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Thursday, April 10, 2008
Volunteering - Saciar #1
This morning, after a ferocious cab ride and a couple of stops on the (very clean and modern!) metro, we arrived at Fundacion Saciar, where we met up with Beatriz Vega. She works there as a psychologist. Every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday morning from 8:15 to about 13:00 we will be joining Beatriz on her rounds to the various templo comunal (communal space).
We went to visit an area called Maruchenga in the northern part of Medellin, a hilly area with quite steep and narrow streets. So much so that I was surprised when the little Mazda 626 we were traveling in, managed to negotiate all of the near-vertical climbs and sharp corners.
In Maruchenga Saciar helps 90 children aged 4 to 14, by providing them with food and educational activities. Also joining us was Marcela, a university student who helps the kids with basic math and writing skills once a week.
Upon arrival at the communal space, a group of children came running to the car to greet us. We were promptly introduced to the sisters (nuns) running this place as the ‘newlyweds from Tokyo who are here on their honeymoon to help out”. It seems that because of this we have acquired some sort of “celebrity status” not only among the people of the foundation but with everyone at the communal space.
Most of the children warmed up to us from the start, especially to Brechtje for being one of the very few foreigners they have ever seen. We received many hugs and kisses right away.
Together with Marcela we guided a class of twelve 6 to 11 year-olds. The kids enthusiastically showed us around. Marcella introduced us and we showed them where Japan and Colombia are, by pointing out their locations on the map. Most of them never heard of a country called Japan before, and once they found out that Brechtje comes from Holland, and understands and speaks only a little Spanish, they thought it was hilarious and started asking lots of questions, like “how do you say this and that in English?”… “What is my name in English?”…!
In preparation of the volunteering activities we brought origami paper with us from Japan and practiced until we mastered a couple of figures. Today we make windmills with the kids and decided to combine the folding of the paper with a lesson in geometry by introducing shapes, line types, etc. After a slow start they got the hang of it and soon were asking for more origami sheets to make windmills for their little brothers and sisters back home. Origami is a big hit!
Time flew by and we were invited to join the children for a humble but nutritious and tasty lunch. Lots of fun again, lots of questions again. And we even learnt a little bit of sign language, as some of the kids are deaf.
Tomorrow Brechtje will start her Spanish course and I will join Beatriz to another area…
Categories: volunteering
Next entry: Volunteering - Saciar #2
Previous entry: Volunteering - Organisacion Saciar
Comments:
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I enjoy very much reading your report of dayly doings.!
Love,Ricy -
I’m so proud of both of you,it sounds so rewarding already!hey
B suerte con las lecciones de espanol.Nos estamos hablando....
Chiao Beariz -
Hello B & M!!!
I am happy to read your blog. What a cool honeymoon! I miss you lots already!!! Elvin & I just came back from visiting my grandmother. We tried out ocean fishing in the area where she lives. We caught about 24 fish with sea warms. One of the fish I caught was black porgy. I just learned that this particular fish naturally change its gender. What a strange fish. I tasted really good as sashimi and as cooked.
Much Love
Yoshiko