Friday, April 22nd

        Nothing new really happened today. We did the same morning routine, except most of the kids did not have school so we played with them a lot outside. One of the caregivers asked if we could give them math homework to do in the library, so they will stay busy while they do laundry and clean up. I wrote on the big chalk board in the front and wrote 20 problems for the younger kids (3+1, 4+0, etc.) and 20 problems for the older kids (in lower/middle school) to do. It is really sad to watch most of these kids struggle with adding their simple numbers together. After helping them and correcting their mistakes we played with them outside until lunch time. After lunch I helped Moses finish the bathroom plumbing in the transitional home (adding the shower) and then I played again with the kids until dinner time. Nothing new really happened today so there is not much to talk about. It is so sad to think that there are very few days left. In fact, there are only two full days and if we decide to go fishing on Sunday, then tomorrow is our last day! :( I already decided that I am going to go home with very little because I want to leave everything here for the kids. I already decided to give my speaker to Jaden, the 16 year old boy and my water bottle to Jaheem, a 12 year old boy. I wish I brought more to give away to the kids because I know a little goes a long way here.

Thursday, April 21st

       Sorry for the repetitiveness in my blogs so I'll keep it short and sweet today. Basically this morning went the same as always. After we got back from walking the kids to the bus, we went to the office and gave Ms. Gurla our paperwork and did our video interview for the A Broader View coordinator to put on the website for future volunteers to see. They asked us questions about the accommodation, tips about what other volunteers should bring, what our biggest challenge was, what was most surprising, etc. Just in case you were wondering... one of the challenges is getting used to everything like not having air conditioning with the 90 degree weather. The most surprising thing was how welcoming everyone is and how close I felt with the kids just after a short amount of time. However, the biggest challenge in general is going to be leaving the kids as you probably can figure out after my previous blog posts. I have had multiple nights where I cry myself to sleep thinking about leaving. In fact, I have already begged my parents to adopt one of the little girls here who doesn't have any siblings here. I am definitely going to bring my family back for Christmas and maybe they will fall in love with her too!
       After we did the video interviews, Moses was back from taking the three boys to school in Belize City so I helped him in the transitional home. In the same room that we painted, we started setting up the bathroom. First, we cut a hole into the wall for the pipe to go outside. Then once it was cut (from the inside and the outside), we got all the pieces for the toilet and started to put it all together. Then, we glued the piping to the end of the toilet and moved it into the bathroom. After we did this it was time to head to get the kids for lunch. On the way, we stopped at one of the middle schools and the high school to drop off lunch for the kids. Once we returned we ate lunch and I went back to help Moses finish installing the toilet with all of the piping. Before everyone else got home from school, Delroy (the 17 year old boy) and played "PIGS"on the basketball court. When the younger kids arrived, I helped them with their homework. As always I help Kyron and Asher with theirs first. Since they do not have school tomorrow, I helped them with their 25 weekly spelling words. This is very difficult because they are very behind in school; however, since yesterday they have improved a lot. After homework we listened to music, played basketball, played soccer, and talked until dinner time. After dinner I met Wafi at the local park to do his aerobics class. After aerobics, a girl offered to drive me back to the street that Liberty is on because it was dark outside and dangerous to walk alone. She was super nice and she even technically works in the US but lives in Belize so she does everything online from her house. Once she dropped me off I showered, ate dinner, logged, and blogged. I am so sad to think that tomorrow is one of our last full days with the kids. I am going to miss the people so much, but I know I am going to come back to visit.

Wednesday, April 20th

      Having a little brother (not legally) adopted from Cambodia, I can only imagine the life he would be living right now. Being here at Liberty makes me want to adopt all of these kids!! Honestly, I can see myself as that crazy person after college that moves and opens an orphanage or pursues their profession in another country. Although I do miss some of the things in America, I would be fine living here forever. The biggest difficulty here is definitely sticking out like a sore thumb, since we are living in a small village and not in a touristy area. The locals always give us a lot of stares and a lot of men try to talk to us, so we have to ignore them a lot and just say "hello". However, by all means I would not say it is dangerous unless we are out at night after 7 o'clock, which we obviously don't do (except for aerobics but Wafi walks me there and back).
      Today went pretty much the same as always except for a couple of things. We woke up, helped set up for breakfast, ate with the kids, walked the kids to the bus stop, and came back to paint. Today we painted the ground outside of the dining hall and in the middle of the bridge. As a volunteer, Ms. Agatha gives you the freedom to do whatever you want and with the paint we are allowed to do whatever we want. We repainted and painted just about everything outside to make everything look a lot brighter and prettier. I was very happy today when Ms. Agatha was taking pictures of it and said it looked amazing! After lunch we helped teach the kids in the preschool (Devyn and I each have a different class of about 14 we go to). Today I helped the kids color in squares with vowels on a worksheet that Mrs. Yolanda made. As always we divide up the class and I take half and she takes the other. I always have to teach the kids what they are doing because they have no idea what is going on. It is really sad that these 4 and 5 year olds don't know their letters, numbers, how to write their names, etc. I keep relating this back to Sheltering Arms and how the one and two year olds I was with there in Atlanta are pretty much at the same spot as these four and five year old kids. In addition to the pre schoolers being behind in school, the older kids are behind as well. After they arrive from school I always help them with their homework and it is sad that I have to teach them what they are doing. Today I helped Asher and Kyron with their homework (which I do everyday) and they had to study their spelling words. Unfortunately, the kids are not taught basic skills like what letters make what sounds and so it is hard for them to spell. Out of their 25 words they pretty much got all of them wrong except for "love," so I had to teach them tricks to spell some of the words.
       Around 3:30 a couple arrived from Miami and helped the kids with their homework. Then, the husband, Devyn, and I all played basketball with the older boys. After we played two games of basketball, I brought out my speaker and we listened to music before dinner. When it came time for dinner, Devyn and I helped Ms. Mary with the food and set up everything. Even though I did not eat dinner because I was going to aerobics, I always enjoy sitting with them and talking. I am going to miss everyone so much, so I love to spend any moments I can with them. The funniest is around 2:30 when they are about to come home from school, I feel like I am a little puppy dog waiting for the kids to come home. I can't wait to enjoy my last days with these kids and I hope I get to see them again soon when I come back to visit!!

Tuesday, April 19th

      This morning went the same as always: I woke up, helped with breakfast, walked the kids to school, and helped with laundry. Like yesterday, we painted all day and ended the day covered head to toe in paint and sweat; except today was much worse! I really do enjoy painting because we bring our speaker outside and play music loud and sing with Wafi and Moses. Today, Wafi painted the roof outside of the dorms, Devyn painted the benches and stones, I painted the bridge, and Moses made the wooden bench by the basketball court into concrete (so it lasts longer). Since I painted the bridge, after we helped Moses last week make it concrete instead of wood, bits of concrete (toward the ground) would get on the end of the brush so I would wipe it on my leg. By the end of the day, I had multiple blobs on my arms and legs, some intentional and some not intentional. Unfortunately, today I got FRIED. I look like a tomato with a tanktop, shorts, and paint tan. I am not kidding about the paint tan... wherever I had blobs of paint are now white and surrounding it is bright red sunburn. I was so determined to finish the bridge I worked through lunch and even 30 minutes into when the kids arrived from school. Cavelli, an adorable 6 year old who hung out with me everyday because she didn't go to school, painted the benches with us. Devyn and I put her hands into the paint and she put her hand prints on little benches.

      After I was finished, I put up all of the tools and helped Shanelle with her homework, which was to make a clock. We cut out a circle and arrows out of cardboard and then covered them with construction paper. Moses then cut off a nail for us to put through the arrows and the circle to allow the big and the short hand to rotate around. After we finished her homework, I played with the kids until it was time for dinner. While I was playing PIGS with Delroy (the 17 year old boy), Cavelli and Kavan, twins that I always play with, were adopted by a family that lives in Seattle. Although it was so cute for them to meet their new parents, it was so sad to see them leave because it felt like one of my children leaving me (even though I have only known her for 9 days). I cannot imagine what the caretakers and the other kids feel like after someone gets adopted because they are with them for so long. When she left, I teared up and tried not to cry because I knew I would not be able to stop (like last night). Everyday is such a different adventure and I am going to miss everyone here so much. 

    

Monday, April 18th

      After an amazing vacation to San Pedro, it was time to return back to our normal schedule. However, today was a little bit different. This morning was the same we woke up helped with breakfast and walked the kids to school. Except for the fact that I gave up on my 4:25 alarm to go to aerobics and decided not to set the alarm anymore, so instead I just workout by myself outside when the sun goes down and it is a bit cooler. 

     After walking the kids to school, we did the normal and went and played with the kids in the daycare until Wafi (the everything around Liberty) asked us to paint a room. Devyn and I headed over to this place they call the "transitional home," which will be fully finished by September, is a little house that 5 or 6 people will live in once they are old enough. Once the kids turn 18, they declare emancipation from the government/social services and leave the orphanage. This home is still on the compound but gives them a little bit more freedom and responsibility, while still at Liberty, before they go out into the real world. After we painted the bedroom yellow, Devyn and I were covered head to toe in paint and sweat. I am not kidding it looked like I just jumped in a pool and then blew paint all over my body. In fact, I have taken two showers since then and still have paint all over my arms, my legs, and even in my hair. 

     Once the kids returned from school and we finished painting, I helped a couple of boys with their homework. First I helped Kyron and Asher with their multiplication homework. It was sad because I basically had to teach them how to do it because their teacher clearly did not. After teaching them all sorts of tricks, they understood basically everything and this makes me think that I might want to be a teacher if nursing does not work out. When everyones homework was done, we played for hours outside. We played basketball, tag, ran races, played soccer, did cartwheels, slid down the slide, went on the monkey bars, listened to music, etc. This is my favorite time of the day because we get to play with the kids and see them laugh and have fun. Tonight was tough for me because I am really attached to the kids. This was my second time crying thinking about leaving and this time it did not stop and it only got worse. I can't even imagine what I am going to be like in a week. I know that I am going to have to come back and visit because these kids have made such an impact in my life and I hope I have done the same for theirs. Although I miss my bed, american food, a normal shower, and laundry machines, I am really going to miss it here. Hope this next week is even better than the last!!!

Sunday, April 17th

I did no work for my senior project.

Saturday, April 16th

I did no work for my senior project.

Friday, April 15th

     Well today and everyday so far has started out the same...we snooze our alarm for aerobics at 4:25, 4:40, and 4:45 and wake up at 6 AM to get ready for breakfast. The rest of the day was quite different because the kids did not have school today. After breakfast we helped Mrs. Mary mop the kitchen. Then we went outside and raked the leaves and put it in the wheelbarrow. After we raked we helped the kids with their laundry by hanging it up on the clotheslines. Once their chores were done we played with the kids outside for a long time. We played lots of basketball, soccer, did the monkey bars, played tag, etc. Throughout the day we helped Moses, one of the handymen, rebuild the bridge that leads to the kitchen. The bridge rails were made out of wood and instead we created a cement rail that we are going to paint next week. We made cement by gathering a bunch of rocks and sand putting them in a pile and then added water and it made concrete. Honestly, I was amazed. Once the wood was nailed to the posts we poured the cement into it to insure that it would create a perfect rectangle railing. We then used a triangular tool to put more cement into it with water and smoothed it all out. On Monday when it dries, we will take off the wood and the cement will be dried. I can't wait to see how the bridge turns out once we finish it!
       After we did a good bit of work we went with one of the 16 year old boys to the store close by and bought a couple of snacks with him. While Devyn was buying this gross rice juice she likes at the deli, Jaden and I were talking about life. He said he wants to be an Engineer and said he doesn't want to live here when he gets older. He also said that his cousins live in the city and are involved in gangs, but he promised himself he would never be in one. Once we arrived back at Liberty, we sat by the basketball court and talked to CJ who is another handyman and Mrs. Gurla's son, the lady who works in the office. Until dinner we talked to them, played basketball, and smoothed the bridge railings. When dinner time came we helped set up for dinner, ate with the kids, and then played with them after dinner. Again I played basketball and talked to the kids. When it was time for them to go to bed, I read to the little girls and the ones a little bit older read to me. I said goodnight and headed back to my room knowing I now have 10000 new bug bites even with layers of bug spray on. I am really starting to get attached to the kids and everyday I get closer and closer with each of them. I am really excited for tomorrow because we are traveling with Wafi and his wife to a beautiful island called San Pedro. I am also excited to take pictures because we have not been able to take many while we have been here since we are not allowed to take any of the kids. I am not going to take my computer because we take a water taxi, but I will be back to blog on Monday!

Thursday, April 14th

        Well currently very angry because I just wrote my entire blog which took me an hour and it all deleted, so I am sorry if this one is short and not very detailed. Basically, this morning went the same as always... snoozed my 4:25 AM, 4:40 AM, and 4:45 AM aerobics alarms and woke up at 6 AM. I got ready headed to breakfast and helped set up. I sat with the same little boy who is 5 years old and is the cutest little thing. His name is Simian, but we refer to him as "the little jumping bean" because when we jump rope he just constantly jumps and somehow always makes it over the rope. When I sit with him he always scarfs down his meal, so I always end up giving him all of mine. After breakfast, we quickly cleaned up and then headed to the bus stop with the kids. Before they can leave to catch the bus they have a backpack check, so they don't take any toys or anything they're not supposed to take to school. After we walked them to the bus we headed to the daycare to play with the kids. This usually consists of me passing a toy car 4 feet away from a little boy for a couple minutes until 5 other boys want to pass one too and then the circle expands. I am then stuck with 6 toy cars in my hands trying to figure out which boy goes with what car to avoid any sort of fighting or crying. Then after a couple minutes of that Gloria sneaks behind me and pulls my pony tail and then runs over to the book case and starts tearing all of the pages out of the books. "NO GLORIA" has now become a familiar and frequent saying at the daycare. When it is time to walk the kids to preschool (across the room), I then left and went to go help the caretakers with all of the children's laundry. We spent about two hours cleaning the clothes and then hanging them on the clotheslines. When the laundry was done, Devyn and I left for lunch.
          Devyn and I decided to treat ourselves to a nice lunch considering we had not eaten a full meal in a couple of days. We went to the local Chinese restaurant with the Wafi who is the security guard/cook/handyman/aerobics instructor/body builder/the everything/the party (which he calls himself). After lunch we went to the supermarket and bought a few things and returned back home in time to go to the next shift of kids at the preschool. When I first arrived at the preschool I taught the kids the ABC's. I was handed a stack worksheets that the teacher had to hand write for the kids and helped them one by one fill it out. They each had to match certain capital letters with their corresponding lowercase letters on the right. What I learned is that a lot of them get their "b's" and "d's" mixed up. Even the teacher had Db and Bb on the worksheet. After we finished the worksheets I read to the kids and then their parents came and got them. This was around 3 and this was also when the kids arrived form school. I played PIG with the 16 and 17 year old boys until we go too hot and sat down. When the other kids arrived, I helped the same two boys with their homework. Kyron and Asher are in the same class and they are learning about commas. We went into the library and I had to come up with 20 sentences with them with commas for their homework. It was actually very difficult. After this we sat and talked to the kids for a while until dinner time. We helped set up for dinner and talked to them while they ate. At dinner a very interesting and unexpected thing happened. One of the caretakers came into the dining room/kitchen and said the big girls and little girls are on lockdown. At this moment, all of the girls started screaming in Creole and I had no idea what they were saying. I was sitting next to Delroy and he was explaining it to me as everything was going on. I really don't understand why I do not understand Creole because it is basically English except they use their accent and some of the words are different. Anyway, the girls being on lockdown is a punishment because two of the caregivers were missing money and they were in the girls rooms. Therefore, they know one of the girls stole their money and they would be locked in their little hut except for meals all of tomorrow. Immediately two girls ran out and searched their room to try to figure out who did it. Since they had suspicion because a girl was known for stealing, they checked her bag first. They opened a book and immediately money fell out of it. They ran into the kitchen screaming of joy and told their caretaker. All of the girls were screaming in joy because they were no longer on lockdown; however, the girl who was caught stealing is in a lot of trouble. After being in the middle of all the fighting I quickly left and found Devyn to head back in. We said goodnight to everyone outside and went in to eat our dinner (leftover lunch) and talked to our family/friends. I know that I am really going to miss these kids because I have already gotten so close to most of them. It is sad to think about their situations, especially when they start to say things about their lives. They are all so friendly and love to have us around to talk. I am so happy I am here and I really do not want to leave.

Wednesday, April 13th

       Wow day 3 and it feels like I've been here for months! We are now pretty close with the kids getting to know most of their names (about 25/45). The mornings are kind of boring and there is a lot of manual labor, but the afternoons are so much fun playing and talking to the kids! The routine I can tell is probably going to be the same for the next few weeks and as the other volunteers said, you just have to find what you want to do and you'll figure it out. So today we got up, helped Ms. Mary set up for breakfast and we ate with the kids. Then we walked the kids to the bus stop. As normal, we went to the daycare and when it was time to walk the kids to the preschool I stayed and helped. We sang songs, learned our ABC's, played bingo, etc. We did this for a while until it was time for lunch when Devyn and I came back and ate our leftovers from yesterdays lunch at the Chinese restaurant. During this time, we researched more about Belize to find a beautiful safe place to travel. After lunch, I went to the daycare and cleaned all of their dishes in the sink that is the size of a bowl. This was very difficult and when I was done I was dripping sweat and covered in food/water. I know this really helped the ladies because there are 17 children under the age of 5 and they all have to be bathed and changed after lunch. So while I was cleaning the dishes Ms. Yolanda was showering the kids and Ms. Michelle was changing their diapers and clothes before they went down for their nap. After finishing the dishes I decided to go help with the laundry. We pinned up all of their clothes on the clothes lines and then my work there was done.
       This little girl Cherelli has chicken pox so she does not go to school right now so we played basketball with her and did the monkey bars. When the other kids arrived after school (around 3) I helped a few of them with their homework. After their homework was done we played an intense game of 4 V 4 basketball. We were all dripping sweat by the end! After we finished we talked to the girls for a long time and really bonded with them. They are all very mature for their age. I learned today that most of them have phones and social media which I was very surprised about. Before we knew it, it was dinner time. We went in early to help set up the plates and drinks. They all drank hot chocolate and for dinner was a burrito with refried beans and ketchup in the middle. Rehanna talked me into putting hot sauce on it and my mouth was on fire the entire time!! I lost all the taste in my mouth. After dinner, I went outside and talked to Rehanna before she had to go in for bedtime at 7. Then I came inside called my parents, took a shower, and logged and blogged. Overall, it was a great day and I am really starting to bond with the kids.

Tuesday, April 12th

       Last night I could not sleep so this morning I snoozed my alarm for 4:40 to go to the aerobics class :o! However, tomorrow I plan on going at 5 AM to meet Wafi who is the instructor and he security guard/worker here at the orphanage. Today was so much fun. I woke up around 6:30 AM got dressed and went to breakfast with the kids. I helped Mary, the cook, set up by pouring milk into cups and putting them on the tables. Then, I walked with the kids to the bus stop for school, which is only a couple blocks at a local hardware store. After we walked the kids we went to the daycare (1-5 year olds) and played with the kids until it was time for the four and five year olds to go to preschool. I then walked them to the other side of the hut, which is blocked off inside for the little kids so you have to walk outside and around through the other door. I played with the pre schoolers and taught them numbers, shapes, ABC's, etc. This was a lot like sheltering arms except the kids are a little bit further behind. I found this very difficult because I can barely understand what they are saying because they speak Creole and their accent is strong. However, despite my misunderstandings at times we got through everything we needed to. When it was time for their snack time, I left to go to the bathroom and Devyn and the other volunteer (the Irish girl) were in the loft. We all decided to run to the little store close by and get paper towels, toilet paper, and water. Once we returned, Michelle who is the lady from the UK who moved here in July, took us to the supermarket and to lunch which is about three quarters of a mile walk from the orphanage.
       Sky is what the area is called which has a bakery, Chinese restaurant, bank, etc. We ate at the Chinese Restaurant which was super good. After we ate, we walked to the supermarket and bought a few snacks. After we arrived back at the orphanage we sat in the loft and waited a couple minutes for the kids to come home from school. Once they arrived we went outside and played basketball with them. I helped a little girl do her homework and then we jumped rope with her brother who is the cutest little boy that has down syndrome. After we had to go around looking for seeds for another part of her homework. Then, I played 3 v 3 basketball with the 6'6, 17 year old, CJ (one of the groundsmen workers), and a couple of the kids. After this I was dripping sweat because we played multiple games to 20 points. I went and put bug spray on and came back out and talked to a girl who is 14 and has one brother and one sister at the orphanage. Her brother, who I played basketball with the first day is deaf. She says they have been there for almost a year and they are leaving to go back home in June. We are not allowed to ask any questions so I do not know why they came in the first place. While I was talking to her it was time for them to line up for dinner.
        For dinner we ate tortillas and sausage/hot dog mixed in tomato sauce again. I ate two of my tortillas and gave the rest to the two boys that are 6 that I was sitting next to. They scarfed down their food which I was amazed at. After we ate, I left because the kids clean up at dinner and I went back to the room to check on Devyn since she wasn't feeling the greatest. This concludes my night and I plan on showering, talking to my parents, then going to sleep so I can wake up at 5 for aerobics!

Monday, April 11th

        Today started out very early. I woke up at 5:00 AM to finish last minute packing, shower, planning, etc. At 6:30 AM, we left for the airport, checked in, dropped off our bags, and went through security. We both brought so much stuff for the orphanage (toys, shampoo, cleaning supplies, etc.) that both of our bags exceeded the 50 pound bag limit. So, we had to take a bunch of stuff out and shove it in our backpacks...what a pain! After passing through security we headed to our concourse and immediately ate breakfast. We even saw Kit and Journey! At 9:00 AM we headed to our gate and waited to board the plane. Devyn and I sat next to each other and I slept pretty much the entire flight.
        Once we landed, we went through customs and baggage claim in no time. We almost went through it too quick! (Less than 7 minutes) We sat on a bench outside and waited for someone to pick us up. After 20 or so minutes we got kind of worried but then a lady came up to us and asked if we were with A Broader View. We then sat there and talked to her for a while about how she came from the UK as a volunteer and loved it so much she decided to move to Belize. After telling us everything about the orphanage we became super excited. A man came a picked us up in the orphanage bus and we drove to Ladyville. Once we arrived she gave us a quick tour of the orphanage and took us around the village to show us where to buy water. We then went and had lunch which the cook prepared for us. Honestly, the food was awful! It was pig tail mixed in rice and beans. After lunch we went back to our room, which is a little apartment above the office, and settled in. We also met our roommate who is from Ireland. She is 24 and has been traveling around the world since September. We quickly ran to the store to buy ice for our water bottles and found a cute little restaurant that sells milkshakes, burgers, fries, bottled drinks, fresh juice, etc.
        After lunch and settling in, we went straight to the daycare and helped mop, sweep, and make the beds for the children. Then we played with the children until their parents came. After the kids arrived from school, we played basketball and soccer with them until dinner time. For dinner we had tortillas (which were very good) and hot dogs sliced and tossed in tomato sauce. Immediately after dinner we went back outside because the boys wanted to play basketball again. However, we didn't get to play very long because they are required to go in their room and get in bed around 7:30. From this time on we had time to do whatever we want. After taking showers and blogging we decided it was time for bed. I told the security guy that I would go to his aerobics class at 5 AM tomorrow morning. Lets see if I can make it there!

Sunday, April 10th

I did no work for my senior project

Saturday, April 9th

I did no work for my senior project

Friday, April 8th

Today I researched about the orphanage we will be staying in for the next two weeks. In addition to the village itself, I researched about the culture of Belize and the location around where we will be staying. The most helpful thing I did was view about 50+ interviews about people's trips to the orphanage. This allowed me to get a better idea about what we will be doing when we are there and what I need to do to prepare. For example, multiple people said, "you get out of it what you put into it" meaning you need to offer your help because they will not tell you what to do. I also heard to bring lots of bug spray because the mosquitoes and sand flies are very bad. I am super excited to see how our journey to Belize goes and the different things we will learn. I am so fortunate to be able to see this part of the world and the people that live in it.

Thursday, April 7th

This morning was nice and calm because I got to sleep in a little bit later and actually eat breakfast. I left to head over to Scottish Rite, Children's Hospital around 11. I arrived very early and walked inside the lobby. As I sat at a table by myself, I found myself shaking and very nauseous. I was SO nervous. At first I was scared that I would either go to the wrong place and then I was scared because I had no idea what to expect. Would I have to see something intense? Would I have to see someone die? After psyching myself out, I decided that I needed some water and pretzels to calm myself down. When the time came I started to follow the signs to AFLAC where I was supposed to ask for the RN I was shadowing. I entered the huge double doors, still super nervous, and met the educator (who I gave all my paperwork to) and she introduced me to Caitlin, who I was shadowing. Caitlin is a registered nurse who graduated from TCU. She has been working at Scottish Rite for 7 months about 3 days a week doing 13 or so hour shifts. She was super nice, very informative, and knew what she was doing. She had 3 main patients today two 3 year old boys and one 9 year old girl. 

The first 3 year old boy has cancer and was staying there for 5 days receiving chemo. The nine year old girl has cancer in her femur causing her to be on crutches. In fact, today they had to tell her that her leg was not going to be able to make it. Shaylin and her family now have to decide whether to amputate the leg, take out the bone and replace it with a metal rod, or have a surgery called rotationplasty. This is where they cut off the cancerous part of your leg (above the knee) and replace the knee joint with your ankle joint. In order to do so, they place your foot and ankle backwards creating a smaller leg. This allows the child to still have full movement in their leg. Caitlin, the RN, has a family friend who decided to have this procedure when he was diagnosed in middle school and now he plays lacrosse in college. The next three year old boy has been there for 15 days straight receiving chemo, but today we gave him his last two treatments and I got to see him leave. One of the saddest parts was that his parents were somewhere around my age, not married, and they have two kids; Benjamin the three year old with leukemia and the other one only 10 months old. 

Overall today was super sad, but also an amazing experience. I learned that I think I have a huge interest in oncology and I definitely want to consider it as a future medical field to pursue. I also learned that I want to start out as an RN because they get to be more involved with their patients and get to know them a lot more. 

Wednesday, April 6th

Today was the best/worst day of the week. It was the best day because I got to spend ALL day with my favorite same group of one and two year olds. It was the worst day because I had to say goodbye to them knowing I might not ever see them again. I became super attached with the kids after three days and this makes me even more excited/nervous about Belize. In Belize we will be with the kids constantly for 15 days straight. If I was sad to say goodbye to these kids after 3 days I cant even imagine five times longer. At Sheltering Arms I bonded with Cynergy the most because she would not leave my side. 

We began the morning with diaper changes (which I personally did not have to do) and playing with the toys inside. Once everyones diaper was changed, we started their daily morning routine. We did the ABC's, numbers, danced, etc. When the assistant teacher arrived at 10:30, she brought a water bottle filled with dirt and worms for the kids to see. Of course they were super interested and watched the worms for a while. Once they got bored, we gave them more toys to play with until their lunch arrived at 11. After they finished eating it was time for them to take their nap. 

When we arrived after they woke up and we took our lunch break, it was time to go outside. We played with them outside for about an hour. Then we came inside and gave them hard boiled eggs to draw on with crayons. Unfortunately the only one who did not crack his egg was Ari. Instead, the rest were stuck with a circular piece of paper to draw on. After they did arts and crafts and drew on the table, we gave them toys again so they could play inside. We played inside until their parents came to pick them up from about 5-6PM. I learned today that if their parents do not pick them up by 6:30, then the cops are automatically called because it considered neglect. I also learned today that the teachers stay with their group of kids (from infants) until they are in pre school. I am truly going to miss these kids and I think I will definitely volunteer this summer whenever I can. 

Tuesday, April 5

Today was definitely a little calmer than yesterday. I woke up and went to sheltering arms around 8:30 AM. I was allowed to pick which room I wanted to be in so I walked around a few classrooms and asked if they needed help, but ended up in the same room (#4) with the one and two year olds that I was in yesterday morning. When I first walked in, it smelt like they all had dirty diapers... so I was not too thrilled. However, once they all saw me they ran up and hugged my legs. Cynergy, one of the two year olds, came around 9:15 and was crying because she had to leave her mom, but when she saw me she immediately hugged me and stopped crying. It is the moments like this throughout the day at Sheltering Arms that touch you the most. 

Before going through their morning learning session, we went outside for 10 minutes so they could play on the playground. They rode on the cars, slid down the slide, and ran around until it was time to go in. After going through their daily routine of the ABC's, numbers (in English, Spanish, and German), names, dances, etc., we got out the toys for them to play with. They ran around the room with those popping wheel things (almost like a lawn mower) and the big bouncy balls. They had so much fun! After we cleaned up, we started arts and crafts where they were given 6 popsicle sticks to make a little house with an orange rectangle as the door. This was very difficult because they all wanted to eat the glue. When the food arrived, we fed them their lunch and then put them down on the cots for nap time. I was pretty relieved it was time to go because after the constant playing it gets pretty tiring. 

We went upstairs with Beth, the head of volunteers and communications, and helped her with an event they have tomorrow. We helped roll silverware and tie it with a bow, as well as putting a bow on mason jars for glasses. Once our time was up, we said goodbye and left to go home. I went to Lovett for a vestry meeting and then came home and did my blog.

Monday, April 4th, 2016

           Today was very busy. I woke up at 7:30 AM and arrived at Sheltering Arms around 8:30 AM. We met with the director of volunteers and she told us the rules, some background information, and assigned us to a room. I was assigned to the one and two year olds, which I was very excited about! However, once I was in the room, I felt super uncomfortable because I had no idea how to interact with these children... can they speak? Will they understand me? I introduced myself to the teacher and asked if I could take pictures for my project, but she quickly shut that down. She then asked me to help feed Logan breakfast and this is when I started to figure out what they could understand. He first pointed to his glass of milk and said "milk!"He then proceeded to turn towards me in excitement and spill his milk all over the table. Before I could even react, all nine kids in the room ran over to the table and started putting their hands in the milk splattering it everywhere. I then thought to myself, "this is going to be a long day." Once everyone was cleaned up, I helped the teachers with their daily morning routine. We sat on the carpet reviewing their ABC's, colors, names, animals, etc. We played music and simon says so they could dance and learn to follow instructions. As Devyn walked by my room to go to the bathroom, she saw me hopping around the room with a bunch of kids and began to laugh. At this point, I knew her morning experience was not quite like mine.

           After lunch, we returned to Sheltering Arms and switched classrooms. I met Mrs. Rawls, the new teacher I was helping, and the Pre-K kids, who had just woken up from their naps. This time I was allowed to take pictures. We put away their cots and headed outside for snack time. I was handed a bowl of fruit, cups, spoons, gloves, and a basket of cornbread (I think). I then found myself outside, alone with 13 starving 4 year olds asking me for food. I handed them napkins, divided the food, and sat with them until they finished eating. Once they finished eating, I played with them on the playground until it was time for me to leave. We played basketball, soccer, tag, hide and go seek, did gymnastics, ran races, I pushed them on the swing, etc. One boy was holding a soccer ball that all the boys wanted to play with, but he would not let them. Every time I asked him to share he would run away and pout. Once the teacher took the ball he then began to act out. He started to hit me and scratch me. I honestly didn't know what to do because we were not supposed to discipline, but it hurt and he wasn't stopping. The teacher started to video him to show his mom and he stopped immediately. By the end of the day, he was all over me being one of the sweetest boys and wanting me to push him on the swing. When it was time for me to leave, I was exhausted from running around and was profusely sweating. I said my goodbyes and got hugs from everyone. One boy came up to me and made me promise that I would be there tomorrow. This really touched me because it actually made me feel like I made a difference. I can't wait for tomorrow to hopefully get a different age group so I can continue to see what they act like and in general get to know more of the kids at Sheltering Arms.