Friday, May 17, 2013

A Good Day

We returned to La Ciudad de la Alegria this morning to find that they were all ready for us. After seeing our students in action yesterday, the staff realized that our group was ready, willing, and able to do whatever needed to be done, and they were right.

One group of students went back to work at the senior care facility where we were yesterday. They were recognized by many of the residents and welcomed as they spent the morning interacting through conversation and games. Our students were able to help the residents with lunch, serving food, feeding some who were unable to feed themselves, and doing clean up afterwards.



A second group went to work sorting, folding, and organizing a mountain of clothes that had been donated by members of the community. These clothes, along with other household supplies, are sold at very reduced rates to people in need. It was hot, grueling work, and we were very proud of all that they accomplished in the hours they were there.  Looking at the before and after photos below, you can see how their organizational work will allow for more space in the storage room and for access to the clothes by those who need them.





The third group of our students went to the primary school to work with the English teachers and their classes. Bingo was the activity for the day, and we went from classroom to classroom working on vocabulary and spelling words with 1st, 5th, and 6th grade girls and 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grade boys. It was great fun to interact with the primary school children and feel of their tremendous energy. The school at this facility starts the students learning English very early in their school careers, and they are very eager to learn and practice their phrases.



We were so pleased with the opportunities that our students had today and we're looking forward to continue with our work next week. Everyone at La Ciudad de la Alegria has been incredibly welcoming and appreciative. It is a facility whose mission emphasizes doing everything with love, caring, and dignity, and we are honored to be a part of that.

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