Less my title be quickly misinterpreted, this was not about MY leaving, but rather, the young men I used to work with. As you can read below in the graduation blog, once graduated the older students go into the city for practicums or internships. These were many of the boys I used to work with. The few that remained moved consolidated with another hogar (home) meaning that for the latter part of November through January I would need a new place to concentrate my energy. Rest assured, one was found.
When the older boys left, I was moved down to work with the youngest age-group, in Casa Suyapa with boys from about 4 - 9 years old. Casa Suyapa is the only hogar where the boys and girls are mixed, on one side of the house are the 7 toddlers and all the girls, on the other side, all of the boys (who are not toddlers). The boy side is the side I work on, although there is plenty of time to interact with the girls as well.
As you can imagine working with the smaller children is quite a change from working with the older ones. However, I must say I feel quite blessed and in my element working with the younger age group. Though they tax my energy in MANY ways, they also give me a large amount of energy.
I can hardly look at the photos of them without smiling or laughing or both. We were able to spend Christmas together (more on that later) and have had some incredible fun already.
Overall Casa Suyapa is one of the strictest places on the Ranch, however, with about 50 kids under 10 living there, sometimes you have to be strict. Though I love the children dearly, they do press my buttons and require disciplining (hmm, real parenting anybody?)
When the older boys left, I was moved down to work with the youngest age-group, in Casa Suyapa with boys from about 4 - 9 years old. Casa Suyapa is the only hogar where the boys and girls are mixed, on one side of the house are the 7 toddlers and all the girls, on the other side, all of the boys (who are not toddlers). The boy side is the side I work on, although there is plenty of time to interact with the girls as well.
As you can imagine working with the smaller children is quite a change from working with the older ones. However, I must say I feel quite blessed and in my element working with the younger age group. Though they tax my energy in MANY ways, they also give me a large amount of energy.
I can hardly look at the photos of them without smiling or laughing or both. We were able to spend Christmas together (more on that later) and have had some incredible fun already.
Overall Casa Suyapa is one of the strictest places on the Ranch, however, with about 50 kids under 10 living there, sometimes you have to be strict. Though I love the children dearly, they do press my buttons and require disciplining (hmm, real parenting anybody?)
Short Stories:
On any given day during my hours with the children I can be found chasing them around, picking them up, playing cars, marbles, or soccer, pretending that I am going to cook them in the kitchen, or dancing with them. Here are a list of their favorite phrases/games we play:
Douglas......
Chineame - pick me up
Comame- eat me, aka, the game where I chase the around and pretend to eat them
Atrapame- chase me and trap me
Bailemos- lets dance
Duermame- put me to sleep
Canta- sing
Da me vuelta - spin me around
Llevame a tutu - give me a piggy back ride (or ride on my shoulders)
At night I get to rock the kids to bed and sing them songs. It is a great reminder to me that no matter how crazy all these kids get during the day that when push comes to shove they all just want a little love and someone to hold them as the fall asleep... even the 9 year olds.
Here are a few more pictures of my little darlings!
