Week 2 at the House

8 February 2010

            I was so happy to be back at the House today!  I was in the nursery again today and things went even smoother because they weren’t other volunteers there today.  I specifically got to spend some one on one time with a little girl I was with last time that we call “kuku” and I also spent time with a little boy named Leonardo.  Kuku and I went to the pre-school with the older kids for a bit and I tried to get her to learn animal names and they we spent time coloring.  I just sat with Leonardo and pushed him in a stroller because he has a cracked femur and a big cast and it’s apparent that is often in a lot of pain.  I was glad to see he was in a cast because last Tuesday the poor boy couldn’t be moved or touched without screeching out in pain so while it’s sad that his bones are so frail I’m glad that he’s getting taking care of.

            One of the most important things that I learned today are many of the children’s names in the nursery and their ages.  The oldest boy in the nursery is Leonardo who is four.  I also found out Kuku has a sister who is in the pre-school aged group and she is not HIV positive which was a hopeful thing to hear.  I was also surprised to find out that there are a handful of children who’s parents come to see them or even take them out occasionally.  This leaves me with mixed feelings.  On one hand it’s wonderful for the children to know their parents.  However, on the other hand they are exposed to so, so many people that I’m afraid it confuses them more or will leave them disappointed.  They latch onto anyone who gives them attention yet none of the children know my name because they all instinctively call a woman who gives them some attention and care “momma.”

            Today I discovered that some of the caregivers have incredible stories as well as the children.  I would like to learn more about their lives too and what has brought them to the House.  I think all of these things will come as I continue to spend time at the House.  Everyone seems open and willing to talk so I just need to take the first step and ask the different people working at the House questions.  I also just need to learn more about HIV and AIDs in general because I don’t know what symptoms and side effects come from AIDs and am interested to know more.  I know some research could easily answer some of those questions.

9 February 2010

            Today was fantastic.  I had the opportunity to spend some real one on one time with a little boy named Cedriano.  I learned today that he is four and has depression; I didn’t know that it was possible for a child that young to be depressed.  However it makes sense as I have not yet heard him talk and today was the first time I saw him smile.  I took him off into a separate room to spend time with just him to do puzzles and read.  He did really well with the puzzles and seemed to enjoy the stories.  I was hoping to get some response from him during these things but did not.  However a little later after snack when we were trying to get the kids to burn off energy he actually ran around with the other kids and I chased him down and he starting laughing so hard.  Words cannot describe the overwhelming feeling of happiness I had.  After playing with him I played with Kuku who I’ve spent quite a bit of time with and she made me laugh harder than I have laughed since I’ve been here.  She was just jumping on me and kissing me like crazy, it felt so wonderful!  I was so happy to learn how to communicate with Cedriano and am so anxious to continue to learn more ways to communicate with all of the kids.

            I think the biggest lesson I learned today was not to give up on these kids, ever.  I got the impression that Cedriano was sad and adjusting and just wasn’t very happy and that was just the way it is, but I found that by trying extra hard there was a happy little boy that wanted to get out.  He was only laughing and smiling for a short time but it happened.

            Today our group discussed ideas about how to spend our fundraising money.  We are realizing the need at the House and Pendla elementary school are enormous, even with the $7,000 dollars we have raised so I want to learn what the House really, really needs.  I also want to learn what things would be the most substantial and ongoing types of things for the House.  I imagine I will learn this by continuing to pay attention to what I see and talking to the kids, and the matron.  I do know that however the money is spent it will be used well and that is really exciting and encouraging.