Take Backs
November 29th, 2005 by AliciaOK, the Ladrillera isnt perfect. I think it was the day after I wrote that post that I had the worst day there! Mike was sick so I went by myself. There were at least 20 children there and they were awful! Two of the older girls were horsing around – running, screaming, sort of play fighting with each other. They were getting all of the younger children worked up. When I told the girls to stop several times they didnt listen. It was especially difficult because my Spanish doesnt work well when Im frustrated and under pressure! Eventually I ended up kicking everyone out an hour and a half early. The next day with Mike was pretty similar. We seem to have it under control now, but man was it frustrating!
The orphanage is getting better. Ive been alternating between the babies and the toddlers. Last week our program director gave us a notebook in which previous volunteers had written suggestions (three weeks late, but thats ok). Anyway, in the notebook one of the girls talked about spending one-on-one time with the children and also taking them outside. I hadnt even considered those things before because there were too many children for one adult. Well, the next day I asked the staff person if I could take only a few toddlers outside and she quickly agreed. I took four outside at a time and it was great! The babies are also going well, because theyre just so cute! I basically spend about 5 or 10 minutes with each one. Just making goofy noises and faces and holding them. Its been nice.
Before we left for Peru my Dad asked me what I would miss the most from our normal life. I think I said going out to nice restaurants. Well, I know for sure now that its toilet seats! I think Ive turned into my grandmother. I rate a place based on the quality of the toilet. If it has toilet paper, its good. If it has toilet paper and a seat, its great. If it has toilet paper, a seat, and running water, its amazing! So far, the worst one was in a restuarant, La Favorita. The bathroom was really small with dirty mops and buckets, water all over the floor, no seat, no paper, and… a giant bag of potatoes propped against the toilet! After returning to our table I saw one of the cooks go into the bathroom with an empty basket and come out with the basket full of potatoes. Needless to say, I didnt eat my French Fries with that meal!
Ciao!
December 2nd, 2005 at 11:41 am
Hi MIke and Alicia,
I had a few ideas for games and activities.
Use potatoes or vegies to carve faces and let them dry out.
YOu can also make stamps out of them.
Make clay figures, use leaves to make stencils, paper plate faces pictures,
snow flakes from paper, make instruments using recycle materials,
teach them to plant seeds, or make a lettuce hanging thing where the vegie grows while it is hanging in the air maybe with a close hanger and a recycled plastic, maybe make perfume from flower leaves in a jar, make cards, go fish, do you want us to send some games? What is your address
Love Laura
December 2nd, 2005 at 12:55 pm
Toilet taters???? Ewe…..
Hi Guys! Hope this finds both of you feeling well. I was thinking about the kids and soccer came to mind. An outside activity would keep them kiddies busy and entertained and what kid doesn’t like Soccer? And, it only requires a ball.. easy breezy! Or what about some sort of painting? Water colors are cheap and can be used on normal paper, you may find some hidden talents…
Love and light to you~Keep in touch.
Oh ya, the protege says honk-honk.
~Deidra
December 3rd, 2005 at 1:02 pm
Thanks for the suggestions. We actually have a few ideas to keep us going though the end of the year. Last week we made necklaces out of different types of pasta. Soon we will start a project of making picture frames out of popsicle sticks. We hope to take their pictures and get them printed so they can bring a picture of themselves home.
Thanks for the offer to send supplies, but we dont need anything right now. We were told a package is on the way so if that works out we may ask for stuff later.
December 7th, 2005 at 6:56 pm
Gives a whole new meaning to, “Potato head!”