It is nice to have these last few days to work on our presentations. I can not believe that tomorrow is the last day of our senior project. This has honestly been one of the most life changing months of my entire life and I am so glad that I chose to do a senior project.
It is important that Claire and I got together today to make sure we were on the same page as far as our presentations. We had to figure out what we want to talk about and what our goal is for our presentations. Since we will have two different audiences, the presentation in assembly will be a much briefer presentation. We created an outline for our presentations so when we start to make it, we will have a much easier time putting it all together. Today was a successful day and I can not believe it is all coming to an end!
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Daily Reflection Wednesday April 27th
Today was interesting to say the least. I woke up super early, earlier than I have this entire month and went to meet Claire. We then put on our scrubs and headed to Grady hospital with one of the head trauma surgeons. Once we arrived, there was a meeting for about an hour. The first twenty minutes was an overview for all of the staff of the different patients. Then a resident gave a presentation on something about the esophagus. She kind of lost me with all of the fancy medical terms but I still found it interesting. After that each field broke up into groups. For example, Dr. Morse, is in charge of surgery so we were with nurse practitioners who do surgery, as well as registered nurses, residences, and another physician.
Then an interesting call was paging the nurses that a gunshot victim was in an ambulance to the trauma center at Grady. Since I know Grady hospital has one of the best trauma centers in the entire country I knew that a once in a lifetime scene could be coming my way. But it doesn't actually hit you until you are living these scenes in real life. We were able to go to the trauma center and I watched all of the nurses get suited up. It was like a scene out of a movie. There were dozens of people in this room. Nurses put on protective gowns and a body bag was already covering the bed. I am usually pretty good with blood so I was not worried about my personal state. Then after about twenty minutes I hear "Okay, he is here." My stomach dropped as I saw the feet of a lifeless patient being wheeled into the hospital room. Then he was taken off of the ambulance bed (I don't know what it is called) and on to the hospital bed. There were several paramedics from the ambulance there as well. The patient was quickly assessed to make sure there was no pulse. Unfortunately he was not alive. After that they had to count all of the gunshot wounds. All of the nurses were encouraging us to get a closer look and really see a trauma victim up close and personal. The most important thing that I noticed with these nurses and doctors is that they try their best to have fun and be happy even in difficult situations like the death of this man. It was not too big of a surprise because he had no pulse even on the ambulance, but it is still sad knowing that someone has died.
Did I mention this has already been my morning and it was only 9:30 AM? What a fast pace and interesting experience. After the trauma center, we went up stairs to the surgery clinic for several hours and checked patients with Dr. Morse. This was not as fast pace as earlier this morning but I still thoroughly enjoyed everything. We saw several patients who were there for different reasons. Luckily, they were all in good states! Today was very interesting and informative and I really enjoyed this experience at Grady Hospital.
Then an interesting call was paging the nurses that a gunshot victim was in an ambulance to the trauma center at Grady. Since I know Grady hospital has one of the best trauma centers in the entire country I knew that a once in a lifetime scene could be coming my way. But it doesn't actually hit you until you are living these scenes in real life. We were able to go to the trauma center and I watched all of the nurses get suited up. It was like a scene out of a movie. There were dozens of people in this room. Nurses put on protective gowns and a body bag was already covering the bed. I am usually pretty good with blood so I was not worried about my personal state. Then after about twenty minutes I hear "Okay, he is here." My stomach dropped as I saw the feet of a lifeless patient being wheeled into the hospital room. Then he was taken off of the ambulance bed (I don't know what it is called) and on to the hospital bed. There were several paramedics from the ambulance there as well. The patient was quickly assessed to make sure there was no pulse. Unfortunately he was not alive. After that they had to count all of the gunshot wounds. All of the nurses were encouraging us to get a closer look and really see a trauma victim up close and personal. The most important thing that I noticed with these nurses and doctors is that they try their best to have fun and be happy even in difficult situations like the death of this man. It was not too big of a surprise because he had no pulse even on the ambulance, but it is still sad knowing that someone has died.
Did I mention this has already been my morning and it was only 9:30 AM? What a fast pace and interesting experience. After the trauma center, we went up stairs to the surgery clinic for several hours and checked patients with Dr. Morse. This was not as fast pace as earlier this morning but I still thoroughly enjoyed everything. We saw several patients who were there for different reasons. Luckily, they were all in good states! Today was very interesting and informative and I really enjoyed this experience at Grady Hospital.
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Daily Reflection Tuesday April 26th
It felt pretty good to wake up today in my own bed! It was weird because I got so used to the daily routine in Belize and now I have to adapt back to my daily routine in Atlanta. For the first part of the day I went back to school! It was nice to see all of my friends and teachers because I feel like I haven't seen them in years. Seriously, the weeks before Belize seem like months and months ago.
Anyways, I got to attend senior chapel which I am so glad I got to do. Then I was able to go to lunch and I went back home to upload my pictures from all of the trip. I went through all of the pictures as well. In a way, I am glad I was unable to take pictures of the children because I think I would have been a lot more emotional. After that I took some much needed time off. Then I logged and blogged. I am so exhausted so hopefully I will be able to get back to my normal schedule! Tomorrow we are interning at Grady hospital so I am excited to see how that will go. I am looking forward to the final few days of what have been an incredible month.
Daily Reflection Monday April 25th
Today was an early and emotional day. The anticipation was intense because we both knew we had to say goodbye to dozens of people we have grown so close to. I already miss these kids so much, so hopefully at some point in my life I will go back to Liberty Children's home.
Today was an extra bright and early day. We woke up and went to help cook breakfast. The cook unfortunately got sick so we quickly stepped in and cooked some breakfast for the kids. The breakfast was once again tortillas. I really wish we could some how provide a way for these kids to eat healthy. Unfortunately eating healthy can be expensive so this is difficult for Liberty because they do not have a lot of money to spend. After that we helped set up breakfast and ate our final meal with the children. The mood was very different and quiet. No one was really talking and the cook was still suffering from feeling sick. It was just a different morning and anyone could tell that something was off.
Then we said goodbye to the older kids who leave early everyday. This was probably one of the hardest moments of this whole experience because I really bonded with a lot of the older kids. When I said goodbye to one of the older girls she said to me "I am really going to miss you". This made me feel several different types of emotions because I will miss her so much as well. It also made me feel so happy and lucky that I got to experience this magical children's home in Belize and meet these unbelievable people.
Then we walked the kids to the school bus stop. It was pretty quiet once again and I held on tight to some of the kids' hands one last time. I hugged every child, and my stomach dropped as the school bus was approaching the bus stop. I knew that it was time for them to leave. As they were getting on the bus they quickly got into their seats and were all looking out the window waving goodbye. This was a moment I won't forget!
Once the kids left we went back and cleaned up the kitchen because the cook went home. Then we helped with the laundry one last time. After that, it was time to do some last minute tasks around our apartment. We cleaned up so the staff at Liberty had less to do. We swept and made it look how it did when we got there. Then we said goodbye to all the staff at Liberty and got in the van and went to the airport. It was time to go back home after an amazing experience! This has been the most life changing two weeks of my life.
Today was an extra bright and early day. We woke up and went to help cook breakfast. The cook unfortunately got sick so we quickly stepped in and cooked some breakfast for the kids. The breakfast was once again tortillas. I really wish we could some how provide a way for these kids to eat healthy. Unfortunately eating healthy can be expensive so this is difficult for Liberty because they do not have a lot of money to spend. After that we helped set up breakfast and ate our final meal with the children. The mood was very different and quiet. No one was really talking and the cook was still suffering from feeling sick. It was just a different morning and anyone could tell that something was off.
Then we said goodbye to the older kids who leave early everyday. This was probably one of the hardest moments of this whole experience because I really bonded with a lot of the older kids. When I said goodbye to one of the older girls she said to me "I am really going to miss you". This made me feel several different types of emotions because I will miss her so much as well. It also made me feel so happy and lucky that I got to experience this magical children's home in Belize and meet these unbelievable people.
Then we walked the kids to the school bus stop. It was pretty quiet once again and I held on tight to some of the kids' hands one last time. I hugged every child, and my stomach dropped as the school bus was approaching the bus stop. I knew that it was time for them to leave. As they were getting on the bus they quickly got into their seats and were all looking out the window waving goodbye. This was a moment I won't forget!
Once the kids left we went back and cleaned up the kitchen because the cook went home. Then we helped with the laundry one last time. After that, it was time to do some last minute tasks around our apartment. We cleaned up so the staff at Liberty had less to do. We swept and made it look how it did when we got there. Then we said goodbye to all the staff at Liberty and got in the van and went to the airport. It was time to go back home after an amazing experience! This has been the most life changing two weeks of my life.
Friday, April 22, 2016
Daily Reflection Friday April 22nd
Today was a day that was solely focused around the kids. A lot of them did not have school today, so just like last Friday I played with them almost all day. It was incredibly hot today, but I pushed through it and kept drinking water. It still is hard to believe that a lot of these kids do not have parents because they are some of the happiest individuals I have ever been around. They are truly all amazing children, all 43 of them. I will miss them all dearly and it will definitely be weird not hearing cheerful noises from young children when I get back to my routine in Atlanta.
Since the caregivers had a lot of the kids home today they still had to do laundry and other tasks. They asked us to keep the kids occupied while they did that. We did math problems with them and I helped a lot of the kids on how to do them. Like I have said before school work is very difficult for a lot of these children. Several of them continued to struggle even with these simple math problems. After a few hours of doing problems I played with the kids outside. Then we took a much needed lunch break. After that it was time to get back to playing with the kids. Again, I continued to get better at basketball with some more games. I played some soccer with the kids and just relaxed with them as well. It is nice to just be able to have laid back moments like these. During the week they are on tight schedules because they have to do homework. But, these days are my favorite because everyone is so relaxed. It makes the energy around Liberty incredible, and is not making me feel good that I have to leave in just three days. However, I am ready to get back to the comforts of home but not ready to leave the children. These are bonds that I will cherish forever and hopefully I will come back here to visit and volunteer.
Overall, today was another wonderful day. I am looking forward to more quality time spent with the kids. I also should probably start to pack considering I have not even touched my unpacked suitcase in twelve days! So, a little bit of packing will be done tomorrow as well. I can't wait to spend time with these phenomenal kids these last few days at Liberty Children's home!
Since the caregivers had a lot of the kids home today they still had to do laundry and other tasks. They asked us to keep the kids occupied while they did that. We did math problems with them and I helped a lot of the kids on how to do them. Like I have said before school work is very difficult for a lot of these children. Several of them continued to struggle even with these simple math problems. After a few hours of doing problems I played with the kids outside. Then we took a much needed lunch break. After that it was time to get back to playing with the kids. Again, I continued to get better at basketball with some more games. I played some soccer with the kids and just relaxed with them as well. It is nice to just be able to have laid back moments like these. During the week they are on tight schedules because they have to do homework. But, these days are my favorite because everyone is so relaxed. It makes the energy around Liberty incredible, and is not making me feel good that I have to leave in just three days. However, I am ready to get back to the comforts of home but not ready to leave the children. These are bonds that I will cherish forever and hopefully I will come back here to visit and volunteer.
Overall, today was another wonderful day. I am looking forward to more quality time spent with the kids. I also should probably start to pack considering I have not even touched my unpacked suitcase in twelve days! So, a little bit of packing will be done tomorrow as well. I can't wait to spend time with these phenomenal kids these last few days at Liberty Children's home!
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Daily Reflection Thursday April 21st
Today was another day at Liberty Children's home. It was also a little bit different and probably one of my favorite days. We started out with the same morning routine, especially because there will only be a few mornings left we will be here when they are going to school. Then we went to the main office to return our completed questionnaires and we had to do a video. We had to answer several questions about Liberty, the children, the country, and our experience as a whole. Then Wafi was leaving and told me to jump in the van with him so I did. I went to the hardware store with him and we got a few things that he needed for the transitional home. I helped him load it in the van. It was cool to drive through the village and see that he knows everyone. All people in Ladyville are incredibly friendly. I got to see a day in the life of someone who lives in Ladyville and I am definitely glad I got to do this today. Once we got back to Liberty I helped him unload the van and then I helped Wafi and Moses, a handy man, using the pieces we got with plumbing. It was awesome to see how good our yellow painted room looked all dry in the transitional home.
Then it was lunch time for the kids. We rode with Wafi to a few different schools to deliver lunches to the kids who live at Liberty. There are groups of kids that go to different schools to meet their needs. The first stop we went to is where a few girls go to. It was cool to get to see their school even if it was just from inside the van. Then we went to the high school to drop off some more lunches for a few kids. Then, we had to pick up about fifteen to twenty kids from the school that most kids at Liberty go to. We brought them back for their lunchtime. Then it was lunch break.
After that, I went and helped out Moses and Wafi some more in the transitional home. Then I decided I wanted to ride with Moses to Belize City to pick up some kids from school. There are usually three kids that get picked up. One is named Christopher who is deaf so he goes to a school specific to his needs. The other two, one with down syndrome go to a school in Belize City. The ride to pick them up was beautiful. We passed through a river called the Belize River which is absolutely gorgeous. The ride to pick up the kids probably took about forty minutes. It was cool to drive through the city and I loved seeing the kids wave to me as they got in the van. I feel like a part of their family now. It is one that I will definitely miss. We rode back to Ladyville and stopped at a little shop and got snacks and juice for the kids. Then it was playtime and homework time. I helped with homework and played soccer, basketball, and ran races with the kids. It is starting to hit me that I only have a few more nights left here in Belize. I am sad that it is all coming to an end, but am sure ready to get back home to my family, friends, and my own bed. This has truly been a life changing experience and I look forward to another great day at Liberty, tomorrow!
This is the Belize River!
This is the juice we got on the way back from Belize City.
Then it was lunch time for the kids. We rode with Wafi to a few different schools to deliver lunches to the kids who live at Liberty. There are groups of kids that go to different schools to meet their needs. The first stop we went to is where a few girls go to. It was cool to get to see their school even if it was just from inside the van. Then we went to the high school to drop off some more lunches for a few kids. Then, we had to pick up about fifteen to twenty kids from the school that most kids at Liberty go to. We brought them back for their lunchtime. Then it was lunch break.
After that, I went and helped out Moses and Wafi some more in the transitional home. Then I decided I wanted to ride with Moses to Belize City to pick up some kids from school. There are usually three kids that get picked up. One is named Christopher who is deaf so he goes to a school specific to his needs. The other two, one with down syndrome go to a school in Belize City. The ride to pick them up was beautiful. We passed through a river called the Belize River which is absolutely gorgeous. The ride to pick up the kids probably took about forty minutes. It was cool to drive through the city and I loved seeing the kids wave to me as they got in the van. I feel like a part of their family now. It is one that I will definitely miss. We rode back to Ladyville and stopped at a little shop and got snacks and juice for the kids. Then it was playtime and homework time. I helped with homework and played soccer, basketball, and ran races with the kids. It is starting to hit me that I only have a few more nights left here in Belize. I am sad that it is all coming to an end, but am sure ready to get back home to my family, friends, and my own bed. This has truly been a life changing experience and I look forward to another great day at Liberty, tomorrow!
This is the Belize River!
This is the juice we got on the way back from Belize City.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Daily Reflection Wednesday April 20th
As the time is dwindling here at Liberty, I am getting closer and closer with these children. Therefore I anticipate that saying good bye to them in five days time will not at all be easy. I have a feeling that Claire and I will need to use plenty of tissues on the airplane. In the meantime today was another awesome day. It started out with the usual, breakfast and walking them to the school bus. Then, we were able to paint some more. The best thing about this experience is we are able to make our own journey. No one is barking orders at us telling us what to do. However, we have still helped constantly where we possible could have for the past ten days. So today we painted over some cement in front of the dining hall. It looked really nice when it was all finished. We did several coats as well. Then we took a much needed lunch break.
After that we went to the preschool. Once again I am observing how far behind these kids are at age three and four. It is very concerning and I wish there was something I could do about it. However, I am just a volunteer so I can only help out where I can. I taught the children several concepts. Then, it was time for the kids to come home from school. I helped some with their homework and projects. I also met a couple who came to visit for a day who were from Miami. They were really cool and they played basketball with me and some of the older kids at the home. My basketball moves weren't shown through as much today, but I will get it back tomorrow. After hours of playing in the heat, it was time to eat dinner with the kids. After that Claire did aerobics and I sat out tonight. I showered and then blogged and logged about another wonderful day here at Liberty. Since our time is coming to an end here, we were given a questionnaire to fill out. So then I filled out the questionnaire. I am looking forward to our last few days here at Liberty Children's home!
After that we went to the preschool. Once again I am observing how far behind these kids are at age three and four. It is very concerning and I wish there was something I could do about it. However, I am just a volunteer so I can only help out where I can. I taught the children several concepts. Then, it was time for the kids to come home from school. I helped some with their homework and projects. I also met a couple who came to visit for a day who were from Miami. They were really cool and they played basketball with me and some of the older kids at the home. My basketball moves weren't shown through as much today, but I will get it back tomorrow. After hours of playing in the heat, it was time to eat dinner with the kids. After that Claire did aerobics and I sat out tonight. I showered and then blogged and logged about another wonderful day here at Liberty. Since our time is coming to an end here, we were given a questionnaire to fill out. So then I filled out the questionnaire. I am looking forward to our last few days here at Liberty Children's home!
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Daily Reflection Tuesday April 19th
Today was a day full of mixed emotions. It was also a little bit different than most days spent here at the children's home. It started out with the usual- helping out with breakfast and walking the kids to the bus stop. Then I helped out with the laundry. After that we were directed to the central part of the children's home which is not very big and Wafi, the security guy, instructed us where to paint. We basically could do whatever designs we want. This felt good knowing that he trusted us and our judgement. It especially made me feel good because I am probably the least artistic person you will ever meet. I can not even draw a round circle. But, he still trusted me to paint several benches and stepping stones.
I first started painting benches with a solid coat. Then I thought of a great idea to put hand prints on the benches. I started doing my handprints and then I thought it would be a lot more special to use one of the kid's handprints. So, I asked Wafi if I could use one of the six year old girl's handprints who was home from school today. She had chicken pox last week and she kept telling me she was going to "states" today. Her little brother was home too, so I thought the two of them were just going to states for her recorder. But, then Wafi told me it was their last day here. It all hit me, her and her twin brother were going to the United States. They were being adopted today! This was extra special because I helped her put her hand in the paint and put her hand prints all over the cement benches. We were able to take a few pictures with her, however her face can not show. So I am glad that I will always have this special memory in a photo. It really brought tears to my eyes knowing that this will be the last interaction ever spent with this beautiful adorable little girl. We bonded a lot last week because she was home with the chicken pox, so she had a special place in my heart at Liberty.
Once she helped me with the benches and I could feel the sun scorching and forming probably the best tan lines on my back (not really) I went inside and drank a ton of water. I also had some lunch. After my quick break I went back and painted some stepping stones in a pattern. This took a lot longer than I had anticipated because I had to wash my paint brush after painting each stepping stone. Once I finished I went back and painted two more benches. I painted the benches in a very cool (not going to lie) stripe pattern that matched the colors of the bridge Claire painted. It looked really really good once it was all finished. After painting and a few kids came home from school I played basketball with some of them. Then it was time for the twins' family to take them. I gave them a hug and really took in this last moment with them. I am not a person who cries easily and this definitely got to me. It was so sad to see those adorable children go but I was so happy to see them leave with a loving family who will give them the world. After they left I helped some kids with their homework. They had no idea how to do some of the concepts. This is really concerning because they were concepts that they should have grasped especially at their age.
Then it was play time. I played basketball once again. Not going to lie I have gotten pretty good at basketball. It really is shocking to me considering that I could not make a basket from two feet away a week ago. :) Now I am basically Lebron James. This is by far the best time of the day. The kids are smiling, I am smiling and everyone is just always happy. Overall today was a good day. And if I was as sad as I was saying goodbye to those precious children today, I can only imagine how I will be saying goodbye to the forty-three others still at Liberty Children's home. These last few days spent with these children I am going to try my best to make it the best days of this trip so far! I can't wait to hang out with them tomorrow!!!
I first started painting benches with a solid coat. Then I thought of a great idea to put hand prints on the benches. I started doing my handprints and then I thought it would be a lot more special to use one of the kid's handprints. So, I asked Wafi if I could use one of the six year old girl's handprints who was home from school today. She had chicken pox last week and she kept telling me she was going to "states" today. Her little brother was home too, so I thought the two of them were just going to states for her recorder. But, then Wafi told me it was their last day here. It all hit me, her and her twin brother were going to the United States. They were being adopted today! This was extra special because I helped her put her hand in the paint and put her hand prints all over the cement benches. We were able to take a few pictures with her, however her face can not show. So I am glad that I will always have this special memory in a photo. It really brought tears to my eyes knowing that this will be the last interaction ever spent with this beautiful adorable little girl. We bonded a lot last week because she was home with the chicken pox, so she had a special place in my heart at Liberty.
Once she helped me with the benches and I could feel the sun scorching and forming probably the best tan lines on my back (not really) I went inside and drank a ton of water. I also had some lunch. After my quick break I went back and painted some stepping stones in a pattern. This took a lot longer than I had anticipated because I had to wash my paint brush after painting each stepping stone. Once I finished I went back and painted two more benches. I painted the benches in a very cool (not going to lie) stripe pattern that matched the colors of the bridge Claire painted. It looked really really good once it was all finished. After painting and a few kids came home from school I played basketball with some of them. Then it was time for the twins' family to take them. I gave them a hug and really took in this last moment with them. I am not a person who cries easily and this definitely got to me. It was so sad to see those adorable children go but I was so happy to see them leave with a loving family who will give them the world. After they left I helped some kids with their homework. They had no idea how to do some of the concepts. This is really concerning because they were concepts that they should have grasped especially at their age.
Then it was play time. I played basketball once again. Not going to lie I have gotten pretty good at basketball. It really is shocking to me considering that I could not make a basket from two feet away a week ago. :) Now I am basically Lebron James. This is by far the best time of the day. The kids are smiling, I am smiling and everyone is just always happy. Overall today was a good day. And if I was as sad as I was saying goodbye to those precious children today, I can only imagine how I will be saying goodbye to the forty-three others still at Liberty Children's home. These last few days spent with these children I am going to try my best to make it the best days of this trip so far! I can't wait to hang out with them tomorrow!!!
Monday, April 18, 2016
Daily Reflection Monday April 18th
It is insane to think we have been here a week. Today started out with the usual, helping with breakfast and eating with the children. It is really nice to see what their days are like, or at least how they start out. Then we walked with them to the school bus stop. Some were holding my hands even in the burning heat. That puts a smile on my face just seeing that they actually like me:)
Then we went and played with the adorable children in the daycare. Then the security guy who also does everything on the compound came and grabbed us so we can paint a room. We went in this little house that I had never noticed until today. This house is being fixed up for next fall to be a transition home. This will be a place for the older kids to be because they do not need twenty four hour attention but they will still be able to get help if they need anything. So we went in there and we had to paint a room yellow. I have never seen so much yellow in my life. The paint splattered all over me to the point where it looked like I had just done a color run. It was in my face, my hair, my clothes. I discovered today that being a painter is definitely not my calling. A lot of work goes into painting room. Many people under estimate it. We had to be really careful once the brush got high because the paint could not touch the ceiling. So we used a smaller brush to paint the edge of the ceiling. Then we did the same to the edge of the ground and had to go over it to make the paint even. Once we did the whole room we went for a much needed lunch break. Then when we came back we went over the paint once more and it came out really nice. It was a good feeling inside knowing that when these older kids move into this home that I had a small part of making this place happen. I know its small compared to the big needs of their home, but it really is the little things that matter. It was worth every bit of frustration with perfecting that yellow room because now I know that they will not have a boring color to wake up to every morning.
Then once it was time for the kids to come home they quickly changed clothes and I helped them with their Spanish homework. After that I had my phone out and I played some of their favorite songs and we just played some basketball and danced. It is moments like these that I cherish the most at Liberty. When the kids are smiling and happy and everything else in their lives are forgotten is my favorite part of the day and trip. Tomorrow we will have more painting to do around the compound so I look forward to that now that I am basically Pablo Picasso. Then we set up their dinner and ate with them. After that we said good night. I then washed up and blogged, logged, and finally uploaded some pictures. It has been hard to take pictures because for safety reasons we cannot take pictures of the children. But, I will try to keep posting them when we do a successful task on the compound! I look forward to another long but rewarding day tomorrow.
Then we went and played with the adorable children in the daycare. Then the security guy who also does everything on the compound came and grabbed us so we can paint a room. We went in this little house that I had never noticed until today. This house is being fixed up for next fall to be a transition home. This will be a place for the older kids to be because they do not need twenty four hour attention but they will still be able to get help if they need anything. So we went in there and we had to paint a room yellow. I have never seen so much yellow in my life. The paint splattered all over me to the point where it looked like I had just done a color run. It was in my face, my hair, my clothes. I discovered today that being a painter is definitely not my calling. A lot of work goes into painting room. Many people under estimate it. We had to be really careful once the brush got high because the paint could not touch the ceiling. So we used a smaller brush to paint the edge of the ceiling. Then we did the same to the edge of the ground and had to go over it to make the paint even. Once we did the whole room we went for a much needed lunch break. Then when we came back we went over the paint once more and it came out really nice. It was a good feeling inside knowing that when these older kids move into this home that I had a small part of making this place happen. I know its small compared to the big needs of their home, but it really is the little things that matter. It was worth every bit of frustration with perfecting that yellow room because now I know that they will not have a boring color to wake up to every morning.
Then once it was time for the kids to come home they quickly changed clothes and I helped them with their Spanish homework. After that I had my phone out and I played some of their favorite songs and we just played some basketball and danced. It is moments like these that I cherish the most at Liberty. When the kids are smiling and happy and everything else in their lives are forgotten is my favorite part of the day and trip. Tomorrow we will have more painting to do around the compound so I look forward to that now that I am basically Pablo Picasso. Then we set up their dinner and ate with them. After that we said good night. I then washed up and blogged, logged, and finally uploaded some pictures. It has been hard to take pictures because for safety reasons we cannot take pictures of the children. But, I will try to keep posting them when we do a successful task on the compound! I look forward to another long but rewarding day tomorrow.
Friday, April 15, 2016
Daily Reflection Friday April 15th
It is crazy to think that this moment marks the half way point of my senior project, as well as this trip. I am loving the bonds I am making with these children and they are definitely friendships I will cherish for the rest of my life. Today was a laid back and fun day because the kids didn't have school today. There was no tight schedule and no running to the school bus stop. We woke up around the same time, and yep you guessed it... we did not wake up for aerobics. I guess running around with children for hours is enough aerobics in itself. Honestly today was all about the kids. We did not go to the daycare really, other than to help the cook by delivering them their lunch. So basically for twelve hours we hung out with the kids. They had chores to do so sometimes they would go and do that but we played games on the basketball court, had dance parties, and most importantly just saw smiles on these kids faces that made me happy. We also mopped some floors and helped clean up around the yard. We raked outside because the leaves were all over the place so we made it look really nice. We also hung their laundry because like I said, with forty five children and no drier there is a lot to hang up.
Another big project today was to fix a mini bridge that is in the middle of the yard in the orphanage. It goes over a tiny ditch in the middle of the yard. The construction men were fixing it by plastering cement over it making it look cleaner and newer. This was such a big task that we helped them do this by helping them make the cement and apply it on to the bridge.
The highlight of my day today was when I went to the library/computer room and sang songs with the older girls. We have similar music tastes so we listened to songs and danced to the music videos for hours. It was so much fun and when they had to leave to go do chores I could not believe that we had been sitting there and dancing for that long of a time. Today was a really fun, relaxed, great day. This weekend we will enjoy some off time but look forward to more time spent with the children next week.
Another big project today was to fix a mini bridge that is in the middle of the yard in the orphanage. It goes over a tiny ditch in the middle of the yard. The construction men were fixing it by plastering cement over it making it look cleaner and newer. This was such a big task that we helped them do this by helping them make the cement and apply it on to the bridge.
The highlight of my day today was when I went to the library/computer room and sang songs with the older girls. We have similar music tastes so we listened to songs and danced to the music videos for hours. It was so much fun and when they had to leave to go do chores I could not believe that we had been sitting there and dancing for that long of a time. Today was a really fun, relaxed, great day. This weekend we will enjoy some off time but look forward to more time spent with the children next week.
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Daily Reflection Thursday April 14th
Today started out pretty rough. All of these kids are really making me miss my family so I will definitely be excited to spend as much time with them as possible when I get home. I know you all are probably thinking, "how is this girl going to survive in college next year if she can't be without her family for four days?!" Yeah, whatever this is different. In college I will be very distracted. We started out the day with the usual. That is saying that we will wake up for aerobics at 4:45 AM but never actually do. But actually we woke up at around 6:00 AM and got ready for the normal 12 hour day. Then we went and helped set up breakfast. The meals are becoming incredibly repetitive. That is another thing I am thankful for... variety in my meals. Which is basically sushi, sushi, and more sushi. Then we walked them to the school bus stop. This is a moment I will never forget. We thought the kids were going to be late to the school bus so we were sprinting to the bus stop. Between the basketball playing and the running with the kids I think I will be coming to ATL in better shape than ever, at least lets hope so. Running with the kids to the bus stop, laughing, holding their hands, and the beautiful Belizean sunshine and winds on our faces was definitely a moment I won't forget.
After it was time for the kids to go to school we went and helped out at the preschool. Today was different because I basically got to teach today. We did the daily routine with counting from 1-50, singing the ABCs, and calling out colors. I led all of this and not going to lie I felt pretty cool. Then I read them a bunch of stories. After being at the preschool for a few hours we helped out with the laundry. They do not have a drier, so all of the clothes are hung on clothes hangers. I helped the caregiver hang all of the clothes. Then we got lunch with one of the awesome security guards (the very athletic one who teaches aerobics every morning). After that we went back to the preschool and taught the kids. Then the kids came home from school and we played with them for hours. They do not have school tomorrow so the energy was much more laid back because they weren't frantically trying to do their homework. One little boy told me he loved me and it was the cutest thing ever. He said "Miss Devyn, I really love you." They have to call us "Miss" as a sign of respect. That statement that he told me validated why I am here and why I am doing this. I really am starting to form bonds with these kids that will probably cause me to be hysterical when I leave. But, in the meantime it will all be worth it. Overall, today was a very good day. I have been drinking a lot of water to avoid another health mishap and have been loving every minute spent with these children. I can not wait to spend all day with them tomorrow when we don't have school.
After it was time for the kids to go to school we went and helped out at the preschool. Today was different because I basically got to teach today. We did the daily routine with counting from 1-50, singing the ABCs, and calling out colors. I led all of this and not going to lie I felt pretty cool. Then I read them a bunch of stories. After being at the preschool for a few hours we helped out with the laundry. They do not have a drier, so all of the clothes are hung on clothes hangers. I helped the caregiver hang all of the clothes. Then we got lunch with one of the awesome security guards (the very athletic one who teaches aerobics every morning). After that we went back to the preschool and taught the kids. Then the kids came home from school and we played with them for hours. They do not have school tomorrow so the energy was much more laid back because they weren't frantically trying to do their homework. One little boy told me he loved me and it was the cutest thing ever. He said "Miss Devyn, I really love you." They have to call us "Miss" as a sign of respect. That statement that he told me validated why I am here and why I am doing this. I really am starting to form bonds with these kids that will probably cause me to be hysterical when I leave. But, in the meantime it will all be worth it. Overall, today was a very good day. I have been drinking a lot of water to avoid another health mishap and have been loving every minute spent with these children. I can not wait to spend all day with them tomorrow when we don't have school.
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