I feel like I spend 99% of my time doing 3 things (usually simultaneously): walking/wandering down crowded streets, sweating profusely, and killing time. I was supposed to begin teaching my class on the 17th -- but the organization I am working with is not ready for me to do that yet. I feel frustrated because I came here to WORK -- not wile away my time by loitering in various cafes across this city.
BUT I think I've learned that sometimes the moments of "doing nothing" can still be quite rewarding.
Wednesday: I visited 2 different facilities: the community center (CCF5) next to the trashdump, and CCF #6 - the organization's newest facility. CCF 5 currently hosts about 60 children in daycare during the day while their parents work as garbage pickers in the dump. CCF6 is a new co-ed residence and primary school located near the dump community. I spent the afternoon there and saw potential opportunity for me to help in the creation of their English and Social Studies curriculum! :)
Thursday: I was supposed to spend the day at the daycare. However, after MUCH waiting around in the city, FINALLY transportation was arranged for me to go to the center.... but when I arrived, the children were just beginning their daily 2 hour nap (along with their teachers!). So again, I had NOTHING to do.
I left my shoes outside and crept into one of the rooms - wall to wall babes. I slid down next to all the children asleep on woven mats. As soon as I crept in, 6 or 7 little ones peeked and saw me ---- and oh, the excitement! :) They were not allowed to come to me, so I waved excitedly and silently, then took out a book and pretended to read. I could not resist peeking and grinning at the munchkins still checking me out. (Who's the adult here??)
Sleeping children... the ones completely out and snuggling arms and legs intertwined... and the sneaky ones pinching their neighbors and playing with fuzz or candy wrappers or whatever they could find next to them.
The little guy next to me (who was the 1st child I bonded with the day before) kept playing with my toes. Aw... How cute is that??
bummer you haven't started working yet. at least you get to still be around some children. you are making a difference to all of the children you come in contact with. miss you.
ReplyDeletei kept reading expecting you to say, "and then I fell asleep." really? not even one z?
ReplyDeleteSurprisingly, I did NOT fall asleep! hahaha I wanted to.. it was hot,... all the other teachers were asleep... but honestly, I was too afraid to put my head on those mats. Which was a smart move as I discovered lice in a girl's hair that afternoon -- which the staff saw as no big deal. They picked a few bugs out and snapped them in half... but then carried on. Good times. :)
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