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!