the past. It was nice to make new connections and to renew old friendships.

The workshops went well, thanks to the wonderful work of Yunus and his cohorts in South Africa and the support staff of the always reliable Thokozani, Laurie and Avishan. Their work in the background (and foreground) really made life easy for us. We were fortunate to have Debbie Ihrig, Director of Teachers Across Borders, with us during our first two weeks. What delightful company she is.

I was especially impressed by the outstanding math team this year and the evaluations each week confirmed that what we did was well received. I am so very proud of the entire TABSA team. I enjoyed their company immensely and appreciated their professionalism. They came prepared and delivered in style.

Before leaving South Africa I had dinner with the family of Razvi Ahmed. Razvi and his wife Firdoz have been constant supporters of TABSA from the beginning. At the airport before I left I was able to meet with Ashley Ah Goo and his family. Ashley is one of the top math educators in all of South Africa and has assisted us significantly in past workshops. What a pleasure it was to see him again after six years.

TABSA 2017 is in the books as another successful venture. Thanks to so many who made this possible.

 

With her trademark smile, Mrs. Ameena Peer and grandson Nathaniel. She did so much for so many. The world misses her.