Thursday, August 23, 2012

Not even done with the first week...

...and this place is incredible. The other volunteers [which consist of ten new year-longs (two boys and eight girls, with two from Germany) and five returnees] are just stupendous! Seriously we have so much fun together and we have only known each other for a handful of days and we act as though we have known each other for ages. This week we have created "T Time" where we all get together and watch Game of Thrones --- a bit of a scandalous show, I must say --- and I cannot wait to continue this tradition.

This week has been a bit overwhelming though:

  • We have had orientation every day and we have chatted about why we decided to be a part of the Centro del Muchacho Trabajador [CMT], what we expect to get out of this experience and much more. I came to the conclusion that I wanted to give back, work on my spanish skills, and make a difference in another's life. What I want to get out of this journey is to know that I had a role in bettering someone's life - even if it is only one person. Madre Miguel, Madre Cindy and Padre Juan really wanted to stress the concept and ideology of community and commitment; these two terms are the foundation of this project. One cannot be a part of the community, be it the community of volunteers or the CMT community, without commitment. Simple terms which create a beautiful connection between people! 
  • On Tuesday, we did home visits of a few of the families that belong to the center and one word to describe my thoughts/emotions: WOW. These families live north in the mountains, from 40-60 minute transmit to one of the three centers [Cotocollao - where we live, La Marin & La Gota de Leche].  And these "homes" were not homes at all...they were brick or concrete rooms, with a tin roof, with one or two beds that house families of six or more. Yet, although the "houses" are not much, these families are very proud of what the own, which is quite inspiring...and VERY humbling.  
  • Today was the day that we got our schedules of what we will be teaching. HOLY MOTHER OF THE EARTH!!! If I thought college was bad - my day will start around 5:45 or 6AM and go until 8PM when I am done with teaching.  Lawwwwwdddddd have mercy on my soul. Yes, there are breaks, but I have a full day. Take a looksies:
    • LUNES:
      • 8-10AM
        • Special Ed
      • 11:30-12:15
        • Beginners English (Boys)
      • 2-3PM
        • Level 2 English (Girls)
      • 3-4PM
        • Bathrooms (Girls) --- to make sure they are taking showers [children get to shower at the center every day to sustain a healthy life]
      • 4-4:50
        • Girls Work --- crafting and such to teach business 
      • 5-6PM
        • Beginners English (Boys)
      • 7-8PM
        • Adult Ed
    • MARTES:
      • 8-10AM
        • Special Ed
      • 11:30-12:15
        • Beginners English (Boys)
      • 2-3PM
        • Level 2 English (Girls)
      • 3-4PM
        • Bathrooms (Girls) --- to make sure they are taking showers [children get to shower at the center every day to sustain a healthy life]
      • 4-4:50
        • Girls Work --- crafting and such to teach business 
      • 4:55-5:40
        • 4th Grade Phys Ed
      • 7-8PM
        • Adult Ed 
    • MIERCOLES:
      • 8-9AM
        • Special Ed
      • 9:30-11:45
        • Informatica (5-7th grade) --- computer skills (i.e. using Word and such)
      • 2-3PM
        • Level 2 English (Girls)
      • 3-4PM
        • Bathrooms (Girls) --- to make sure they are taking showers [children get to shower at the center every day to sustain a healthy life]
      • 4-4:50
        • Girls Work --- crafting and such to teach business 
      • 5-6PM
        • Beginners English (Boys)
      • 7-8PM
        • Adult Ed
    • JUEVES:
      • 8-10AM
        • Special Ed
      • 11:30-12:15
        • Beginners English (Boys)
      • 2-3PM
        • Level 2 English (Girls)
      • 3-4PM
        • Bathrooms (Girls) --- to make sure they are taking showers [children get to shower at the center every day to sustain a healthy life]
      • 4-4:50
        • Girls Work --- crafting and such to teach business 
      • 4:55-5:40
        • 4th Grade Phys Ed
      • 7-8PM
        • Adult Ed 
    • VIERNES:
      • 8-10AM
        • Special Ed
      • 11:30-12:15
        • Beginners English (Boys)
      • 2-3PM
        • Level 2 English (Girls)
      • 3-4PM
        • Bathrooms (Girls) --- to make sure they are taking showers [children get to shower at the center every day to sustain a healthy life]
      • 4-4:50
        • Girls Work --- crafting and such to teach business 
      • 5-6PM
        • Beginners English (Boys)
      • 7-8PM
        • Adult Ed
  • Isn't that just the bee's knees!?!?! Not exactly what I was expecting, but I guess there is no turning back now.  So, for all of you out there reading this, please send a little prayer up to the Big Man in Heaven to send me courage and a whole lot of patience!!! 
So, that is all for now - have a big day of teaching me how to be a teacher tomorrow. Again, wish me luck and send up a good word to my main man! 

Love you all and I'll write soonzies :) 



Sunday, August 19, 2012

I'm alive!

Hello all!!!

So...today was the day: I left Milwaukee and am currently in Quito - aka my new home for the year! Although packing [thank you, Mom!] was a doozie --- NEED to remember to not leave packing until the night before  --- everything worked out.  Yes, both my checked bags were over the weight limit (50 pounds), but it is what it is. The question remains: HOW THE HECK DO YOU PACK FOR A YEAR?!?! Anyway, the travel really was not that bad - movies, snackies, friends and naps make the time fly by.

Currently, I am sitting in the break room with Colleen (one of my best grade school friends) and Irene (whom I met on the flight from Atlanta to Quito and she is the bee's knees) - the center seems pretty cool at midnight so I cannot wait to see it tomorrow during the day.  A few other volunteers were still up when we arrived with our 8 million and two bags, so that was a nice little surprise :)

How I am feeling at this moment: today was pretty surreal for me...and to be honest, I am still a bit "shell-shocked", if you will, yet I am surprisingly optimistic. And tomorrow is another [busy] day so I will let you all know how it's going and if I have survived my first day of orientation --- and unpacking!

Wish me luck, because this girl is definitely going to need it.

Much love!