Ah, I´ve left the orphanage and my ´family´, finished volunteering and am now into my little travelling adventure!! We did the salt flats here in Bolivia this week which were absolutely amazing... or ´wicked´which ahs become my new word obsession! Time is a bit short and the internet pretty scarce so the blog has taken a little bit of a backseat lately, sorry :S but a couple of weeks ago I had to write an article for the volunteering organisations newsletter so I thought I´d put it on here... until I have more tme to write something proper, sorry if its a bit pretentious, I get carried away sometimes! I hope everyone is well xx
Cuidadella...
With no real grasp of the Spanish language, or lengthly experience of working with children, its true to say I was a little apprehensive before arriving in Bolivia. I had no idea what to imagine really but Cuidadella has more than surpassed my expectations. Working there is so rewarding, just so much fun really, and this is all down to the children.
Being with children is the best possible way to pick up Spanish fast... well the important words anyway like ´tareas´ = homework! Although the language barrier can be difficult at times, its also an ice breaker; as long as you don´t mind being made fun of, or laughed at a little, your confused attempts to make conversation actually help the children to like you!
For my first few weeks I did find it quite hard to settle into my work there. When I began to learn of the childrens' difficult backgrounds, and other details of their lives now, it was hard for me to imagine what difference I could actually make. But quickly I realised that just by being there, by giving them some quality one-on-one attention, organising a game, or simply giving huge hugs and hi-fives when you arrive, does help. And even if you can´t make any big long term changes, just being there is helping their lives now.
One of the best pieces of advice I could give to anyone thinking of working with children, or about to arrive, is just to get stuck in! At first I was a little shy with the children but as soon as I started acting a bit crazy, or letting them make a fool of me, we were on track! So many of the girls love Korean pop music so I asked them to teach me some dances, or just danced on my own, this they found even more funny! Last week I spent the night in one casita with 15 children and once they realised I knew the words in English to the Grease megamix I was made to sing along to the DVD, pretty loudly, and dance with them all so they could learn it too! Normally singing in front of anyone like this is my worst nightmare, honestly, but here it was just so funny. The way the children manage to stay happy almost all of the time, helps you to feel the same way too, its inspiring.
With the arrival of a new director at Cuidadella the last few weeks have become more organised which is really nice to see. My mornings have become a little more structured and I often find myself in the Guarderia helping those who have school in the afternoons with their homework. Mathematics was a good one to start with as, when I didn´t know many Spanish words, I did know the numbers and how to say add, minus, multiply and divide! Other moments are filled with painting nails, making bracelets and dancing... nail varnish has definitely been my best purchase here. I paint at least 5 girls' nails a day, literally, and sometimes the boys too!
I have also started to help out with the younger ones in the kindergarden sometimes and last week another volunteer and I organised a lesson to help them learn letters. It was a little chaotic but really great fun. The more initiative you have to try new ideas the better for the staff and children and also for you to enjoy the experience. It is really rewarding when your idea works out, but can also be funny when it doesn´t so thats okay too!
Often the children do not leave the orphanage much other than to go to school so I have organised to take two groups of children to the cinema on weekends here too. Although a little stressful, they clearly appreciated it. Especially when one child told me she had never been to the cinema before it sll seemed well worth while. I also feel much more like a local in Cochabamba now and was very proud when my new grasp of Spanish allowed me to ask for, and receive, a discount buying the many tickets!
With no real grasp of the Spanish language, or lengthly experience of working with children, its true to say I was a little apprehensive before arriving in Bolivia. I had no idea what to imagine really but Cuidadella has more than surpassed my expectations. Working there is so rewarding, just so much fun really, and this is all down to the children.
Being with children is the best possible way to pick up Spanish fast... well the important words anyway like ´tareas´ = homework! Although the language barrier can be difficult at times, its also an ice breaker; as long as you don´t mind being made fun of, or laughed at a little, your confused attempts to make conversation actually help the children to like you!
For my first few weeks I did find it quite hard to settle into my work there. When I began to learn of the childrens' difficult backgrounds, and other details of their lives now, it was hard for me to imagine what difference I could actually make. But quickly I realised that just by being there, by giving them some quality one-on-one attention, organising a game, or simply giving huge hugs and hi-fives when you arrive, does help. And even if you can´t make any big long term changes, just being there is helping their lives now.
One of the best pieces of advice I could give to anyone thinking of working with children, or about to arrive, is just to get stuck in! At first I was a little shy with the children but as soon as I started acting a bit crazy, or letting them make a fool of me, we were on track! So many of the girls love Korean pop music so I asked them to teach me some dances, or just danced on my own, this they found even more funny! Last week I spent the night in one casita with 15 children and once they realised I knew the words in English to the Grease megamix I was made to sing along to the DVD, pretty loudly, and dance with them all so they could learn it too! Normally singing in front of anyone like this is my worst nightmare, honestly, but here it was just so funny. The way the children manage to stay happy almost all of the time, helps you to feel the same way too, its inspiring.
With the arrival of a new director at Cuidadella the last few weeks have become more organised which is really nice to see. My mornings have become a little more structured and I often find myself in the Guarderia helping those who have school in the afternoons with their homework. Mathematics was a good one to start with as, when I didn´t know many Spanish words, I did know the numbers and how to say add, minus, multiply and divide! Other moments are filled with painting nails, making bracelets and dancing... nail varnish has definitely been my best purchase here. I paint at least 5 girls' nails a day, literally, and sometimes the boys too!
I have also started to help out with the younger ones in the kindergarden sometimes and last week another volunteer and I organised a lesson to help them learn letters. It was a little chaotic but really great fun. The more initiative you have to try new ideas the better for the staff and children and also for you to enjoy the experience. It is really rewarding when your idea works out, but can also be funny when it doesn´t so thats okay too!
Often the children do not leave the orphanage much other than to go to school so I have organised to take two groups of children to the cinema on weekends here too. Although a little stressful, they clearly appreciated it. Especially when one child told me she had never been to the cinema before it sll seemed well worth while. I also feel much more like a local in Cochabamba now and was very proud when my new grasp of Spanish allowed me to ask for, and receive, a discount buying the many tickets!
I can't believe time has flown by so quickly and that I've already spent 2 brilliant months with the children. With only two weeks left I hope to continue bringing smiles to their faces if I can and will be sure to let them know how special they all are and how much they have taught and helped me too. Cuidadella is a special place and I hope to keep in touch with life there if possible in the future. The experience for me has been truely unforgettable but it is what you make of it. You and the children will benefit most when you really get 'involved'. If you have already done, or hope to do something similar in the future, I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have.
