Kids Galore

On Wed, I started my job and then quickly switched jobs. I met Teresita at the children's clinic unclear of what I would do. Apparently, Teresita also was unsure since my Spanish still had a ways to go before I could interact with adults. She volunteers every Wed and just directs the parents to the right window and that didn't sound very fun. She told me that I would not get much kid interaction and suggested that I volunteer with a daycare center down the road. We went to visit and I fell in love with the kids and figured that they would be forgiving of my Spanish and would be easy to understand.

The daycare holds about 55 2 to 6 yr olds. About 32 of the children live at the daycare from Mon to Fri because their parents either live too far, or work in other people's houses during the week or just don't have the money to take care of their own children during the week. The daycare is partially funded by the used clothing shop attached to it that is run by elderly volunteers as well as through grants since they are NGO affiliated.

So, how do I spend my days? I teach the children how to tie their shoes. I encourage them to share their toys. I kiss their booboos when they fall and wipe away their tears. I play make-believe with them and participate in their activities. I give them tissues and instruct them on how to blow their own noses. In return, they teach me the latest dance moves. They keep me full of smiles all day long. They show me the world through their young eyes. They even let me nap with them. I only wish that their parents could share in the joy that I have in watching them grow.learn and explore every day. Most of the time, I have at least 10 of them screaming for me to watch them play while another 5 of them sit on me or hold onto a part of me. They love the attention and need the affection.

Although, I thought that I would better understand their Spanish, I have found 4 year olds Spanish even harder to follow, especially, when it comes through the intermittent sobbing. Today, I had to ask Mariella, one of the teachers, to translate as to why Marie was crying. Usually the kids cry over another child taking their toy. Apparently, Marie thought I had left and was sad. She didn't want me to leave again. Hearing that broke my heart because I know that I will eventually have to leave and I don't want to hurt the children. They are all so precious. I have grown attached them as they have to me.

Today, I asked the children to sing some songs to me and 5yr old Daniella broke out into a popular rock song, and 2 backup singers joined her in full dance. She rocked on and we eventually all joined in. So, this is my new life and home and I am looking into also helping with a local orphanage if it works out in time. I love the weather and people of Medellin; they are just so hospitable and friendly.

In fact, a 68 yr old local man, Juan Guillermo joined me for dinner tonight. I went out alone to a hole in a wall since I haven't felt very social in the evenings after the last couple days with 55 kids. Juan migrated over to my table and bought me a beer and then displayed all of his obsessive compulsive tendencies by moving all my dishes around in just the right order and in making me eat just how he would eat the food. The salad had to have a certain dressing, as did the chicken and the beans had to be combined with the bread in just the right way, and I had to drink my beer when he thought I should, etc. etc. I appreciated the company, nonetheless, as well as his hospitable nature; he insisted on paying for my dinner in the end. Although, at the end of the dinner, I saw his 68 yr old lips coming directly towards my face and I swiftly moved in time to receive a kiss on the check. He then went his merry way in the other direction.