Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The Little Bug (Chelsea)
Monday, July 20, 2009
Quick Internship at Aldea (Joanna)
and also taught Physics to the older students twice a week. The best
way we could help with English was in pronunciation. We played lots of
games with the kids to get them excited and more involved in the
lessons, which covered everything from family relationships to colors
and numbers. In the physics classes, we covered basic laws and did lots
of practice with vectors. It was a very rewarding experience.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The Children at The Little Bug (Laura)
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Mother of 67 (Carrie at Aldea)
First off, I’m convinced that the tias are angels. They work 5 days on (working, sleeping, eating, living in the Aldea) and then 2 days off so they literally spend more time with the Aldea children than with their own. What’s amazing is they don’t do it with resentment; instead they take these children in as if they were their own. How noble to be a mother to 67 children! Angels, exactly.
Mami Olga in casa 10 (girls ranging from 8-16) is one of those busy,angelic tias. The only time tias get to rest (even a little) is after dinner while children are cleaning up and getting ready for bed, but even then Mami Olga is spending time with the children, helping with homework, or teaching trades. This week while eating in her house I got to see her teach Peruvian traditional dances to the girls, one from the jungle and one from the plains, to perform at a birthday party. Even in her possible downtime she is working to help these children to grow to well-rounded adults.
I have learned a lot from my friendships here—British words, more Spanish words, and how to bake a Peruvian cake—but some of the greatest lessons haven’t been formally taught. Mami Olga teaches by example and I hope one day to be like her. A cook, a teacher, a seamstress, and a mother (maybe not to 67 but hopefully at least one). Until then I will be the pupil watching the angels at work.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Princess Antonina (Carrie at Aldea)
Antonina is also incredibly fortunate because she is sponsored by the vice president of the state of La Libertad. He brings her goodies, hugs, and new clothes whenever he can. She’s always very excited to see him. With him being such an important man, maybe this makes her even more of a princess.
Now here is my shameless plug for child sponsorships. Unfortunately, not all of the children are as lucky as Antonina. They do not have padrinos (godparents) to bring them sweets, little toys, or no clothes. They don’t have someone to visit them on their birthday or send them a card. You certainly don’t have to be an important person like vice president Napoleon to sponsor a child. Anyone can and the kids would be more than happy to have even just someone. As volunteers in the Aldea, we do our best to be their somebodies but sometimes it’s just not enough. If you read this and want to be somebody’s someone, then consider sponsoring a child like Antonina. Nothing would make me happier than to see the other little ones in the Aldea that I consider little royalty to have padrinos and madrinas so they, too, can feel like a prince or a princess.
Friday, July 3, 2009
notice anything different? (natalie)
Also, you might notice the Sunflower postings are missing. While Southern Cross still has interns down at the Sunflower who are taking care of the children, the child sponsorships are now going through another organization called Genhu. It seems there has been some confusion during this transition so Leo, the director of The Sunflower, asked us to remove the Sunflower postings.
I love the Sunflower and the children there. I know Leo, the staff and the interns are caring for the children. Hopefully there will be a new Sunflower blog soon, but for now, enjoy the stories from Aldea Infantil and The Little Bug.
My grandpa used to tell me that a child's cry is the same in any language. How true that is. We're just getting to know these children at Aldea and The Little Bug. How adorable they are, how resiliant they are and how deserving of help they are. Stay tuned as we share their stories...
Thursday, July 2, 2009
The fun stuff on an Expedition (Laura)
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Visit from the Humphries (Jason at Aldea Infantile)
They didn't care so much to see the cows they donated as to see and spend time with the children and to take their pictures to cherish those memories for years. But, the most touching was when Mr. Humphries was asked to give some words at a meeting with the children and some of the tias that work their. He cried as he said that as he looked into the eyes of the children he could see the goodness and light in them.
I am sure that some of these children feel a loss, not having the traditional nuclear family, but they do still have that light in them. I hope that after this internship I will see them again, just as Mr. Humphries wished.