Thursday, January 31, 2008
Nuevos ingresos
On Tuesday night, the volunteers had a dinner for the nuevos ingresos (new arrivals). It was a chance for the 11 new arrivals to get to know the volunteers better and understand that we are here if they need anything. The dinner was so much fun and I think the kids really appreciated it.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Back to work
Today I got back to work after a weekend descanso. But now I am about to get the "real feel" for being a volunteer because I won't have another break for 15 days.
Anyway, I had a really great day in the section. ( I selected primeros and worked with them last Thursday and Friday) Today was a breath of fresh air because my first day in the section was quite a shock. One of the girls left to go home with her parents, but before she left she tried to steal as much stuff from the lockers as she could. On top of that two of the girls ran away, including the sister of one of the encargadas in my section who is also the sister of my Goddaughter. Thankfully, Maggie was found last night and wanted to return to the house.
As I am sure you can imagine, the first day had me a little concerned, but the girls in my section are really sweet. One of them had me translate a letter to her Godmother into English and they all bring me treats from the tienda. Today was really fun because I felt a little more confidant with my Spanish and was able to joke around with the girls. All the girls ask about my boyfriend (novio) and the ones who have met him like to brag that they already know him.
I am very excited for the next year. I know it will be challenging, but I think the rewards will far outweigh any hardships.
On another note, I am getting to know my Goddaughter's family better and I am more amazed by them every day. I work with the oldest sister in the section and Maggie (the youngest girl) is really wonderful. Tonight she was telling me how Marce (my Goddaughter) had shown her pictures of me. And tonight at dinner the youngest boy came over to see me and give me a hug. I feel very blessed.
Peace
Anyway, I had a really great day in the section. ( I selected primeros and worked with them last Thursday and Friday) Today was a breath of fresh air because my first day in the section was quite a shock. One of the girls left to go home with her parents, but before she left she tried to steal as much stuff from the lockers as she could. On top of that two of the girls ran away, including the sister of one of the encargadas in my section who is also the sister of my Goddaughter. Thankfully, Maggie was found last night and wanted to return to the house.
As I am sure you can imagine, the first day had me a little concerned, but the girls in my section are really sweet. One of them had me translate a letter to her Godmother into English and they all bring me treats from the tienda. Today was really fun because I felt a little more confidant with my Spanish and was able to joke around with the girls. All the girls ask about my boyfriend (novio) and the ones who have met him like to brag that they already know him.
I am very excited for the next year. I know it will be challenging, but I think the rewards will far outweigh any hardships.
On another note, I am getting to know my Goddaughter's family better and I am more amazed by them every day. I work with the oldest sister in the section and Maggie (the youngest girl) is really wonderful. Tonight she was telling me how Marce (my Goddaughter) had shown her pictures of me. And tonight at dinner the youngest boy came over to see me and give me a hug. I feel very blessed.
Peace
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Chores
I can honestly say I have never worked this hard in my entire life. We are preparing for the upcoming International Meeting and that means no activities, only extra chores. My body aches and my skin is drying out from the cleaning chemicals. (I recently added an amazing pair of yellow rubber gloves to my closet.)
Yesterday we cleaned the tables and benches in the comedor and today we scrubbed the floor on hands and knees. These chores don't include the daily sweeping that all the volunteers do. But, really I don't have much to complain about. The chores go by quickly and the girls are fun to work with.
Today I worked with primeros. It is a really great section and the other year of service encargadas are very nice and helpful. I actually got a run in this morning after the girls went to school with one of the encargadas. We went running right as the sun was coming up and it was really beautiful.
I spoke with the director about working with tthe Secundaria girls and she was very supportive. So wish me luck. Any advice for raising teenagers would be much appreciated. I already have a new appreciation for my parents. I am going to make my selection tomorrow, once I have had a chance to sleep on it. I am looking forward to the opportunity. I am prepared for the challenges and I know that I have a chance to really get to know the girls in my section.
My life here is not all hard work. Last night we had a volunteer dinner with the directors and other volunteers. I was on the cooking team and it was wonderful to have a well balanced meal instead of the typical meal of beans and totillas. (That was actually the dinner tonight.)
Peace
Yesterday we cleaned the tables and benches in the comedor and today we scrubbed the floor on hands and knees. These chores don't include the daily sweeping that all the volunteers do. But, really I don't have much to complain about. The chores go by quickly and the girls are fun to work with.
Today I worked with primeros. It is a really great section and the other year of service encargadas are very nice and helpful. I actually got a run in this morning after the girls went to school with one of the encargadas. We went running right as the sun was coming up and it was really beautiful.
I spoke with the director about working with tthe Secundaria girls and she was very supportive. So wish me luck. Any advice for raising teenagers would be much appreciated. I already have a new appreciation for my parents. I am going to make my selection tomorrow, once I have had a chance to sleep on it. I am looking forward to the opportunity. I am prepared for the challenges and I know that I have a chance to really get to know the girls in my section.
My life here is not all hard work. Last night we had a volunteer dinner with the directors and other volunteers. I was on the cooking team and it was wonderful to have a well balanced meal instead of the typical meal of beans and totillas. (That was actually the dinner tonight.)
Peace
Monday, January 21, 2008
Life in secundaria
Today I received a glimpse of what my life will be like if I work in Secundaria...Wow! Secundaria is the three sections of older girls in Miacatlan; they are teenagers. Right now I am leaning toward working in Secundaria. I think this is the group that needs my help the most and I think there are so many more opportunities to interact. I am a little nervous because everyone says this is the toughest age to work with, but I really felt good about it. I am going to have a meeting with one of the directors to discuss my options.
Anyway, my day began at 4:45 a.m. I went to the segundo section of Secundaria and helped supervise chores with the other encargada. At 6:30 the girls ate breakfast and then went to school at 7. I had time to quickly down three cups of coffee before I had to do sweeping chores at 8. At 10, I helped set up and serve breakfast. From about 11 to 1, I had time to do my laundry and read. Lunch was at 2 and then the girls had to work in the fields for two hours helping to pick the corn. After that they studied, showered, ate dinner, read, prayed and went to bed. Needless to say my 15 hour day has left me exhausted!
But, the best part of my day happened at the end. I was talking to some of the older girls about me and my life. They asked about my Goddaughter and I told them I had known her for six years. They then asked what group from Minnesota I used to come down with. I described some of the people in the group and they remembered them. And Then to my surprise, they wanted to sing songs they had learned from our group years ago. They remembered the words. I was totally floored. We came down for one week at a time and are remembered more than six years later. I am so proud to have been part of those groups and I am so proud to know that the work we did was valuable.
Well, I am off to sleep. I am doing the same thing tomorrow with terceros and then with primeros (other sections of Secundaria) on Wednesday.
Peace
Anyway, my day began at 4:45 a.m. I went to the segundo section of Secundaria and helped supervise chores with the other encargada. At 6:30 the girls ate breakfast and then went to school at 7. I had time to quickly down three cups of coffee before I had to do sweeping chores at 8. At 10, I helped set up and serve breakfast. From about 11 to 1, I had time to do my laundry and read. Lunch was at 2 and then the girls had to work in the fields for two hours helping to pick the corn. After that they studied, showered, ate dinner, read, prayed and went to bed. Needless to say my 15 hour day has left me exhausted!
But, the best part of my day happened at the end. I was talking to some of the older girls about me and my life. They asked about my Goddaughter and I told them I had known her for six years. They then asked what group from Minnesota I used to come down with. I described some of the people in the group and they remembered them. And Then to my surprise, they wanted to sing songs they had learned from our group years ago. They remembered the words. I was totally floored. We came down for one week at a time and are remembered more than six years later. I am so proud to have been part of those groups and I am so proud to know that the work we did was valuable.
Well, I am off to sleep. I am doing the same thing tomorrow with terceros and then with primeros (other sections of Secundaria) on Wednesday.
Peace
Sunday, January 20, 2008
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