Creative Sparks reunite!

This was the image presented to my Creative Sparks.
Scroll down to see what they wrote. Enjoy :)

Pic taken from WritingForward.com

Trust no one
by Mohamed Algantri (Abogila)

Trust is difficult and also not impossible.
How some people look like angels, but they are evil.
...which means...
"Don't judge people from their appearance."

People are different.
White and black.
Fire and water.
Light and darkness.
Love and hate.
Live and die.

Actually, it's life.
It's like a game.
You should...
Think before your speak.
Listen before you read.
Respond before you show.
This is life, I said.

As far as I'm concerned, people are like time. Moody, fast, organized and perfect.

Time is the killer. If we don't manage our time, time will kill us
Moreover, people don't think of each other very easily, because they are cautious. Perhaps you trust and be hurt and painful.

So always use our mind before our heart - even when it's difficult, we should be like the storm - destroying everything. Yes, be strong but don't forget to forget and to love. We use fire to get adn we use water to have. So we should know how to deal.

Don't trust easily, because you will be upset and moved.

Simply, it's life.

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by Marwan Alkilani

This picture means that not everybody has a good appearance and carries a soul inside him or her.

On the other hand, maybe it carries another meaning. To see gentle, soft and beautiful lady does not mean that she is weak, but she may hide a powerful personality like a dragon.

At the end, my opinion: The beauty of a lady is in her shyness, weakness and quietness.

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by Hesham Baraka

I would like to speak about girls, because some boys think girls are very weak. I think girls are more sensitive than boys. However, they can do things that can't . First of all, look at your mother. I think she is also a woman and she did a lot of things for you and they ability to break a man's heart.

So I wanna say: behind every great man is a great woman.

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by Otman Eltalis

In this picture, there is a beautiful girl with a marvelous body, but I don't understand why she took a picture next to a dragon. I hoped her picture would be with an angel. That is better than now, but I am fortunate because I wrote about her. I can't describe her, really. If I have power, I will put her into a glass box. Then I will put it in the museum until all people see her.

I understand one thing from her. She is dangerous and crafty with men.
She also has two hands.
One for good people.
The other for bad people.

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by Sheetal Makhan

We all have it in us.
A monster of some sort.
In the depth of our soul.

It lurks in our hearts, only to be revealed in the moment when the sun shines.

They say your reputation will follow you like a bad smell. Your shadow can never run away from you. It will mimic your every move.

...but the secret is:
It only comes out when there is no one else around and there's a bright light shining on you. The demon comes out when no one else is around. Just you. Against a white wall.

No one else around.
Vulnerable.
Alone.
Who are you? Really?

The truth is...
no one knows you.
Except you!

The Sun (To Sheetal from Mohamed)

Can you imagine my surprise when I saw and read the following today? It blew my mind. Well, not so much...because this young gentleman is someone I have been mentoring for almost a year. And simply,.I know how he weaves magic with his words. All I can say is...THANK YOU ♡

The Sun
by Mohamed Algantri

Our day starts with the sunrise. The sun shines, gives peace and happiness to the world.

It gives smile to the face and it gives love to the heart. We can’t wake up and feel relieved without the sun although it hides sometimes at night. However, it will shine and rise again.

Actually the sun changed her name to Sheetal Makhan.

She is the sun, humble, hard-working-optimistic, powerful and ambitious.

She is our teacher, she teaches you how to love, help, respect and how to use them.
She is an angel on the earth. I have been studying for ten months, I have not seen her angry, bored and depressed. Her mirror are students. When she helps, she feels amazed.

When she supports, she feels terrific and when she sees your smile, she feels ecstatic.

I go to school every day, every lesson and I find her busy with some students or things even when she is on lunch break.  As I knew her from the first day. Simply she is the key for any locks to any problems or advices, because she knows how to deal with everyone and everything.

She has her own flag, do not give up, as she became our flag. Beautiful like the sun and attractive like the moon. Confident when she teaches, generous when she gives and hopeful when she smiling. She is like the fire strong and brave, water fresh and lively.

We have learnt a lot from her and she has chosen her decision in life. We would like to wish her all the best and luck in life, an enormous love and respect from us.

Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Algantri (Student)

Some children, by Otman

by Otman

That is a story in our life I think. There are some children climbing on the wall. they have the same meaningful the best thing in the picture, so I see cooperate community between the for achieve their aims, because any realization in our life to need like this. This is my opinion.

Indians in South Africa, by Helson

by Helson Santos

The first Indians in South Africa came here with a contract [contract workers] for 3 years with very low salary. They came to work because the natives [in KZN] didn't do the same type of work. 

South Africa has the largest Indian population, and they don't speak their own language.

About fashion, they use sari and kurta pajamas. The origin of pajamas comes from India. Their clothes are very colourful, elegant and regal. About Indian jewelry, it's rich in gold and they use a lot of bangles.

Bindis (or the dot they use between the eyes)

They use because they believe this is the point or the place that has a high point of energy.

They believe it is the third eye

Some use it only as a fashion accessory

And others believe that is is protection against evil.

The red bindi means that the lady is married (single and ready to mingle)

About food, they eat with their hands, they believe that when you eat you need to experience your food, and the act of eating is an act of God. So they only eat with their right hand.

They don't eat cows, because cows give us milk and it's a sign of respect, because with this milk, they feed children. They don't eat pork because it's a dirty animal. 

About celebration

They have the festival of victory of good against evil.

The biggest industry of movies is in Bollywood. 

The "bible" is the Mahabarta.

And finally, the way they greet, I forget the meaning, but because it's so special, I prefer to say in the end.

Namaste - means, how are you? Full of love, If you are with God... 

Namaste.

My mum, by Feras

by Feras Aldaouki

I know that my mum, I always make you feel like crying, worried or angry, but all you want is for me to be a good person.

I know that I will never collect how many days you had to be with me or you had stayed to take care of me. I cannot measure how much you love me, but I can definitely remember a few beautiful words you told me.

She had never cared about her body or her health when she took care of me. So, sorry mum, I have just known that when we started missing somebody is when we became too far from them.

I'm always thinking about how or when I'm going to pay you back and return all that kindness. I also don't mind if nobody wants to trust me. But I don't want you to stop supporting and trusting me. Because you are the most important person in my life.

I will do the best to prove that your son's heart was made especially for you and no one else.

I'm going to tell you now, by Kamal

by Kamal

I haven't told anyone this before, but I'm going to tell you now...

My queen, I don't know from where I'll start

about what I felt
when I saw you for the first time.

I know now it is too late to say that,
but I should say that

you are the flower of my life.
You are the water in the desert.

I was wrong,
because I hesitated
about telling you my feelings,
and I took a long time to say that.

I know there is no benefit of this. 

I love you.

Secret Love, by Kamal

Two old friends get together for dinner after a long time apart.
One of them is secretly in love with the other one. 

by Kamal

"Hello, my friend."
"Hello, Kamal."
Hug, kiss and start talking.

She was talking with me and I was in another world.

I remembered the first day I met her.
I remembered my first heartbeat.
I remembered her scent.

Her face is the same with a little wrinkles to remind me about ten years ago.

After that she started to talk about her husband and children. She was happy with her family.
I was also happy for her.

That made me hesitate to tell her about my feeling.
I also tried to tell her about what I did in 10 years,
but I found that I just spent 10 years studying, working and researching. 

No love. 
No family.

I haven't told anyone, by Hesh

by Hesham

I haven't told anyone this before, but I'm going to tell you now...

In the past, when I was studying in high school, I was a lonely boy. I was studying and working at the same time.One day I met a boy from another city. He was friendly and very funny. Step by step, he became my best friend. That boy was living in a difficult situation in his home because his mother passed away since he was born. His father remarried, but that woman hated boys. He made me sad when he said that, but he was always joking with everyone.

This made me think: Some people smile and joke all the time, but they have problems as big as Table Mountain on their back. 

My Talent, by Ji-hyun

by Ji-hyun

This topic is one of the difficult things for me, because I have never thought that I have special talents. Of course, I like many kinds of things, such as poems or playing sports etc..

For that reason, I will write about my talent which my friends think I have.

Firstly, I am a good consumer. The meaning is that I have sense when I buy something. It was good quality and low cost of whatever I bought. Whenever they saw my new goods or clothes, they were surprised about that and always said to me, "It's unbelievable...you are good at shopping!"

Secondly, I'm a good counselor. It is my ability to give others comfort. When they talked about their problems to me, they felt better and told  me, "You're a good listener." I have learned that a good counselor is a good listener.. 

A good listener understands them well. The answer is inside themselves and they know well. They just want to express their feelings.

Finally, I strongly believe that everyone has a special talent, even if they don't know it. Someone told me, "Nobody sees that, but if you can see that, it is a special talent for you." I think this way...and maybe, I have a lot of talents!

My mother. My blood. My life...

In one of my classes recently, we spoke about patriotism and what it really means. What does it mean to be patriotic? 

Well, this morning, I had a surprise when one of my AY students, Otman Eltalis appeared at my office door. I was surprised because he told me that he wasn't coming to school today as he had to run some errands this morning.

He said: "I just came to give you this," as he handed me a sheet of paper. A piece of writing to mark? Sure! It was nothing out of the ordinary. Until I actually read it. The best way of knowing if something was written from the heart is if it gives the reader goosebumps. It did more than that for me. I could feel Otman's emotions.

With my extra writing sessions that I have with my students, I tell them that they only need to do one thing when they write: Make your words jump off the page and dance!

I interviewed Otman on his very first day at EC Cape Town. He has grown in leaps and bounds, not just with his English, but as a person. I'm so proud of him! With his permission, I would like to share what he has written.

Otman Eltalis from Libya

by Otman Eltalis 

My name: Libya
My nationality: Libyan
My phone number: Libya
My biography: Libya

I am a patient. I am a villager. I am a national. I am a soldier for protect my country. I am peaceful.

I extend my appreciation to my country everyday. It is my mother, my blood, my life. I left because I was forced. I didn't like homesick, but this is for you. I hope to accept my excuse. I can't forget when you gave my nationality, happiness. I am proud if I say I am from Libya. Sometimes, people ask me, "What is your dream in your life?"

I just have one answer. I say, "My dream when I see my country the first country in the world. When I see my people living in the security. When I see many scientists there. If I see illiterate 1%."

I am not frustrated, but when I remembered Japan in 1945, they lost many buildings and people, but now Japan is first world.

If I to speak English, I will fly in the sky, because this isn't for me.
This is for Libya.

Let me, my teacher, write any word in my mind. I can't stop to learn English until I see my country happy for me. I know Arabic language is people's language for paradise, to learn the language of the people of the security of their evil. I wish believe me, my country. It is my mistress. It is before anyone. I will be write, write, write and write.

I hope smell your soil.
I hope send my greeting with the stars.

I miss my country.
I can't forget it.
This is promise.

Written on Monday, 25 August 2014
Your son, Otman (Libya)
I will keep going...

Life Advice from Abdulgader Alsharif

As part of a writing activity recently, my students had to give advice for...life! As we know, life can be complicated at the best of times and and we often wish there was a handbook for us to refer to, right? Using the letters of the alphabet as prompts for each piece of advice, this is what my AY student, Abdulgader came up with. Enjoy...and take heed!

Abdulgader Alsharif from Libya (taken from Table Mountain)

Advise everyone to good ways or avoid people with dangerous ways.

Be smiling everyday, for everyone.

Continue what you started. Don't give up!

Deal with problems in a simple way.

Easy life = huge success.

Feel your own feelings, but don't be selfish.

Good friends guide you to a good life.

Happiness will get a happy life and reach your achievement.

I'm possible = I'm pleased.

Joke around with your friends close to you.

Keep life easy.

Love. Love. Love.

Make fun for yourself and for others to enjoy.

Nothing is impossible.

Old people have quiet wisdom.

Pride of your work leads to success.

Quality is magnificent.

Read before writing or speaking.

Simple = happy = success. Don't be silly!

Try to always have an open heart.

Use your brain for every moment.

Visit your friends and family to live in peace.

Wisdom is your leader.

Xerox [copy] your good memories.

Yield your negative thoughts.

Zero is the beginning of your steps.

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I can speak English

Ahmed Abujarida from Libya

I have many students who do extra writing for me, over and above what they do in class. One such student is my Academic Year student, Ahmed Abujarida from Libya. He left this piece of writing for me to mark and I felt that it was really written from the heart and I had to share it with all to read.

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by Ahmed Abujarida (Libya)

I am going to talk about how I learned English.When I came to Cape Town in April, I didn't know how to speak English with people, but I started to learn English. Also, after three months, I started to speak English and learned a lot of things. For example: vocabulary, listening and grammar. I am really very happy at my school. I would advise everybody who wants to learn English just to speak English. If you're Arabic speaking, speak English even with Arabic students!

If someone speaks Arabic (or their native language) everyday, they will not learn English. Also, I would like to advise people to speak English in the streets - while shopping or anywhere. Then they will improve quickly.

When I started studying at, I started at Elementary level and then I moved to Pre-intermediate level after two months.You will be able to practice and do exercises everyday. Guys, I want you to always speak English at school and in class. I saw a lot of people speaking in their native language and not learning English. I learned this from my teacher, my friends from different countries and my host family.I couldn't believe myself after three months. I can speak English!

Guys, please! I want you to speak English as much as possible, because this is very good, worthwhile and important for you!

The Hope...by Mohamed Abogila

The Hope

by Mohamed Abogila (in Libya)

I can do something.

You can do something.

We can do something.

What's going on?

First of all, I would like to say I am from Libya!
Which means I am proud to be Libyan.

I am a person who likes his country very much and I always speak about the real history

What's going on?!
Why?!
We don't have..!
We have to..!

Libya is going down. It's going to hell.
Sorry to say that, but it's the truth.

Why? Simply, this country misses the hope and the hope and the hope.

They give up.
They are impatient.
They are selfish.
They are weak.

Hope to be challenging and
do to have, do to get.

Hope to be patient and take breath and relax without any stress.

Hope to be humble and friends and smile.

Let me tell the world something.

Libya is fire. To burn even you.
You can't touch or do something.

The people are the dark, which means...
You can't see if you want to think to steal or destroy something..

I am like the air.
Free and fresh...
Which means
If there is a problem, I can push it away.
Far away.

Are we ready?
Ready to do...

This word, "do" means a lot.
If you agree, we should do.

I am sure I know we have the ability,
but when are you going to start?
When are you going to feel?
And when are you going to win?

Life is a game and I will win.

Hope to be a strong, powerful hero.

We are here.
Today, but tomorrow...
We don't know.

Where will we be?

This country could be the best and the worst.
About the people, actually.

People can do, feel, make, hurt, decide and hope.

They can make this country.

He loves to show the fire on the ice. How is it?

Libya. Yeah, it's one word, but it means the power.

I've been to many places.
They asked me, "Where are you from?"

I just give a big smile. With myself, I am self-confident and I reply, I am from LIBYA.
I feel like the King in the castle or fire to burn or dry to die.

Libya is not the problem.
The real problem is us.

Any country has bad things, but also - there is a solution.
Always.

It's like a game.
You have to be the winner.
To survive.
To be free.

Like the lion in the jungle.
Strong, smart and organized. 

Am I crazy?
Simply, no...

I am too crazy of loving my country.
It's my morning to the evening...until the night.
It's my blood.

No one can live without blood.
Which means we have to love our country.
To defend from any bad things.

Libya is a country and it will fly, shine, high in the sky.
In the world.
On my paper.
And in our hearts.

Libya.
Libya.
Libya.

The Hopeful...by Abdulgader

From Google Images

by Abdulgader (Libya)

Our life.
Easy. Difficult.
Everything makes us either annoyed or comfortable.

What do I want?
What do I need?

If you are a hard worker, nothing is impossible.
Even small animals works to feed herself
or for her children to grow up being joyful one day.

Start in the morning until late in the evening.
Ants. People. Elephants. Bees
They like to try many difficult things in their lives.

The more you jump, the more you grow.

Don't give your heart to the hopeless.
Keep going to the top.
Nothing is impossible.

Larger than its size...by Marwan

From Google Images

Larger than its size
by Marwan (Libya)

This picture is very expressive (it carries good meaning). It talks about the ant. It's a small animal, but it has incredible activity. It works all the time and does not feel bored.

This picture teaches us how to work without boredom and to face challenging difficulties.

The ant works hard and co-operates with each other to build their castle and storage for food.

The meaning? The ant has a job that is larger than its size.

It still has the power...by Mustafa

From Google Images

It still has the power
by Mustafa (Libya)

The picture appears how the ant is working. How it lives in the desert. On the rocks. Besides the sea, on the beach...and it still has the power until sunset.

It tried to live in hard areas and with multiple difficult interventions, like who can get her food and living facility?

It is an amazing picture and I hope that the human must know how difficult it is to get a good life without hard work.

No pain. No gain.

I won't surrender...by Mohamed

From Google Images

I won't surrender
by Mohamed (Libya)

I can see the ant.
It will try to do something difficult.
With the end of the day, it keeps trying
...and it's tomorrow.

It's a new day.
And I will try again.
So whatever.
I will try again and again.

And I won't surrender.
Never.
Every day is a new start.

If the world doesn't support me,
I can support myself.

When I fail in something,
I try to go to the top.
I will try and I will do.
Finally, I do.

Nothing is impossible.
I am possible.

No pain.
No gain.

Let me go with you...by Mohi

Many know that I can gush about my students. But who can blame me? At the best of times, they produce little pieces of treasure, like the one I'd like to share in this post. I beam with pride and want to share it with as many as I can.

I have a group of students who meet me on a weekly basis. For a set period of time, we all (myself included) write on a given topic / prompt. My purpose is not to improve grammar or "teach" so to speak. I do this because I want my students to see words as I do. I want them to see that words are powerful. If used correctly, they can lift off a page and dance around - evoking all kinds of emotions.

For this particular piece, I gave students the first line, which they would have to continue writing on.
They all did so well, but I'd like to share one in particular today. Very well-written, Mohi!
Enjoy!

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by Mohidin Amar Esaadi (31/07)
"Darling, it's beautiful...thank you!"

Oh, my dear. You always surprise me. 
Do you believe me? I always wished for this gift, especially from you.

You are so late to arrive at my party. 
It was so boring without you, but now -  I forgive you.

My love, you are inside me...reading my thoughts, my feelings. 
You suspect my reaction to everything.

You have all the keys of the doors to my heart, running inside me like blood.
You are my world. My air. My spirit. 
I'm with you felling love, stability, peacefulness. 
Feeling like I have everything. 

Without you, I'm lost in this world feeling alone and sad. 
Isolated.

What are you doing to me?
Who are you?

Are you breathing like us (people)?
Eating when you're hungry, drinking when you're thirsty?
I don't think so. Maybe you are an angel from the sky. 

Let me go with you...far away from this sad world. 
Maybe to the moon.