Saturday

It couldn't have been a more beautiful day today. The weather was a perfect temperature for playing and working. With it being Saturday, there is less structure but yet lots of organized activities to do. Before activities and play, there are chores to do and this group of kids are ready after being given their tasks.  

We as a team are deciding what we have to do next too, but there was time for a team picture first. 

 There is a group of young university students who come in to teach English to the children and we noted that the kids are speaking better English this year.  We were glad to see one of the former teachers who left El Hogar to study languages, come to teach the kids practical English. Some of us sat in the classes and experienced the English class with them assisting in pronunciation and conversation. 

 In between their classes, they took breaks with free time and that is where we came in, with our Frisbees and soccer balls, colouring, origami and games. The morning went quickly and the kids were interested in hanging about with us, as well as practicing their English with us: “How are you?” What is your name?” “Where do you live?” 

 Alongside this activity, Nan and Ros were doing an inventory of all the items brought with us and we are grateful to parishioners and friends and professionals who donated so much toothpaste and toothbrushes, soap and deodorant!

In the distance, we could hear music lessons being done from the recorder classes to the drumming classes. In another corner, we watched Joshua giving a haircut to one of the younger boys. Joshua is one of the high school boys and an excellent artist and so he was being very artistic with the haircut. You never see a bad haircut here, so whoever is doing them all, knows what they are doing! 

We also spent time in the evening doing the same activities and loved how the kids interacted with each other and with us.

The children are priceless and love to have their photos taken:

 Julio, on of the activity students is teaching some the game of Chess.  I am not sure we want to take on some of these kids in some of the chess skills,

 These two were determined to get this puzzle finished.

 Junior, one of the high school students who lives on campus, was accompanying some o the girls doing their crafts.  

 One of the highlights of the day was spending an hour with Claudia, the Director

who updated us on the changes at el Hogar. After 27 years here, she is as passionate as ever about her job. She is mother and mentor to every child in this place and to those who have lived and studied here in the past. The focus here now is to make this more of a family atmosphere for the children. Dinner as a “family” setting with siblings sitting with each other rather than in age groups or classes. They serve each other at the dinner table with their own food and pray together as a table family rather than in a large group in lines outside before they enter the dining hall. The birthday of each child is celebrated on the day rather than once a month and on those days the child gets a card and a cake and balloons as we would do with our own family. Lots of little things that are important to each child to make them feel important and loved. She is most inspiring to us with her visions for this place and her dedication to the children.

We have busy days, but when we can, we nip up to the office to get some WiFi, so we can  catch the Olympic news - and are proud of Canada and all their efforts. 

Our reflection, meditation and sharing time are becoming more interesting and meaningful as we get to know each other better and share our faith and our feelings.