Tuesday:
Today was our day out with the medical team. Unfortunately we didn't get a chance to go to a colony today because Dr. Susan had to stay on campus, but it definitely turned into a high because instead we got to take about 10 of the kids from the school to the dentist. For the most part, it was a relatively low key trip because all the volunteers did was sit outside in the waiting room and wait for our child we were responsible for. The cool thing about this trip was getting a chance to just sit and talk with other volunteers and just spend time with each other. It was also fun getting a chance to converse with the dentists and hygienists that were outside. They were all so confused why a bunch of Americans would be just hanging out at the dentist office, but they fully enjoyed getting to talk to us and watch us make our woven bracelets. Even though we felt like we didn't actually do that much, we realize how important it was for us to be there to give the kids the support that they needed. However, I was actually very impressed with how brave all of them were, even Joseph Stalin, who will have to come back in tomorrow to get a root canal procedure done. It was an awesome excursion just getting to spend time with the kids.
Wednesday:
Today was our last day getting to do construction work in Bharatlapurum. Our goal for this session was to get all the necessary materials to their designated spots so that construction could begin on the bathrooms, and today was no exception. Of all the things that we have to transport, cinderblock, brick, rocks, and sand, I would say that sand has to be the least fun of all these to move. Today was especially difficult because of many miscommunications on the part of the colony leader which near the end of moving hundreds of basins of sand asked us to move another hundred that he didn't tell us at the beginning had to be moved that day. This was not easily received by our group, but knowing that we make the work much easier for the workers in the colony made it much easier to push through our tiredness and get the job done. By the end of our working day, we all sat with our ice cream from the junction in hand and felt satisfied with the work we completed that day.
Playtime is always such a fun time for us as volunteers. Especially as we spend these last few precious days with the children, we try to mentally take a picture of everything they do so we can always remember all the incredible times we have with them. Today one of the volunteers brought chalk to playtime. It is so much fun to watch all the little boys and girls draw all over the cement in front of their hostel and then rub the chalk all over their hands and faces. I have never seen such happy and colorful faces since being here. You would think that each child just won the lottery with the look on their face and their excitement as they held their own piece of chalk and began covering the ground with flowers, rockets, shapes, and random squigglys. It was one of those special playtimes that looking back will always be prominent in my mind.
One thing that has started becoming one of our favorite parts of our day with the kids is family time right before bed. I love getting to help the older boys with their homework and see the pride on their faces when we praise them for getting an answer right. But our favorite part of family time is getting to sing the kids to sleep. Jordan and I will lay next to them and tickle their backs as we sing songs like, "Tender Shepherd", "Edelweiss", "America the Beautiful", and lots of primary songs. Laying their watching Jordan sing to the boys as they are asleep was such a neat experience for me because it just showed me what a special attachment he has with them like they almost are our own kids in a way. It makes me very excited for the day when we will have a family of our own because he will be such an incredible father. Don't worry family, we are not making any plans anytime soon:) Anyway, this whole day despite the frustrations was really one incredible day, but then again, being at Rising Star, everyday is an incredible day when we allow it to be.
Today was our day out with the medical team. Unfortunately we didn't get a chance to go to a colony today because Dr. Susan had to stay on campus, but it definitely turned into a high because instead we got to take about 10 of the kids from the school to the dentist. For the most part, it was a relatively low key trip because all the volunteers did was sit outside in the waiting room and wait for our child we were responsible for. The cool thing about this trip was getting a chance to just sit and talk with other volunteers and just spend time with each other. It was also fun getting a chance to converse with the dentists and hygienists that were outside. They were all so confused why a bunch of Americans would be just hanging out at the dentist office, but they fully enjoyed getting to talk to us and watch us make our woven bracelets. Even though we felt like we didn't actually do that much, we realize how important it was for us to be there to give the kids the support that they needed. However, I was actually very impressed with how brave all of them were, even Joseph Stalin, who will have to come back in tomorrow to get a root canal procedure done. It was an awesome excursion just getting to spend time with the kids.
Wednesday:
Today was our last day getting to do construction work in Bharatlapurum. Our goal for this session was to get all the necessary materials to their designated spots so that construction could begin on the bathrooms, and today was no exception. Of all the things that we have to transport, cinderblock, brick, rocks, and sand, I would say that sand has to be the least fun of all these to move. Today was especially difficult because of many miscommunications on the part of the colony leader which near the end of moving hundreds of basins of sand asked us to move another hundred that he didn't tell us at the beginning had to be moved that day. This was not easily received by our group, but knowing that we make the work much easier for the workers in the colony made it much easier to push through our tiredness and get the job done. By the end of our working day, we all sat with our ice cream from the junction in hand and felt satisfied with the work we completed that day.
One thing that has started becoming one of our favorite parts of our day with the kids is family time right before bed. I love getting to help the older boys with their homework and see the pride on their faces when we praise them for getting an answer right. But our favorite part of family time is getting to sing the kids to sleep. Jordan and I will lay next to them and tickle their backs as we sing songs like, "Tender Shepherd", "Edelweiss", "America the Beautiful", and lots of primary songs. Laying their watching Jordan sing to the boys as they are asleep was such a neat experience for me because it just showed me what a special attachment he has with them like they almost are our own kids in a way. It makes me very excited for the day when we will have a family of our own because he will be such an incredible father. Don't worry family, we are not making any plans anytime soon:) Anyway, this whole day despite the frustrations was really one incredible day, but then again, being at Rising Star, everyday is an incredible day when we allow it to be.
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